La Clef, Parisian arthouse cinema, about to be bought by the collective that defended it

“La Clef Revival”, the collective for the defense of the La Clef cinema which occupied the Parisian theater for more than two years, announced on Wednesday April 26 that it had signed a purchase agreement and is relaunching a call for donations to raise 600,000 euros, hoping to reopen in January 2024.

The collective concluded an agreement before a notary to buy the premises with an area of ​​800 m² for 2.9 million euros, against 4.2 million at the start. The purchase agreement is valid for six months. In the meantime, to complete a guaranteed bank loan, the collective is calling on potential donors to raise 600,000 euros. A fundraising campaign aimed at the general public, still in progress, has already collected 200,000 euros. Sponsors, including personalities from the 7th art, have already contributed 600,000 euros. “In total, we have already reached 80% of the objective. We still have to raise 600,000 euros”, pwe recite on the site of the collective.

A sum to be collected before October 26

“It’s the start of the countdown: the endowment fund must raise the entire sum before October 26, 2023”underline the representatives of the collective “to make this neighborhood cinema a common good, which will allow it to be permanently removed from speculative pressures”.

In view of the finalization of the takeover and the reopening, an agreement has been finalized with the National Cinema Center (CNC) to set up a ticket office at free prices, according to the philosophy of the defense collective.

From September 2019 to March 2022, this arthouse cinema located in the Latin Quarter, the last associative hall in Paris, had been occupied by a group of citizens and film enthusiasts – ultimately expelled – opposed to a real estate operation which would have led to his disappearance. The Caisses d’Epargne works council owns the premises.

Call for donations relayed by Martin Scorsese

The filmmakers and actors Mathieu Amalric, Olivier Assayas, Robin Campillo, Leos Carax, Alain Cavalier, Agnès Jaoui and even the American director Martin Scorsese are among the supporters and donors of the “La Clef Revival” collective.

“In recent years, La Clef has been occupied by people devoted to the art of cinema. The owners want to sell it without worrying too much about what will become of this hall so appreciated at a time when it is increasingly difficult for cinemas to survive. To all members of La Clef Revival, know that the filmmakers here in the United States, support you”the American filmmaker said in a video appeal for donations made public on Wednesday.

The reopening project includes daily screenings but also image education workshops, an associative café and a scriptwriting residency.