Rome —
The city of Rome is launching “The Big Chill” initiative, named after the 1983 blockbuster movie, offering free movies in air-conditioned cinemas during the heat of the day in an exceptionally hot summer.
Fewer than half of Italians have air conditioning in their homes, according to energy company Enel. In Rome, sweltering citizens are joining the “fan club” — as in the handheld kind — to find relief from oppressive heat.
Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri announced the cool idea on Wednesday at a press conference and on social media, saying that it was designed to give people without air conditioning an opportunity to cool off, and to help…