Rome Offers Free Cinema Screenings to Combat Summer Heat

Rome is opening its doors to free cinema screenings in 11 air-conditioned theaters as a measure to combat the sweltering summer heatwave. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri announced the initiative, designed to provide a cool refuge for residents.

The program, aptly named "The Big Chill" after the 1983 film classic, will operate from Thursday, July 23, to August 4. This initiative expands upon existing climate shelter options in the city, which already include public libraries and museums. The screenings aim to offer a comfortable environment for people to enjoy films during the hottest parts of the day.

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Beautiful films, including recent releases, will be screened.

"Beautiful films, including recent releases, will be screened," Gualtieri stated at a press conference. Screenings are scheduled daily between 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., with admission granted on a first-come, first-served basis. The first film to be shown will be the 2023 Italian comedy-drama "C'è Ancora Domani" (There's Still Tomorrow).

Temperatures in Rome were forecast to peak at 36 degrees Celsius (97 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday and remain high at 35C on Thursday and Friday. The free cinema program allows citizens, particularly those without air conditioning at home, to escape the heat and enjoy a movie in a climate-controlled setting.

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Each day a different film will be shown in all 11 participating cinemas, and people will be able to spend time there watching a movie in a cool environment, because not everyone has air conditioning.