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In a letter to the leaders of the U.S. Senate
and House of Representatives, they said the coronavirus pandemic
had dealt a devastating blow to movie theaters and that without
funds "theaters may not survive the impact of the pandemic."
The letter was signed by more than 70 directors and producers
along with the National Association of Theater Owners, the
Directors Guild of America and the Motion Picture Association.
The pandemic forced movie theaters to close their doors in
mid-March. Big chains including AMC Entertainment and Cineworld
Plc's Regal Cinemas have reopened, with reduced capacity, in
many U.S. cities, but not in the biggest markets of Los Angeles
and New York City.
Efforts to get Americans back into theaters have proved
disappointing, and Hollywood studios have delayed the release of
big movies like "Black Widow" and "Top Gun: Maverick" to 2021.
The letter said that 69% of small and mid-sized movie theater
companies will be forced to file for bankruptcy or close
permanently unless help is forthcoming.
"Cinemas are an essential industry that represent the best that
American talent and creativity have to offer. But now we fear
for their future," the letter said.
Others signing the letter included James Bond movie producers
Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, "Wonder Woman" director
Patty Jenkins, and action movie director-producer Michael Bay.
They asked Congress to redirect unspent funds from the
coronavirus aid package passed earlier this year, or enact new
proposals that would help movie theaters weather the pandemic.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Leslie Adler)
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