The old-world charm of Greece's endangered outdoor cinemas
A decades-long tradition is struggling to survive in the digital age


Like everyone else, Greeks love the movies. They have flocked to cinemas for decades to weep through dramas, marvel at Hollywood blockbusters, and, of course, munch on some classic movie snacks.
Open-air cinemas in Greece have long met moviegoers' demands, even profiting, to some degree, from the country's financial struggles. A night at the movies, after all, is much cheaper than, say, a weekend getaway.
But while large, indoor movie chains have switched to digital projections, the small, independently run outdoor cinemas are stuck with their old technology. Without the thousands of dollars required to retire those dated projectors, many of Greece's outdoor movie theaters could soon roll their credits for the last time.
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Before it comes to that, check out these analog theaters under the stars, and the visitors who still enjoy a traditional summer night at the movies.
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Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
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