Paris arthouse cinema La Clef reopens under new ownership

After being evicted by Paris police in 2022, a group of filmmakers and students have made a triumphant return to the historic arthouse cinema . The collective, who had occupied the venue from 2019 to 2022, raised funds to buy the cinema for €2.7 million. The group reinstalled the 35mm projector on Thursday, marking their official return to the 600 sq metre community cinema located in the Latin quarter of Paris. , appropriately named "The Key," is now legally owned by the collective of students and film-industry professionals who were previously evicted. This reopening signifies a new chapter for , as it transitions from a squatters' collective to a legitimate and legal entity. The community cinema is set to once again become a hub for independent and arthouse films, welcoming back both old and new patrons to enjoy its unique programming. The resilience and determination of the collective have paid off, allowing them to reclaim and revitalize this important cultural space in the heart of Paris.