GA English on Sunday News in Brief from Bonn and the region

Bonn/Region · “Kino on Demand” providing art house films from local cinemas, support hotlines available for families and pupils, Bonn school in final of nationwide competition and Vapiano restaurant chain to file for bankruptcy - here is our news in brief on Sunday.

 'Kino on Demand' offers online film rentals from local cinemas, for example the Woki cinema in Bonn.

'Kino on Demand' offers online film rentals from local cinemas, for example the Woki cinema in Bonn.

Foto: Benjamin Westhoff

Art house films available on demand

BONN/REGION. The entire film industry is feeling the effects of the coronavirus, not only the big mainstream cinemas but also the small local movie theatres. Thanks to the Cologne-based company Rushlake Media, those who are now spending so much time at home can arrange home film nights whilst supporting local cinemas. "Kino on Demand" is a bit like the Netflix of art house productions, offering high-quality art house films on demand via the company’s website. The difference is that every customer rents the films from a cinema nearby. “Kino on Demand is the only provider connected to the cinemas and actively sends film lovers to the local movie theatres," explains Philipp Hoffmann, Managing Director of Rushlake Media.

It costs five euros per film, which is a bit more expensive than Netflix, Amazon, etc., but customers do not have to search through huge selections. On the website www.kino-on-demand.com there are over 60 films on offer, sorted into clear categories such as "Strong Women", "Intelligent Comedies" or, more recently, "Film Marathon in Quarantine". There is also a category for films in their original language and, according to their website, the company will be expanding this selection in future.

Once a film has been found, you select a cinema where you would like to rent the film, for example in Bonn at the Woki, Rex and Kinopolis, or in the local region at the cinema in the Drehwerk Wachtberg, Cineplex Siegburg and Cineplex Troisdorf. You register by entering your name, e-mail address and a password and can then pay the five euros by credit card, Paypal, direct debit or voucher. Afterwards films can be watched for 48 hours. At the first and every fifth film viewing, the customer receives a five-euro voucher by e-mail, which can be redeemed for the next visit to their favourite cinema. Until 31 March, the first five euros that new customers spend on "Kino on Demand" will be passed on directly to the cinemas without any deductions.

(Original text: Danina Esau / Caroline Kusch)

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Local support for families

BONN. Families and especially parents are faced with an enormous challenge due to the current situation with coronavirus. The Office for Children, Youth and Family of the City of Bonn (Amt für Kinder, Jugend und Familie der Stadt Bonn) is offering a telephone hotline on 028/77 45 62 to advise families on all questions concerning family life. "Contact us if you have any questions about how to cope with this situation as a family or how you can best support your children," says Udo Stein, head of the Youth Welfare Office.

The school psychology unit in Bonn also offers advice to all parents who are experiencing difficulties in helping their children with their schoolwork at home. The number to call is 02 28/77 45 63. Pupils can also register for counselling themselves if they are unable to study and learn independently. The counselling hotlines are available on Mondays to Thursdays from 8am to 4pm and Fridays from 8am to 1pm. A message can be left on the answering machine if a counsellor is not available immediately.

(Original text: buj)

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Award nomination for Bonn school

BONN. 15 schools have reached the final round of the German School Award (Deutsche Schulpreis). They were nominated by a jury of experts at a meeting on Wednesday. Among them is the Marie-Kahle-Gesamtschule from Bonn. All schools have already gone through an elaborate application procedure. The first prize in the competition is 100,000 euros; the five other winners will each receive 25,000 euros.

(Original text: buj)

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Vapiano to file for bankruptcy

BONN. The Cologne restaurant chain Vapiano announced its insolvency on Friday due to a drastic drop in sales and revenues in connection with the corona pandemic. "As of today, it is clear that Vapiano will not be able to survive without immediate government support and will have to file for insolvency, which would result in the loss of 10,000 jobs worldwide," said Vapiano boss Vanessa Hall. The executive board is obliged under current law to file for insolvency within three weeks at the latest.

Vapiano addressed the federal government in an urgent appeal and asked it to provide the fast support that has been announced. At the same time, the company criticised the fact that the KfW loan "KfW-Corona-Hilfe" to bridge liquidity bottlenecks was apparently not available at the present time. It was apparently not yet possible to apply for the loan through the responsible banks.

Vapiano runs more than 230 restaurants worldwide, almost all of which are closed. In Germany there are 80 Vapiano restaurants which have been closed since Wednesday for an indefinite period. The closures in Germany affect 3800 employees.

(Original text: Ralph Arenz)

(Translations: Caroline Kusch)

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