Rome will offer free screenings in 11 air-conditioned cinemas as part of a heat-relief plan Mayor Roberto Gualtieri presented on Wednesday, while most of Europe was sweltering through a hot summer.

The scheme, named after the 1983 US film classic “Il Grande Freddo” (“The Big Chill”), began yesterday and will run till August 4, expanding an existing network of climate shelters in the Italian capital including public libraries and museums.

“Beautiful films, including recent releases, will be screened,” Gualtieri said in a press conference.

The free screenings will take place between 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm, with admission on a first-come, first-served basis. The first movie will be the 2023 Italian comedy drama “C’è Ancora Domani” (“There’s Still Tomorrow”).

“Each day a different film will be shown in all 11 participating cinemas, and people will be able to spend time there watching a movie in a cool environment, because not everyone has air conditioning,” Gualtieri said.

Temperatures in Rome peaked at 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, and were set to peak at 35C yesterday, according to the weather service of the Italian air force.