In Britain, nine hospitals have a movie theater inside their facilities for patients to watch the latest blockbusters, The New York Times reported July 8.
The theaters are created and operated by nonprofit MediCinema. The cinema has 40 seats, including space for four bedridden patients and three who need recliners. It’s designed to look like a normal movie theater, including elevated bright seats and movie posters outside. It runs four regular screenings a week and includes private screenings for patients at high risk of infection. Snacks are banned from the theater to protect patients with allergies or other food-related issues.
The morning before showtime, the cinema manager tours the wards to find patients interested in attending and confirms with nurses it is safe for them to do so. The theater shows the latest movies, including some prescreenings before movies are released to the general public theaters.
MediCinema won a BAFTA, Britain’s equivalent to an Oscar, last year for its contributions to the industry.
The first in-hospital movie theater was opened in December 1999 inside St. Thomas’ Hospital in central London. The nonprofit converted a medical lecture theater into a full-size cinema screen with a projector and tiered seating. It opened with a showing of the family comedy, “Inspector Gadget.”
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