Sokolov is insulating the municipal cinema Alfa, it will also change its external decor

Relief by F. Paclík - photo: J. Gordon

Sokolov - The city of Sokolov is insulating the Alfa cinema from its own resources. In addition to a new facade, the cinema will also receive new air conditioning and some windows. The original sculpture adorning the cinema wall will also be replaced with modern and partially provocative graffiti, said Jan Picka, director of the City House of Culture, which the cinema belongs to.
    "Originally, we had agreed that the city would secure financing from a grant we wanted to apply for, but because the conditions of the grant keep changing, we agreed that the city would carry out the project from its own resources," said Picka. The estimated costs for insulation and other adjustments to the cinema are 9.5 million crowns.
    However, the change in the cinema's decor is likely to spark discussion. The original sculpture had to give way to the insulation. "We discovered that the sculpture by František Paclík is so valuable that it would be a shame to devalue it. Initially, we talked with a gallery in Cheb, but the gallery wanted us to remove the sculpture at our own expense, transport it, and lend it for free, which we did not agree to," described Picka.
    The sculpture will thus be moved from the exterior facade to the interior of the cinema. In its place, two walls of the cinema will feature graffiti by graphic designer Helena Čubová. The larger graffiti, dominated by a quote from the song "The End" by The Doors, connects themes of café life with film and music.