The press did not accept the organizers' invitation. Even passers-by were reluctant to attend the first-ever film screening in the cellar of the Grand Cafe in Paris. Admission was one franc. In return, the small audience was shown 10 short films, which lasted about 20 minutes in total. Among the 32 spectators of that historic screening 125 years ago on December 28, 1895, was film pioneer Georges Melies. By the end, everyone was "speechless, amazed and indescribably surprised," the organizers said. The world's first public cinema event was a runaway success. The pandemic has put paid to plans t...