Paris’ historic La Clef cinema, a beloved cultural landmark, has been saved from closure following a grueling five-year battle. This victory, pivotal in preserving a vital piece of Parisian culture, was made possible thanks to the significant support from renowned filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino, David Lynch, and Celine Sciamma. The substantial, no-strings-attached donations will not only enable the community-run cinema to purchase its physical property but will also fund essential renovations, ensuring La Clef’s doors remain open to the public.
Located in Paris’ 5th Arrondissement, La Clef has been an integral part of the city’s cultural fabric since its inauguration in 1973. Facing the threat of eviction since 2018, the cinema will now celebrate its hard-won victory with a four-day event from June 27-30, offering free film screenings to the public. This festive celebration marks the beginning of an extensive year-long renovation project aimed at modernizing the beloved venue. The renovation plans include updating the building’s infrastructure and adding a canteen that will double as an event space, further embedding the cinema’s role as a community hub.
The Cinema Revival collective, the dedicated group responsible for operating La Clef, has worked tirelessly to secure the funds necessary to save the cinema. With initial financial support amounting to $430,000 from David Lynch, Celine Sciamma, and other notable figures such as Leos Carax, Agnès Jaoui, and Wang Bing, the collective laid the groundwork for their goal. However, it was the subsequent generous contributions from Quentin Tarantino and French filmmaker Cedric Klapisch that ultimately helped them reach the substantial $2.1 million needed to finalize the purchase of the property’s lease.
Celine Sciamma, a key supporter and board member of the Cinema Revival collective, has been vocal about the broader significance of saving La Clef. She emphasized the importance of preserving La Clef not just as a cinema, but as a crucial cultural institution that fosters creativity and community engagement.
. “We must defend the value of an institution measured less in square meters than by the opportunities for interaction and creativity,” the La Clef board stated, underlining the belief that such cultural spaces are essential to the lifeblood of major cities and should not be displaced by market forces.
La Clef’s rescue comes at a particularly critical time for the French film community, which is currently navigating a landscape marred by political uncertainties and economic challenges. In this context, the collective expressed hope that this positive development would offer inspiration and motivate others. “The grave political context makes it more necessary than ever to have places to meet, think, and build alternatives,” they said, positioning La Clef’s success as a beacon of hope amid the prevailing turmoil.
The story of La Clef is one of resilience and collective effort, demonstrating the power of community and cultural solidarity. Founded nearly five decades ago, the cinema has served as a platform for diverse and alternative cinematic voices, fostering a unique space where audiences can engage with films that might otherwise be sidelined in mainstream venues. The cinema’s programming has always prioritized fostering a dialogue through thought-provoking film selections and post-screening discussions, emphasizing the role of cinema as an educational and reflective medium.
As La Clef moves forward with its renovation plans, the collective envisions a future where the cinema continues to thrive as a meeting place for filmmakers, artists, and cinema lovers. The addition of the canteen/event space is expected to boost the cinema’s role as a cultural hub, making it not just a place to watch films but a vibrant community center for cultural exchange and events.
In essence, the rescue of La Clef is a significant triumph for the Parisian—and indeed, the global—cinematic landscape, highlighting the indispensable role of cultural institutions in enriching society. The support from high-profile filmmakers underscores a shared commitment to preserving spaces where cinema can continue to inspire, challenge, and bring people together. As La Clef prepares to embark on its next chapter, its story stands as a testament to the enduring power of cinema and community action.
