A pandemic revives the golden age of the drive-in

On a hot Tuesday in Quito, Ecuador just before 4 pm, the crowd begins parking their cars in the new drive-in situated in the heart of the valley. In a small gray car a couple proudly wears the national team jersey. They tune the radio to 88.7 just as the game starts. On another vehicle a group of kids climb to the top of the car for a better view. Some look at the screen through their windshield and others sit comfortably in their trunks.

The playoff game Ecuador vs Uruguay began on a huge screen. The crowd was quiet when the excitement rose when Ecuador took the apron, precise with coordinated steps between the players. Just as they entered the line of fire going all in, one of the players made a pass scoring the first goal of the game, the audience honked celebrating the moment.

This is one of the ways Ecuadorians are adapting to the conditions of the pandemic. Here, and in many countries around the world, the drive-in is making a comeback as a safer option than indoor movies and stadium entertainment. A group of Ecuadorians brought back the famous drive-in experience preparing the space over a couple of months before opening.

This drive-in offers more than just a movie. There are two food stalls serving burgers, hot dogs and popcorn and a beer stall offering three types of different flavours. At the entrance the staff of the drive-in hands out menus for both food and drinks. People are not allowed to leave their vehicle at any time. The staff deliver the food and drinks to the customers on a motorcycle.  

Diego Josafat, the administrator of ‘TopAutocine’), speaking in spanish, describes the formula for drive-in succes, “People come here to enjoy themselves,” he said. “We want to sell an experience that they will remember, from a romantic date to a fun day with the kids.”

A woman carries a tray of gum and cotton candy as she walks through the sections chosen for each vehicle. A family of four sitting in the trunk of their car draws her attention.The children’s father asks for two large cotton candy. As soon as the woman leaves, another stops by the car handing out a beer to the dad. He pays her and goes back to watching the game.

This drive-in has been a success since the opening night on September 20. Everyday people come across town to watch old classics or movies that bring good memories to them. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 3pm to 11pm. They can get their tickets online for between 20 and 30 dollars per car. Also, street vendors have been able to sell their goods in the drive-in making it easier for them to make money in the middle of a pandemic.

“ It’s been a great help to keep my family from starving. The managers of the drive-in have let me sell some of my goods here,” said the street vender with her tray of cotton candy.

The wind was blowing a gentle breeze and the sun was shining above everyone’s heads as the game progressed, everyone watched the screen attentively. Some of the people were enjoying burgers, hot dogs, beers or some candy while the match was about to end. Ecuador scored the last goal of the playoffs winning the game 4-2. The crowd went mad, started calling out the screen and honking multiple times. The sun was setting, the breeze got colder. People were hugging, yelling and honking non stop to Ecuador’s victory.

“Our goal is to help each other, that’s why we have a contract with small businesses to sell their products benefiting them, the customers and us” said Josafath. “These were really tough months for everybody and with this drive-in we look for people to treasure experiences and help others to get financially stable.” This drive-in is just the beginning of a new era of the ingenuity of people to adapt to difficult situations. It not only revives the golden ages of what the cinema used to be but it also reinforces human connections.