By Joe Johnson (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: February 8, 2012
Let’s face it – going to the movies is not the experience it once was. I find the new larger theatres to be cold, expensive and really unenjoyable. That’s why when I first heard that the Rio (the only theatre in East Vancouver) had run into some recent problems, I perked up my ears.
The Rio is a great place to catch flicks – such as when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was shown last September. It was new owner Corrine Lea’s idea to shift that idea into a multi-purpose venue of live events, as well as movies. But that idea is not one shared by the Liquor Control and Licensing Board.
Lea had tried for over a year to obtain a liquor-primary license so that the Rio would be able to sell alcohol at their concerts as well as other live events. They were recently granted that license, but on the stipulation that they stop showing movies. That news came as a bit of a shock to Lea, who was under the impression that as long as the alcohol only come out during non-movie times, then everything should be fine. Upon receiving the license, however, what the Rio really got was a major slap in the face. The Rio is a small theatre, losing $2000 a day because of the LCLB’s decision, and trying to survive in an industry enveloped by large corporations.
As people became aware of the issue, there was a lot of noise for regulation to be changed. There has been plenty of mainstream media coverage, the Rio’s website has splashed this issue right up front, and even the city of Vancouver—primarily headed by Councillor Heather Deal—has taken up the cause. The city actually unanimously passed and carried out a request that the provincial government move on the LCLB to allow for it to create a condition in the regulation, which would allow for the Rio to operate the way it had planned.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean progress is being made. “I can’t tell you how or when they will respond,” Deal explained, when reached for comment. “The media attention is liky (sic) to get at least as much response as our letter.”
It’s that attention which the Rio now has put its efforts in getting out and pushing for change. The most current update on the Rio’s website has been completely open about the effect this regulation has had on them in order to get people fired up. They are blunt about having to lay off employees. They are making it known that a film festival has the potential to be left in the cold if, as of Tuesday of this week, the changes haven’t been made. Obviously, the anger they are looking to stir up has to go somewhere, and it’s the Minister of Public Safety, Shirley Bond, that the Rio is imploring people to give their opinion to. She has the direct ability to make the necessary change in regulation which would save the theatre.
But for the Rio, running at a continued loss every day after being forced to eliminate their cinema side of business, time really is a factor. All of this attention — be it from the media or the city or the people — is absolutely great. But if everything is all for naught, I’m afraid we’re going to see one less theatre of its kind.
If you’ve never been to the Rio, I suggest you take a trip out there to see, at the very least, a live event. And if the mood strikes you, give Minister Bond your thoughts. She’s on Twitter, Facebook, and old-fashioned email.
Three weeks ago the last movie was shown. It was Network from 1978 – perhaps the most fitting movie to air, as the famous line rang throughout the theatre, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not gonna take it anymore.”
