The Department of the Alpes-Maritimes has decided to rename the Mercury cinema “Cinema Art house Jean-Paul Belmondo”. The inauguration ceremony took place this Friday evening, in Nice in the presence of the public and elected officials.
The emblematic Nice cinema “Mercury”, located on Place Garibaldi, will henceforth bear the name of the sacred monster of French cinema, who died on Monday at the age of 88.
“There will now be a Jean-Paul Belmondo cinema in Nice, the first in France !,” said Friday evening during the inauguration Eric Ciotti, deputy and chairman of the Department’s finance committee. What better than a cinema to represent this immense actor. Bébel was a mouth, a plume, a verb. ”
“The Magnificent will remain in our hearts”
It must be said that the actor, an endearing character and close to people, had a special relationship with the Côte d’Azur. Especially in Nice where he shot many films including “Flic ou Voyou” by Georges Lautner which was screened this Friday evening at the Mercury.
“Jean-Paul Belmondo leaves behind him popular and unforgettable roles. I have a thought for his family and loved ones, confided the president of the Department Charles Ange Ginesy. The Magnificent will remain in our hearts. “
The Mercury is the oldest cinema in Nice. It was inaugurated in 1911 before its transformation into a multiplex in 1978. It remains a mythical place that all fans of the 7th Art appreciate for its eclectic program of unreleased films and great classics.