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From Berlin to LA, cinema marquees around the world are reacting to our strange times

Local picture houses have been raising spirits with movie jokes and notes of optimism

Huw Oliver
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Huw Oliver
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Cinema marquees nowadays are rarely just used to announce the names of upcoming movies. In the social media age they’re also used to make in-the-know movie jokes, propose marriage – and, now, to spread reassurance and humour in these strange and uncertain times.

From LA to Berlin via Montreal, independent cinemas the world over have had to close for now. But their signs are defying the spirit of the times, spreading both serious PSAs and eye-catching notes of optimism, with plenty of in-jokes for film buffs. Here are the best we’ve spotted so far. Did we miss one? DM us @timeouteverywhere.

Uptown Theater, Minneapolis

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Cinéma Beaubien, Montreal

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Grand Lake, San Francisco

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Terrace Theater, Charleston

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Film Forum, New York

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Rio Theater, Santa Cruz

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Burg Kino, Vienna

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Rio Theatre, Vancouver

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Kino International, Berlin

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Orpheum Theater, Los Angeles

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Weisshaus Kino, Cologne

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Everyman Screen on the Green, London

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More pretty things to look at? 

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