As we watch a new “norm” that COVID-19 has produced, the age of entertainment is steadily shifting. This new standard is affecting many facets of our lives, including culture, entertainment, and the arts. Outdoor cinemas have become a new trend since they provide a perfect illustration of social separation yet allow people to enjoy entertainment and films in general. As more indoor locations become less welcoming in the aftermath of Covid-19, theaters are moving in this new direction. But which country will take this initiative and put it into action on a large scale? It has to be the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and more especially Abu Dhabi!
During the month of March, The Garden at Deerfields Mall’s Alfresco Cinema will have two movies per night on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Shoppers who spend Dhs50 per person anywhere in the mall will gain access for free. Additionally, there are also over 100 beanbags and a dedicated VIP seating area for Deer Club members.
But, apart from that, what more is required to enjoy a film? Of course, the answer is food! That’s why a variety of food trucks will be on hand to provide big-screen drinks as well as popcorn. Movies such as Pixar’s Incredibles 2, the Kung Fu Panda trilogy, and The Lion King will be available to watch, providing audiences with a new opportunity to revisit their favorite films from the past.
This is an idea that should be implemented in many places of the Middle East since we will eventually have to learn to live with COVID-19, and social distancing is always the key to minimizing infection rates. Hence, cinema is an important component of art, and we should all work to keep it alive in whatever form it takes!