Trust cinema Tina Jalali wrote in Etamad newspaper:
Every time the question of increasing the price of cinema tickets is raised, there are many negative and questioning reactions around this issue in the virtual space, and this issue is accompanied by many pros and cons, but strangely, it is not about the huge prices of concerts, shows and some theaters. Only the smallest point is not brought up, which is very welcome. Of course, cinema is a more popular and public art, but it seems that there are many sensitivities only on the cinema ticket.
For a few days now, the controversial issue of increasing the price of cinema tickets has been raised in cyberspace, and the issue of removing half-price tickets has also been raised.
We had a conversation with Ali Sartipi, a cinema producer, the CEO of Koroosh Cinema Campus, the head of the Iran VOD Association and a member of the Supreme Council of Producers, and asked his opinion about this issue that is before you.
Mr. Sertipi, there has been a discussion about the increase in the price of cinema tickets for a few days now, please tell me, are cinema tickets going to be more expensive?
Cinema tickets should definitely become more expensive. I really don’t know why in the previous government or in the government of Mr. Medzikian, they are careful to increase the price of cinema tickets and gasoline. You see, for one or two years now, the price of cinema tickets is the same as in previous years, 80,000 and 60,000. It is Tomans, but production costs have increased three or four times in the last one or two years. In my opinion, the ticket price of 80 or 60 thousand Tomans remains a joke. And they don’t take into account the efforts of cinema people, and as someone who has worked in cinema for many years, I don’t understand that all the costs of the country go up daily, but hourly, but everyone is sensitive about the cinema ticket, it’s been two years now that the ticket price Cinemas have not been added at all, and cinema owners are not supported in the slightest, and subsidies are not given. There is a time when prices and the level of inflation are stable, then if they say why tickets are expensive. They may be right, but not now when the prices and expenses in the country are increasing every hour. Even the salaries and wages are increasing, evaluate the health costs yourself, the cost of cinema production has increased tenfold, the technical equipment of the cinema was bought for 50 million until yesterday, now the same equipment is bought for 1 billion tomans. After all, why do gentlemen ignore the efforts and capital of cinema people?
Did you mean gasoline?
Yes, the price of gasoline has not increased for several years, you can see the crowding of the streets, the increase in cars has become really staggering, but if the price of gasoline does not increase, the government will subsidize it, but the cinema ticket, which does not increase, is from the pocket of the cinema owner, broadcaster and producer. Payment and expenses are accepted through Cinemadar. Of course, I must also say that I completely agree that the price increase should be calculated and people should not be bothered, but about cinema tickets, I really wonder why they are so sensitive.
If we want to make an assessment, the price of theater and music tickets is also expensive, but there is no discussion about it.
The price of a concert ticket is one million and it is immediately filled with the audience, see the concert theater price for yourself, it starts from 200 thousand tomans to one million…
Of course, consider that cinema is a people’s art.
Yes, I agree, but should we be able to breathe or not? Should cinema owners be able to manage themselves or not? Let me give you an example, now the price of popcorn that is sold in the lobby of the movie theater is 80 thousand tomans and it is more expensive than the price of a cinema ticket, while three years ago the price of popcorn was half of a cinema ticket or the production of a low-budget film without actors is 20 billion tomans. It costs money, the production of a low-budget film with an actor is at least 30 billion tomans, my question is, shouldn’t these costs be returned to the owners at the box office?
Now tell me, when is the cinema ticket price going to increase?
We have made this proposal since the beginning of this year, but the answer given to us is that “we will definitely check the eye.” I don’t know when it is going to be implemented. But what is certain is that the price of the cinema ticket should be increased by the cinema owner himself, which means that at one time the cinema manager recognizes that there is a lot of demand and increases the price of the cinema ticket. Bring down the cinema, all over the world prices are based on supply and demand.
Of course, the subject of floating cinema ticket plan is also discussed with the Ministry of Guidance.
Yes, we proposed that the price of cinema tickets should be based on the discretion of the cinema manager. You see, whatever happens in the country, its first impact is seen on cinema; Air pollution, cinemas are closed, public mourning, cinemas are closed, mourning ceremonies, cinemas are closed, sometimes cinemas are closed 5 days a week, but no one supports the cinematographer, we spend at least 150 million tomans per day on Cyrus cinema. Who will compensate these losses?
Is it supported by the authorities?
There is no help, Cinema Shahr must fulfill its duties towards the cinema that does not provide services. Farabi Foundation, which supports a series of special films that do not sell at all at the box office. We are not against the production of some films, but in any case, profitability is important for cinema.
Is the half-price ticket price going to be removed?
No, the half-price ticket was on Tuesdays, which will not be removed in any way, but it is optional for Mondays in cinemas, for example, we are still half-price in Lotus Mall and other cinemas, but each cinema can give half-price tickets depending on its discretion. . But Tuesdays are not removed at all.
Mr. Brigadier, how do you see the state of cinema for the next year? Many comedies have been released this year, have any good comedy films been produced for the next year and cinema turnover?
From now on, I promise that, God willing, next year will be a good year for cinema, we have both good social films and comedy films.
Do you have a film in the festival this year?
Unfortunately no.
Do you have a suggestion for the director and organizers of Fajr 43 Film Festival?
I think we will have a different festival this year, there are good films coming, but my suggestion to the officials of Fajr Film Festival is that the festival should serve screenings, cinema and increase the audience.