Security tight at Batman film screenings
Two German cinema chains said on Tuesday that they would beef up security at screenings of the latest Batman movie following the deadly shooting rampage during a midnight show in Colorado.
Suspected gunman James Holmes burst into a packed theatre showing "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora, Colorado after midnight Friday and allegedly opened fire, killing 12 people and wounding 58 others.
Two of the largest operators, UCI Kinowelt and CinemaxX, said they aimed to make audiences feel safe to see "The Dark Knight Rises" when it opens across the country this week.
"Security personnel will be stepping up their vigilance and presence in the lobbies and theatres," a UCI Kinowelt spokesman told AFP. "Beyond that, we reserve the right to search bags."
He added that the chain was encouraging patrons to "avoid costumes that could make others feel uncomfortable".
The spokesman noted that the film had already opened in several other markets outside the United States without incident.
A CinemaxX representative said that popular screenings including midnight shows generally featured more security personnel.
"But we usually keep them in the background, very discreet," he said. "In this case, we decided to bring the security guards more out into the open so they can keep an eye on things."
The film is to be shown at previews in Germany Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of its opening Thursday.
AFP/hc
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Suspected gunman James Holmes burst into a packed theatre showing "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora, Colorado after midnight Friday and allegedly opened fire, killing 12 people and wounding 58 others.
Two of the largest operators, UCI Kinowelt and CinemaxX, said they aimed to make audiences feel safe to see "The Dark Knight Rises" when it opens across the country this week.
"Security personnel will be stepping up their vigilance and presence in the lobbies and theatres," a UCI Kinowelt spokesman told AFP. "Beyond that, we reserve the right to search bags."
He added that the chain was encouraging patrons to "avoid costumes that could make others feel uncomfortable".
The spokesman noted that the film had already opened in several other markets outside the United States without incident.
A CinemaxX representative said that popular screenings including midnight shows generally featured more security personnel.
"But we usually keep them in the background, very discreet," he said. "In this case, we decided to bring the security guards more out into the open so they can keep an eye on things."
The film is to be shown at previews in Germany Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of its opening Thursday.
AFP/hc
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