The 29 year-old cinema's modernisation cost a total of DKK 2,5m (€336,000) thanks to investments from Århus municipality, the Danish Film Institute and Paradisets Engle, the association reuniting over 100 ‘friends' of the cinema. The seats capacity for the four-screen cinema has been slightly reduced (from 314 to 227) but as stressed by Uffe Sloth Andersen, "the audience will now have more space to fully enjoy the cinema experience".
Part of the MEDIA programme Europa Cinema network, Øst for Paradis specialises in quality art-house films (mainstream or more specialised) provided by local distributors or directly acquired for domestic distribution. "We import around 20 films per year that we distribute in around three cinemas nationwide", explains Andersen. Recent acquisitions include the French film Je ne suis pas là pour être aimé by Stephane Brizé set to open on August 17, and the twin films by Iceland's Ragnar Bragason Children and Parents scheduled for a Danish release in October and November respectively.
Commenting on the misfortunes of Swedish colleague Mattias Nohrborg with Astoria Cinemas and Triangel Film, Andersen said: "we're very sad for him. It is very difficult nowadays to run arthouse cinemas. We know we lose money on many films and need more mainstream films to make up for those losses. If we don't get these, we are desperate to get other financial support. The Danish Film Institute gives us a DKK 350.000 grant per year, but we would certainly need more. Many high quality feature films that we release reach only a small audience, but have a big influence on those who see them, including other filmmakers. It is important to show these films for film education and culture, so governments in Denmark and Sweden should do more to support arthouse cinemas."