UGC des Bassins à Flot, “a cinema where light comes in from all sides”

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Bordeaux: Dive into the construction site of the new UGC Bassins à Flot cinema – 20 minutes

  • The Cité Ciné des Bassins à Flot UGC will be the third UGC in the Bordeaux conurbation.
  • It should open on June 30, for the Fête du cinéma.
  • With this equipment of 13 rooms and 2,400 seats, UGC hopes to achieve 650,000 admissions per year.

Bringing light into a cinema… It’s rare enough to be underlined. The brightness, however, is what strikes you when you enter the cathedral hall of the new UGC, whose construction is ending in the Bassins à Flot district. “It’s a cinema where light comes in from all sides,” warns its director, Damien Gérard. But no worries, the 13 rooms of this new equipment, for 2,394 seats, will be plunged in the dark, to ensure sessions in peace in this new district in the north of Bordeaux.

The new UGC Cité Ciné des Bassins à Flot in Bordeaux, is located at the log of rue Lucien Faure – Mickaà «l Bosredon / 20 Minutes

Ten years after the genesis of the project, three years after the start of the works, this new equipment is finally emerging from the ground. Despite the appeals filed against him, in particular by the Utopia cinema or the municipalities of Eysines and Blanquefort. “These appeals were rejected, sweeps today Damien Gérard, the director of the cinema. We bring a new offer, with cultural facilities in a new district, and there is room for everyone, without harming the existing facilities, ”he assures us.

Screens ranging from 10 to 18 meters

20 minutes was able to visit the construction site in the process of being completed, of this immense building signed by the architects
Hardel and Le Bihan. Located along rue Lucien Faure, in place of the former Hangar 27 demolished in 2018, the facility offers 7,500 m2 of surface area and… 200 meters in length. The last armchairs are being screwed in, and the screens installed. “The rooms will have capacities ranging from 100 to 360 seats for the largest, the size of the screens will vary from 10 to 18 meters, we will be on 7.1 sound and laser projectors” explains the director of the cinema, Damien Gérard, who insists on the effort focused on the comfort of spectators.

Behind each screen are four speakers
Behind each screen are four speakers – Mickaà «l Bosredon / 20 Minutes

Along the very long corridor which serves the thirteen rooms aligned on one level, terraces also allow light to enter, and offer a sumptuous view of the district and its “marina” as well as of the submarine base. Damien Gérard is convinced that the Bassins à Flot will soon give its full potential. “I am very optimistic about the fact that this district will become a place of walk for the Bordelais, in particular thanks to this body of water which is I think unique in France”, he assures.

The reception hall of the new Bassins à Flot UGC
The reception hall of the new Bassins à Flot UGC – Mickaà «l Bosredon / 20 Minutes

“Incredible opportunity”

“For us,” he continues, “coming to this new Bassins à Flot district was an incredible opportunity to become a major cultural player in the area, which is already very rich with the Bassins de Lumière, the City of Wine, the museum. marine sea… ”

The UGC group is also strengthening its position in the Bordeaux conurbation, since it is already present in Bordeaux and Talence. “We are going to shine in the surrounding neighborhoods, but we also hope to attract customers from the center, the right bank and the other side of the ring road. “A car park located right next to the cinema will open soon,” with which we will offer an attractive parking offer for our spectators. “Ultimately, the Cité Ciné des Bassins à Flot UGC is aiming for 650,000 admissions per year, while that of Bordeaux achieves 850,000 admissions and Talence 400,000.

UGC “very optimistic” for the end of this year

It remains to be seen how the public will react in this time of health crisis. “When I see the success that our theaters had on Wednesday for the reopening, I am not worried,” announces Damien Gérard. The UGC of Bordeaux made 1,772 admissions, that of Talence 537. At the national level, UGC has a total of 42,000 admissions.

“We achieved scores equivalent to a period like this one outside the crisis, when we had gauges at 35% and three or four sessions a day because of the curfew! This shows the public’s desire to come back to theaters. And the positive consequence of this crisis is that there has never been such a choice of films. “

UGC is aiming for an inauguration on June 30, for the Fête du cinéma. “This should be the start of a period without curfew, without gauge, and with a bloated offer, hopes Damien Gérard. We are therefore very optimistic, and we can have an incredible end to the year in terms of attendance. “



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