Tunisia currently has 34 cinemas spread over 7 governorates only. 17 governorates have none.
In its latest annual report (for the 2016-2022 period), the National Statistics INTSITUT reports on the film sector in Tunisia.
The total number of rooms increased to 34, compared to 22 in 2016. At the top of the list is Tunis with 11 rooms, followed by Ariana (9) and Sousse (7). Ben Arous, Zaghouan and Sfax have only two rooms each, while Monastir is limited to a single room.
Seventeen governorates have no movie theater. A geographic and cultural disparity which speaks volumes about the challenges we face to democratize access to the cinema.
In the 1970s, Tunisia had 114 rooms. But since then it’s tumbled. In the 2000s, we lost 58% of the rooms, from 48 in 1999 to only 18.
Beyond cinematographic events, the situation of certain cinemas in Tunisia leaves something to be desired. The proliferation of streaming platforms and the lack of crowds towards traditional rooms are all reasons that contribute to this decline.
Last March, Amilcar’s cinema at Manar 1 closed its doors, followed closely by Ciné Jamil, which temporarily ceased its activity due to financial difficulties before trying a reopening.
