Drive-In Movie Theaters A Comeback
Since the coronavirus shutdown began three months ago, we’ve all been watching movies solely at home, where there’s no such thing as waiting for showtime; drive-in movie screen whenever we feel like watching them.
But if you go to a movie at a drive-in movie (still the only way, at the moment, to watch a movie outside of your home in these parts), you arrive early to get a good spot, and then you wait until dark – which is, by the way, the title of a movie that would probably look pretty good at a drive-in movie. You sit, munching popcorn in your car and wondering about mosquitoes, and watch the people who have gathered as the sky slowly shadows. And you think about how, as long as you’ve been alive and longer, people have been going to drive-ins; pointing their car at a giant screen and waiting for moonlight.
Once upon a time, drive-ins were a common sight, great for dates and family-friendly outings. And now they seem tailor-made for our current era of social distancing, offering outdoor locations and natural separation.
Though Miami is slowly reopening, with restaurants, retail stores, and salons beginning to operate at partial capacity, movie theatres are among the businesses that remain shuttered. And even when they do reopen, it’s unclear when people will feel safe gathering indoors in large groups again.
It’s only natural that makeshift drive-in theatres are popping up across Miami and Fort Lauderdale to provide a few hours of diversion to a stir-crazy populace. For those of you itching to go out to the movies, Dezerland Park and NFL’s Miami Dolphins’ stadium have re-opened their movie facilities over the summer.
With both of its theaters, Savor Cinema and Cinema Paradiso, shuttered, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) launched a drive-in experience early May at the MASS District parking lot with a sold-out screening of Pulp Fiction. “This is something that we need right now for our souls,” says Igor Shteyrenberg, who co-founded the festival in 2015 with Marc Ferman.
At Dezerland Park in North Miami, a new drive-in offers different movies every week, beginning last weekend with family-friendly flicks Sonic the Hedgehog and Jurassic Park. Miami’s Nite Owl Theater has announced plans for a drive-in, and the City of Miami Beach introduced its residents-only drive-in at a parking lot on Collins Avenue and 46th Street.
Ashely Henn, the granddaughter of Swap Shop founder Preston Henn, says the drive-in has seen an increase in business since-social distancing rules went into effect. “During the week, parents are bringing their kids, trying to find something to do,” Henn says. “It’s a great place for the community to come together. I don’t think that’ll ever go away. People have got to get out at some point to get some fresh air.”
The nostalgia factor can also play a role, providing a different take on the movie-going experience that might feel like a novelty to many contemporary viewers. But for Popcorn Frights, it was also important to bring it into the 21st century. When Popcorn Frights had to postpone its summer horror-film festival due to the pandemic, the organizers were determined to find another way to bring movie magic to their community.
If you need to get your car serviced before you head in to the movies, make sure to stop by the Car Factory. We have ensured the use of masks and we sanitize both our dealerships regularly to safeguard our customers and employees. Call us at 786-406-6234 for queries or to book an appointment.
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