Paris just hosted a floating movie theater where people sat in socially distant boats on the water, and the photos are stunning

Sophie-Claire HoellerJul 24, 2020, 22:53 IST

The screen was approximately 52 feet by 30 feet.Le cinema sur l'eau

Every year, the French capital creates temporary beaches along the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette during the summer in an event called Paris Plages (Paris beaches).
This year, it took the event one step further and created "Cinéma sur l'Eau" (cinema on the water), in which the lucky winners of a raffle that took place in early July could watch a film from the comfort of socially distanced electric boats.
The floating cinema existed for one night only and took place on July 18.

On Saturday, 150 locals watched "Le Grand Bain" from 38 electric boats floating on the water.

Each boat seated four to six people. Le cinema sur l'eau

The appropriately aquatic French comedy, called "Sink or Swim" in English, is about a group of middle-aged men who start a synchronized swimming team.

There were 38 boats available. Le cinema sur l'eau

According to a press release from PR company Spark Agency, each boat seated four to six people.

Only groups of friends or families were allowed to share boats. Le cinema sur l'eau

Another 150 people were able to watch the movie from deck chairs on land.

Every year, Paris turns the shores of the Seine into temporary beaches with sand and chairs. Le cinema sur l'eau

Social-distancing practices ensured that groups were family or friends only.

The weather was perfect. Le cinema sur l'eau

The weather for the event was perfect — there wasn't a cloud in sight.

The screen was approximately 52 feet by 30 feet. Le cinema sur l'eau

Elisha Karmitz, the CEO of MK2 Cinemas, which collaborated on the event, told Euronews that it was a way to celebrate the end of lockdown in Paris.

The event was free: Movie-goers were winners of a raffle that took place from July 7 to July 15. Le cinema sur l'eau

"After the few months of confinement, we thought we needed a way to tell to the people and to tell to the world that cinemas are open in Paris, that Paris is one of the worldwide capitals of cinema," he said.

The boats were electric. Le cinema sur l'eau

"After the few months of confinement, we thought we needed a way to tell to the people and to tell to the world that cinemas are open in Paris, that Paris is one of the worldwide capitals of cinema," he said.

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Paris just hosted a floating movie theater where people sat in socially distant boats on the water, and the photos are stunning

On Saturday, 150 locals watched "Le Grand Bain" from 38 electric boats floating on the water.

The appropriately aquatic French comedy, called "Sink or Swim" in English, is about a group of middle-aged men who start a synchronized swimming team.

According to a press release from PR company Spark Agency, each boat seated four to six people.

Another 150 people were able to watch the movie from deck chairs on land.

Social-distancing practices ensured that groups were family or friends only.

The weather for the event was perfect — there wasn't a cloud in sight.

Elisha Karmitz, the CEO of MK2 Cinemas, which collaborated on the event, told Euronews that it was a way to celebrate the end of lockdown in Paris.

"After the few months of confinement, we thought we needed a way to tell to the people and to tell to the world that cinemas are open in Paris, that Paris is one of the worldwide capitals of cinema," he said.