Cinemas as social infrastructures - Exhibitors facilitating social interactions

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2024-06-04
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en
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This research investigates to what extent cinemas function as social infrastructures and how cinema exhibitors facilitate this. Taking advantage of an internship at the German cinema and arthouse theatres association HDF KINO in Berlin, a case study was conducted. The findings indicate that facilitating social infrastructures requires materials that provide an aesthetic character that creates comfort, using the space of the cinema in ways that invite social interaction. Exhibitors need the competences to be sensitive towards the audience and create an intimate space where the visitors feel comfortable to socialise. The exhibitors’ work motivation is a very important aspect for creating social infrastructures, as the amount of facilitated social interaction depends on the dedication, creativity and endurance of the exhibitors. Although cinemas are still businesses and need to focus on generating income, exhibitors differ in opinion about how the cinema offers a social aim. This study provides arguments in support of exhibitors and cinema associations to help convince policymakers and funding institutions that cinemas can function as social infrastructures. The study substantiates that cinemas as social infrastructures do not exist alone, but are assemblages consisting of embedded relations and structures which depend on each other.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen