The heart of the Metropolitan Cinema is beating again: after a long period of closure, the historic multiplex on Via Chiaia is preparing to reopen its doors to the public under the management of Circuito Cinema.
The modernization project, carried out in record time, will be completed by the summer, but programming will resume immediately with a packed calendar of events, confirming the Metropolitan's central role in the city's cultural life. The inauguration took place with a special invitation-only event dedicated to Cristina Comencini 's film "Il Treno dei Bambini," attended by writer Viola Ardone and the film's lead actress Barbara Ronchi.
Guests included Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi and representatives of the Campania Region Film Commission , which sponsored the film. To celebrate the reopening, the Metropolitan is offering a promotional ticket price of €5 and a program packed with previews and special events.
The next events
Among the most anticipated moments on Saturday 22 March, the directors and screenwriters Manetti Bros will present US Palmese, a much-appreciated comedy starring Blaise Alfonso and Rocco Papaleo. A true football fairytale, full of emotion and joy, where football is not just a backdrop, but the true beating heart of the story.
Wednesday, March 26th marks the premiere of The House of Looks, directed by and starring Luca Zingaretti. The actor, hugely popular for his role in Montalbano , is here directing his debut film, as well as starring alongside the young Gianmarco Franchini. The film, loosely based on the novel of the same name by Daniele Mencarelli, received rave reviews at the Rome Film Fest.
Spotlight on Friday, March 28: the Metropolitan cinema will host the national preview of Pino, a documentary by Francesco Lettieri about Pino Daniele. It will be the occasion of a vernissage that will involve the entire structure. A real event that will involve, in addition to the director Francesco Lettieri, Alex Daniele and numerous characters present in the film and linked to Pino Daniele.
Saturday, March 29 is dedicated to Queer, the highly anticipated film by Luca Guadagnino: the audience at the Metropolitan will be able to watch a live broadcast of Luca Guadagnino and his wonderful interpreter Daniel Craig, who received unanimous acclaim from audiences and critics at the Venice Film Festival for this film, earning a Golden Globe nomination.
On Tuesday 1st April, David Cronenberg, cult director and absolute master of a mutant and visionary cinema, will connect with the Metropolitan to present the preview of The Shrouds, a film presented at the Cannes Film Festival and starring international stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger and Guy Pearce.
Closing the first round of events will be actor and director Valerio Mastandrea, who will be present in the theater on Thursday, April 3 to accompany his second work: Despite. Previewed as the opening film of the Orizzonti section of the Venice Film Festival, an emotional story dedicated to the memory of his father.
A point of reference for cinema in Naples
The Metropolitan's return is an important signal for the city, as underlined by Andrea Occhipinti , founder of Lucky Red , the main shareholder of Circuito Cinema: "We want the Metropolitan to become the most beautiful cinema in Naples, a vibrant place, full of events and activities. Our connection with Neapolitan filmmakers is strong: from Pappi Corsicato to Mario Martone and Paolo Sorrentino, whom we have produced and distributed. Coming back here is like coming home."
Along the same lines, Gabriele D'Andrea , CEO of Circuito Cinema, stated: "We are honored to return to the city a cinema that is unique in the Italian panorama. We are only halfway through the renovation, but the audience's enthusiasm encourages us to look forward with confidence."
It's nice that the Met is reopening after being closed for so long, but I hope the ticket prices aren't too high. The programming seems interesting and I hope to see some good films. Cinema is important for culture.