Jakarta moviegoers get luxury cinema complex<\/p>\n
Joko E.H. Anwar, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
It's just another day on the ninth floor of the Pasaraya
\nshopping mall in Blok M, South Jakarta. But the sound of heavy
\ntools working away inside a closed-off section of the floor
\nindicates that there is something new on the way.<\/p>\n
And that something new is a movie theater, the Multiplex
\nGrande Pasaraya, which is scheduled to open next month.<\/p>\n
\"Construction of the multiplex is close to completion, and it
\nwill be different from any other cinema in the country,\" promised
\nthe shopping mall's public relations manager, Nadya Siti Rahma.<\/p>\n
However, she remained tight-lipped about the technical details
\nof the new theater.<\/p>\n
The multiplex is reportedly going to be divided into three
\nclasses. The Gold Class reportedly will be able to accommodate
\n253 viewers, while the Diamond and VVIP Classes will accommodate
\n53 and 24 people, respectively.<\/p>\n
Tickets will be range in price from Rp 75,000 to Rp 100,000.<\/p>\n
The multiplex, which was initially slated to open on March 15,
\nis owned by former manpower minister Abdul Latief, businessman
\nAdiguna Sutowo and well-known TV producer Raam Punjabi.<\/p>\n
Once it opens, the Multiplex Grande Pasaraya's only
\ncompetition, in terms of luxury, will be The Premiere theater at
\nPlaza Senayan, also in South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Admission to The Premiere, which is owned by the 21 Cineplex
\nGroup, costs Rp 100,000. For about a two-months promotional
\nperiod after it opened on Feb. 13, tickets cost Rp 75,000.<\/p>\n
Many people, understandably, have come to the theater simply
\nto find out what exactly they get for their Rp 100,000.<\/p>\n
The first perk is not having to stand in a long line to buy a
\nticket. Also, you can purchase movie tickets one day in advance.<\/p>\n
While waiting for a film, Premiere customers can sit in a
\nlounge that is certainly more comfortable than the waiting area
\nof your average multiplex. Several imported entertainment
\nmagazines are available for perusal, including the latest issue
\nof Vanity Fair. Unfortunately, when this writer was there on
\nTuesday, the latest copy of the U.S. movie magazine Premiere was
\ndated March 2001.<\/p>\n
If flipping through glossy magazines is not your thing,
\nPremiere customers can order some food or drink from the friendly
\nstaff, to be enjoyed either in the lounge or inside the movie
\ntheater, which reportedly cost some Rp 10 billion to construct.<\/p>\n
Refreshment prices in The Premeire are similar to those at
\nmost cafes located in the shopping mall.<\/p>\n
Tired of reading and eating, moviegoers can wait inside the
\ntheater and enjoy the comfy reclining seats, equipped with
\nfootrests, similar to the chairs owned by Chandler and Joey on
\nthe TV series Friends. Each seat also comes with a small table.<\/p>\n
The theater is roomy enough to accommodate up to 114 people,
\nbut The Premiere only admits 38 people to each screening so
\npeople feel more comfortable.<\/p>\n
But those who are there strictly to see a movie might get to
\nfeeling a little impatient, as screenings sometimes do not start
\nwhen they are supposed to. On Tuesday, the 7:30 p.m. showing did
\nnot start until 7:50 p.m.<\/p>\n
However, those who have plenty of time on their hands will
\nhave a good time relaxing in the cozy chairs and chatting with
\nfriends while waiting for the opening titles to roll.<\/p>\n
\"I come here with my wife quite often,\" 32-year-old Andri
\nSofyan said.<\/p>\n
\"The tickets, plus the food and drinks, are quite expensive,
\neven for me, but we like the friendly atmosphere. It's like
\nhaving your own home theater,\" said the young executive, who
\nworks at an insurance company.<\/p>\n
But true movie buffs are not likely to be as impressed.<\/p>\n
\"When I go to a movie theater, I go to see the movie. I don't
\nneed to have someone serving me food while I watch the movie,\"
\nsaid 26-year-old film buff Priesnanda Dwi Satria.<\/p>\n
Sure, there are pros and cons to the whole luxury theater
\nconcept. But film audiences should be happy that there are more
\nchoices of movie theaters.<\/p>\n
The need for alternative venues to watch movies was sensed by
\nthe British Council, which recently held the British Film
\nFestival. For the festival, the council rented an open plot of
\nland owned by Plaza Senayan next to its parking lot and
\ntransformed it into a drive-in theater.<\/p>\n
The council's arts and public relations manager, Jim
\nHollington, said last Sunday that it took three weeks to prepare
\nthe land.<\/p>\n
\"The enthusiasm (of film audiences) is quite high. Yesterday
\nwe had a full house,\" Hollington said.<\/p>\n
The shopping mall management is aware of the enthusiastic
\nresponse the drive-in theater received, but so far it has no
\nplans to open a drive-in on a full-time basis.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe someday we will open (a drive-in) ourselves,\" the
\nshopping mall's general affairs manager, Teguh Boediono, said.<\/p>\n
It is certainly a good time to be a film fan in the capital.
\nThere is a seemingly never-ending series of film events, offering
\nalternative titles that are not shown in regular cinemas. And now
\nmovie buffs have more choice as to the type of theater they want
\nto see a movie in.<\/p>\n
In the end, one thing is sure: if you decide to sleep through
\na bad movie, you will be more comfortable in these new luxury
\ntheaters.<\/p>",
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