"Jinak tady nic nebylo." Pluralita funkcí kina v socialistickém Československu
"Otherwise there was nothing here". Plurality of cinema functions in socialist Czechoslovakia

Summary/Abstract: This text characterises the complexity of cinema functioning in socialist Czechoslovakia. There was a demand on the cinema network growth after the nationalisation of the film sector in 1945. Number of cinemas grew rapidly within the next ten years especially in rural areas. With few exceptions, single-purpose new cinema buildings were not built. Cinema screenings took place in buildings with various original purposes: pubs, gymnasiums, theatres and multifunctional cultural venues. Going to the movies was one of the most popular ways of spending free time outside home partially due to the vast cinema network. The activity itself was also an important form of social gathering especially within rural areas. After 1948, cinema in Czechoslovakia gained a privileged position as the most powerful instrument of political propaganda. The extensive network of cinemas could be relied upon to fulfil this function, which was particularly emphasised in rural areas. The cinema halls available in almost ‚every village‘ became key outlets for film distribution and therefore places for the dissemination of preferred values. Centralised import strategies that suited the cultural-political aims of distribution inevitably came into conflict with audience demands and preferences. Visitor statistics clearly show that the most popular titles were mainly genre titles from capitalist countries. Further motivation came from the economic involvement of local representatives, making the multifaceted field of cinema operations a sector with the characteristics typical for a statecontrolled economy.

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