The Imperial, one of the oldest movie theaters in Montreal, could close its doors. Quebecor, which has been maintaining this heritage building for six years, will end its financial support as of January 31, its renovation project having not received assistance from the federal government.
The Cinéma Impérial has been managed since 1995 by a non-profit organization headed by the founder of the former Montreal World Film Festival, Serge Losique, who notably used the room for screenings during the event.
Everything threatened to collapse in 2017, when the businessman was riddled with debt – an episode which also led to the disappearance of the FFM. The Imperial Cinema was also threatened with closure, but Quebecor had provided significant financial support, allowing the non-profit organization to partially repay its creditors and save the theater at the last minute.
Quebecor says it has since injected $8.5 million to safeguard the facilities, with a view to ensuring that its plan to restore the building on rue De Bleury receives the support of different levels of government. Quebec has already committed to supporting the company’s project to the tune of $5.6 million, and Quebecor expected Ottawa to provide a similar envelope. But despite several years of representation, the financial participation announced by the federal government is far from the mark, it was indicated in a press release, without specifying the amount.
Without sufficient government support, Quebecor will therefore stop financing the activities of the Imperial Cinema as of January 31, which once again threatens the survival of the premises. “The Imperial Cinema will have to end its activities. Quebec has already lost a large number of heritage buildings due to dilapidation. If the preservation of built heritage is a real priority, a fair share between public and private contributions is essential and is essential to the realization of projects of this importance,” Benoit Clermont, member of the council, said in a press release. of directors of the non-profit organization which manages the place.
An important venue
This non-profit organization is still officially headed by Serge Losique but, in fact, several personalities linked to Quebecor have joined the board of directors over the years. Mr. Clermont is also the president of Production Déferlantes, a major television production company in which Groupe TVA is a shareholder.
Pierre Karl Péladeau’s company planned to carry out major work to modernize the building built in 1913 and designated as a heritage building due to its “super palace” type architecture, in particular. Quebecor hoped to broaden its vocation and make it a performance hall welcoming all artistic disciplines. The Cinéma Impérial currently hosts several events, such as Présence indigenous, the Festival du nouveau cinéma, Cinemania and the Montreal International Documentary Meetings.
“Beyond its heritage, the Imperial Cinema is an important place of cultural dissemination for producers, cultural partners, creators, artists and the public. It is an emblematic place which has all the necessary potential to further strengthen the vitality of the Quartier des spectacles,” argued Benoit Clermont, calling on the federal government to review its decision.