Ron Sterk, director of JT Cinemas, does not want to call it an experiment. He is too confident of its success for that. According to him, however, it is unique in the Netherlands: a commercial cinema and an independently operating arthouse under one roof. In the mega cinema that JT - the second cinema chain in the Netherlands - in Alkmaar is building will also come the new rooms of the Filmhuis Alkmaar. After some two years of negotiations, among themselves and with the municipality, both parties signed the agreement on Wednesday 16 December under the building lights.
Many in the industry will no doubt be curious to see how this turns out. As we reported earlier, the road has been long and bumpy. According to Sterk, plans for a cinema complex to replace the current Harmonie have been brewing for about 20 years. The Film House has also been struggling with too cramped and outdated accommodation for a long time. The planned YXIE cultural centre was dropped at the last minute called off. The then Film house Provadja saw no point in the municipality's desired move to JT and dissolved itself. Volunteers ensured a restart under the name Filmhuis Alkmaar at the same location and with a new foundation that did enter into talks with JT.
So now it is going to happen after all. The new JT Cinema will have 7 theatres with a total of 1,500 seats. In the same complex, the Filmhuis will get 3 theatres, with a total of 250 seats. The Filmhuis rents the rooms and facilities from JT and operates as an independent company with its own entrance, box office, catering and its own programming. However, there is regular consultation with JT to avoid duplication.
With two small rooms, the now very cramped Filmhuis can finally make the switch to three comfortable rooms with state-of-the-art technology. The foyer will have plenty of room for video presentations, including work by local artists, and there will be a small stage for music or stand-up comedy.
A plus point for the municipality is that this new complex can give a boost to the desired development of the Overstad district located next to the city centre. When asked, Sterk states that by cooperating on the Film House's relocation, consultations with the municipality on its own plans went much more smoothly. Apart from that, he welcomes the cooperation because he sees a lot of fragmentation and missed opportunities in the Netherlands. "After all, we are all about film," he says.
The budget of the Filmhuis is not yet completely balanced, but chairman Pieter Schotte is confident that with help from the municipality, sponsors and friends it will succeed. The current Filmhuis runs only with volunteers; in the new constellation, six to seven professionals will be needed in addition to volunteers, Schotte estimates. After the relaunch two years ago, the Filmhuis already saw annual attendance rise from around 20,000 to 38,000 this year. Schotte expects it to reach 60,000 or more in the new premises. "Then we can run subsidy-free," he says.
At least in the JT section, Ron Sterk expects 350,000 visitors a year.
JT Cinema Alkmaar will open its doors in February 2016. The Filmhuis will follow a month later.
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