They're like enchanted pleasure gardens concealed in the depths of the city that open their gates for a few months every year.
And like so much else, Greece's open-air cinemas — where you can enjoy a movie in the flower-scented moonlight with a drink, a snack and even a smoke — have been hard-hit by lockdown measures.
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In this Monday May 25, 2020 photo Christina Tsouta cleans an old projector on display at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in Athens' central Petralona district. Like so much else, Greece's open-air cinemas, where patrons can enjoy a movie in the flower-scented moonlight with a drink, a snack and even a smoke, have been hard-hit by lockdown measures. Under the country's partial reopening, open-air cinemas started operating on June 1, a month late and with considerable restrictions. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Monday May 25, 2020 photo a cat stands on an old projector on display at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens. Like so much else, Greece's open-air cinemas, where patrons can enjoy a movie in the flower-scented moonlight with a drink, a snack and even a smoke, have been hard-hit by lockdown measures. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Friday May 29, 2020 photo Christina Tsouta, left, cuts leaves as projector operator Pavlos Lepeniotis connects the speakers at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in Athens' central Petralona district. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Friday May 29, 2020 photo Christina Tsouta, left, cuts leaves as projector operator Pavlos Lepeniotis holds the ladder at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Friday May 29, 2020 photo projector operator Pavlos Lepeniotis paints the projection booth at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in Athens' central Petralona district. Under the country's partial reopening after the coronavirus lockdown, open-air cinemas started operating on June 1, a month late and with considerable restrictions: Far fewer seats and no interval, both bad for revenues. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Friday May 29, 2020 photo Christina Tsouta, cleans the screen at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in Athens' central Petralona district. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Friday May 29, 2020 photo a picture depicting American actor James Dean, who died in a 1955 car crash aged 24, stands beneath film reels at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Friday May 29, 2020 film reels are stacked inside a warehouse at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in Athens' central Petralona district. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Friday May 29, 2020 photo, projector operator Pavlos Lepeniotis, left, and his wife Christina Tsouta, place a poster for an upcoming film outside the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Saturday, May 30, 2020 photo, projector operator Pavlos Lepeniotis operates his equipment and peers out from the projection booth at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in Athens' central Petralona district. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Saturday, May 30, 2020 photo, a black and white movie is shown on a screen as projectionist Pavlos Lepeniotis operates his equipment from the projection booth at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona, district in central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Sunday May 31, 2020 photo, owner Meri Panou operates her equipment inside a projection booth at the Dionisia open-air cinema in Athens. Like so much else, Greece's open-air cinemas, where patrons can enjoy a movie in the flower-scented moonlight with a drink, a snack and even a smoke, have been hard-hit by lockdown measures. Under the country's partial reopening, open-air cinemas started operating on June 1, a month late and with considerable restrictions. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris
In this Sunday, May 31, 2020 photo the painted-over screen of the Myrto open-air cinema, abandoned since 1987, is seen in Athens. Thirty years ago, there were roughly 600 such cinemas all over Greece. Social change and technological advance has resulted in just over a hundred currently functioning, several of them protected by heritage laws. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Monday June 1, 2020 photo, Panos and Marianna, the only customers at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens, are seen on the first day the cinema opened after the easing of Greece's coronavirus lockdown. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Tuesday June 2 , 2020, Katerina Dimitrakopoulou, second left, wearing a protective mask sits inside a ticket booth as she speaks with a moviegoer at the Panathinea outdoor cinema, in Neapoli, central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Tuesday June 2 , 2020 photo moviegoers stand next to a painting by Pavlos Karakasidis showing the 2019 movie 'Joker' at the Panathinea open-air cinema, in central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Tuesday June 2, 2020 photo people watch "I would rather not" by stand-up comedians Vironas Theodoropoulos and Michalis Mathioudakis at the Panathinea outdoor cinema, in Neapoli, central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Wednesday, June 3, 2020 photo, an afternoon downpour hits the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Wednesday, June 3, 2020 photo, projector operator Pavlos Lepeniotis checks the quality of a movie film inside a warehouse at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens. Lepeniotis has worked in movie theaters since age 12. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Wednesday, June 3, 2020 photo the Panathinea outdoor cinema in Neapoli, central Athens, is seen in an aerial view as moviegoers watch the 2019 South Korean black comedy film Parasite. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Wednesday, June 3, 2020 photo moviegoers watch the 2019 South Korean black comedy film Parasite at the Panathinea outdoor cinema in Neapoli, central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Thursday June 4 , 2020 photo moviegoers stand outside the entrance of the Thision outdoor summer cinema where moviegoers watch films under the ancient Acropolis. Cine Thision is one of the oldest open-air movie theaters in Athens, built in 1935. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Thursday June 4 , 2020 photo passers by looks at movie notices outside the Thision outdoor summer cinema where moviegoers watch films under the ancient Acropolis. Cine Thision is one of the oldest open-air movie theaters in Athens, built in 1935. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Thursday June 4 , 2020 photo people watch a trailer for the 2019 movie "Pinocchio" at the Thisio outdoor summer cinema as the Ancient Acropolis is seen lit up in the background. Cine Thision is one of the oldest open-air movie theaters in Athens, built in 1935. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
Under the country's partial reopening, open-air cinemas started operating on June 1, a month late and with considerable restrictions: Far fewer seats and no interval, both of which are bad for revenues.
In this Monday May 25, 2020 photo Christina Tsouta cleans an old projector on display at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in Athens' central Petralona district. Like so much else, Greece's open-air cinemas, where patrons can enjoy a movie in the flower-scented moonlight with a drink, a snack and even a smoke, have been hard-hit by lockdown measures. Under the country's partial reopening, open-air cinemas started operating on June 1, a month late and with considerable restrictions. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
Business so far has been slow, due to these establishments' main operational hazard even in sunny Greece — rain.
“It's been raining for three days,” said projector operator Pavlos Lepeniotis, mopping hard as an afternoon downpour soaked the spaced-out seats and sent cats disdainfully stalking off into cover.
“We had about two people at each show,” he said. “They enjoyed the film, though, and thanked us afterwards. ... We don't ever close all summer and we like that, we have a good time here.”
In this Monday May 25, 2020 photo a cat stands on an old projector on display at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens. Like so much else, Greece's open-air cinemas, where patrons can enjoy a movie in the flower-scented moonlight with a drink, a snack and even a smoke, have been hard-hit by lockdown measures. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
Lepeniotis works at the Zephyros cinema in Athens' central Petralona district, built in 1933. It's festooned with posters for its specialty, 1950s, ‘60s and ’70s arthouse films.
Health restrictions forced operators to roughly halve seating, with 120 of Zephyros' usual 250 seats laid out — many accompanied by a round metal table for cinema-goers to rest their drinks.
“At first they had asked us to not even put pairs of seats close by. How would that have worked for couples?” Lepeniotis said.
In this Friday May 29, 2020 photo Christina Tsouta, left, cuts leaves as projector operator Pavlos Lepeniotis connects the speakers at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in Athens' central Petralona district. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
Cinema operators expect revenues to fall up to 40% due to the restrictions. And it's not just the money.
“The interval, when people like to rest their gaze or get up from their seats, is an integral part of the experience,” Lepeniotis said. “People will miss it.”
Greece, which locked down quickly, has had over 2,930 confirmed coronavirus infections and 180 deaths, according to government data.
In this Friday May 29, 2020 photo Christina Tsouta, left, cuts leaves as projector operator Pavlos Lepeniotis holds the ladder at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
Under the country's gradual easing of its lockdown, restaurants could serve customers indoors beginning Saturday and night clubs and internet cafes can reopen Monday. On June 15, establishments as diverse as museums and brothels reopen. Concerts and other public performances restart on July 1. There's no date yet for indoor cinemas.
Across the wider European Union, officials want border restrictions for EU citizens lifted by the end of June.
Sotiris Riggos, owner of the Panathinea open-air cinema in the capital's central Neapoli district, said the outlook has improved now that operators have clear government guidelines — and a sales tax cut. Panathinea has deployed 140 of its 230 seats.
In this Friday May 29, 2020 photo projector operator Pavlos Lepeniotis paints the projection booth at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in Athens' central Petralona district. Under the country's partial reopening after the coronavirus lockdown, open-air cinemas started operating on June 1, a month late and with considerable restrictions: Far fewer seats and no interval, both bad for revenues. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
“Things don't look as bleak as three weeks ago,” he said. “People want to go to the cinema.”
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
In this Friday May 29, 2020 photo Christina Tsouta, cleans the screen at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in Athens' central Petralona district. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Friday May 29, 2020 photo a picture depicting American actor James Dean, who died in a 1955 car crash aged 24, stands beneath film reels at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Friday May 29, 2020 film reels are stacked inside a warehouse at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in Athens' central Petralona district. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Friday May 29, 2020 photo, projector operator Pavlos Lepeniotis, left, and his wife Christina Tsouta, place a poster for an upcoming film outside the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Saturday, May 30, 2020 photo, projector operator Pavlos Lepeniotis operates his equipment and peers out from the projection booth at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in Athens' central Petralona district. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Saturday, May 30, 2020 photo, a black and white movie is shown on a screen as projectionist Pavlos Lepeniotis operates his equipment from the projection booth at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona, district in central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Sunday May 31, 2020 photo, owner Meri Panou operates her equipment inside a projection booth at the Dionisia open-air cinema in Athens. Like so much else, Greece's open-air cinemas, where patrons can enjoy a movie in the flower-scented moonlight with a drink, a snack and even a smoke, have been hard-hit by lockdown measures. Under the country's partial reopening, open-air cinemas started operating on June 1, a month late and with considerable restrictions. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris
In this Sunday, May 31, 2020 photo the painted-over screen of the Myrto open-air cinema, abandoned since 1987, is seen in Athens. Thirty years ago, there were roughly 600 such cinemas all over Greece. Social change and technological advance has resulted in just over a hundred currently functioning, several of them protected by heritage laws. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Monday June 1, 2020 photo, Panos and Marianna, the only customers at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens, are seen on the first day the cinema opened after the easing of Greece's coronavirus lockdown. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Tuesday June 2 , 2020, Katerina Dimitrakopoulou, second left, wearing a protective mask sits inside a ticket booth as she speaks with a moviegoer at the Panathinea outdoor cinema, in Neapoli, central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Tuesday June 2 , 2020 photo moviegoers stand next to a painting by Pavlos Karakasidis showing the 2019 movie 'Joker' at the Panathinea open-air cinema, in central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Tuesday June 2, 2020 photo people watch "I would rather not" by stand-up comedians Vironas Theodoropoulos and Michalis Mathioudakis at the Panathinea outdoor cinema, in Neapoli, central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Wednesday, June 3, 2020 photo, an afternoon downpour hits the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Wednesday, June 3, 2020 photo, projector operator Pavlos Lepeniotis checks the quality of a movie film inside a warehouse at the Zephyros open-air cinema that specializes in films from past decades in the Petralona district in central Athens. Lepeniotis has worked in movie theaters since age 12. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Wednesday, June 3, 2020 photo the Panathinea outdoor cinema in Neapoli, central Athens, is seen in an aerial view as moviegoers watch the 2019 South Korean black comedy film Parasite. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Wednesday, June 3, 2020 photo moviegoers watch the 2019 South Korean black comedy film Parasite at the Panathinea outdoor cinema in Neapoli, central Athens. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Thursday June 4 , 2020 photo moviegoers stand outside the entrance of the Thision outdoor summer cinema where moviegoers watch films under the ancient Acropolis. Cine Thision is one of the oldest open-air movie theaters in Athens, built in 1935. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Thursday June 4 , 2020 photo passers by looks at movie notices outside the Thision outdoor summer cinema where moviegoers watch films under the ancient Acropolis. Cine Thision is one of the oldest open-air movie theaters in Athens, built in 1935. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
In this Thursday June 4 , 2020 photo people watch a trailer for the 2019 movie "Pinocchio" at the Thisio outdoor summer cinema as the Ancient Acropolis is seen lit up in the background. Cine Thision is one of the oldest open-air movie theaters in Athens, built in 1935. (AP PhotoPetros Giannakouris)
