by MATTHEW HAYS

Something seemed slightly out of order last week as the Cinéma du Parc’s December–January schedule hit the stands. The films looked great, the programming still seemed solid by most rep-house standards, but there also appeared to be a dearth of exclusive alternative premieres, something that’s become a Parc specialty.

In noticing these changes, it seems I was not alone. And there were other changes I hadn’t noticed, namely another price hike, from $9 up to $10 (for adults attending premieres). Several e-mails arrived, a couple of their authors sounding quite irritated, what with the inflation and what seems to be less movies to choose from.

Moore or less?

The schedule in question boasts three movies at the top of the roster, including Almodovar’s Talk to Her, Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York and Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine. Trouble with these movies are, the first two will be screening all over the place anyway and the final one has already been playing about town for months. Don’t get me wrong, these are hardly films I’ve got anything against; I adored Talk to Her and Columbine, having caught them both at the Toronto International Film Fest in September (both are almost certainly destined for my annual top-10 list - stay tuned!), and being a committed Scorsesephile, can’t wait to see Gangs. But these three films can hardly be thought of as alternative fare. They’re neither rare nor difficult to access, things I tend to think of as basic staples of good rep and arthouse cinema programming.

Neither Don Lobel nor Mitch Davis (current co-programmers at the Parc) would comment to me about all this, but rather referred me to chief programmer Claude Chamberlan for answers. The man behind programming at Ex-Centris and the cofounder of the New Film Fest says that aficionados of Parc’s traditionally nutty and alternative fare shouldn’t panic for a second. While acknowledging that “certain things have to change,” Chamberlan insists the Parc remains on track, its basic spirit intact.

“This was simply a matter of budget, expenses and revenue,” says Chamberlan. “Overall, it’s still very cheap. Students can still get in for $7. We’ve introduced the $6 weekday matinée, which is new. We do need to turn a bit of a profit, and the Parc has been on the edge for some time.”

Chamberlan points to long, costly repairs and renovations done to the Parc since Ex-Centris founder and multimedia mogul, Daniel Langlois, bought it two years ago. “There was a great deal to do, and there still is,” says Chamberlan, saying the costs have been close to a million. Changes have included new sound systems, new, comfier seats and a revamped lobby. (Patrons may also have noted that the washrooms don’t reek as badly as they did before - an added, classy touch.)

Mass appeal

Chamberlan adds the bottom line is still quality, and always will be. “Bowling for Columbine is a great film. The only way we can pay for the more alternative fare is to balance it out with the kinds of films that can draw people in. We have to think of widespread appeal. Though Gangs of New York will be playing elsewhere, the Parc will be the only place to screen it with French subtitles, helping to pull in French filmgoers who may not know about the Parc. This will help broaden our audience base. We all have to make a living, after all.”

Part of making a living this time around includes the deal with Alliance-Atlantis, Canada’s largest film distributor - thus the lengthy runs of both Bowling and Gangs. “Films like these bring in three times as many customers,” says Chamberlan. “That’s what’s going to level your expenses. Look, I know lots of the people who used to run repertory cinemas in this city, and I know why they went under. I almost went bankrupt myself a few times. It’s not a secret, and I think this is reasonable.”

Chamberlan also promises that the Parc’s popular late-night cult program, “Parc After Dark,” will remain intact. “Of course,” he insists. “We’re really changing very little.

“Compare us to the AMC or Paramount. We’re still the cheapest movie date in town.” :

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