Jakarta moviegoers get luxury cinema complex

Joko E.H. Anwar, Contributor, Jakarta

It's just another day on the ninth floor of the Pasaraya shopping mall in Blok M, South Jakarta. But the sound of heavy tools working away inside a closed-off section of the floor indicates that there is something new on the way.

And that something new is a movie theater, the Multiplex Grande Pasaraya, which is scheduled to open next month.

"Construction of the multiplex is close to completion, and it will be different from any other cinema in the country," promised the shopping mall's public relations manager, Nadya Siti Rahma.

However, she remained tight-lipped about the technical details of the new theater.

The multiplex is reportedly going to be divided into three classes. The Gold Class reportedly will be able to accommodate 253 viewers, while the Diamond and VVIP Classes will accommodate 53 and 24 people, respectively.

Tickets will be range in price from Rp 75,000 to Rp 100,000.

The multiplex, which was initially slated to open on March 15, is owned by former manpower minister Abdul Latief, businessman Adiguna Sutowo and well-known TV producer Raam Punjabi.

Once it opens, the Multiplex Grande Pasaraya's only competition, in terms of luxury, will be The Premiere theater at Plaza Senayan, also in South Jakarta.

Admission to The Premiere, which is owned by the 21 Cineplex Group, costs Rp 100,000. For about a two-months promotional period after it opened on Feb. 13, tickets cost Rp 75,000.

Many people, understandably, have come to the theater simply to find out what exactly they get for their Rp 100,000.

The first perk is not having to stand in a long line to buy a ticket. Also, you can purchase movie tickets one day in advance.

While waiting for a film, Premiere customers can sit in a lounge that is certainly more comfortable than the waiting area of your average multiplex. Several imported entertainment magazines are available for perusal, including the latest issue of Vanity Fair. Unfortunately, when this writer was there on Tuesday, the latest copy of the U.S. movie magazine Premiere was dated March 2001.

If flipping through glossy magazines is not your thing, Premiere customers can order some food or drink from the friendly staff, to be enjoyed either in the lounge or inside the movie theater, which reportedly cost some Rp 10 billion to construct.

Refreshment prices in The Premeire are similar to those at most cafes located in the shopping mall.

Tired of reading and eating, moviegoers can wait inside the theater and enjoy the comfy reclining seats, equipped with footrests, similar to the chairs owned by Chandler and Joey on the TV series Friends. Each seat also comes with a small table.

The theater is roomy enough to accommodate up to 114 people, but The Premiere only admits 38 people to each screening so people feel more comfortable.

But those who are there strictly to see a movie might get to feeling a little impatient, as screenings sometimes do not start when they are supposed to. On Tuesday, the 7:30 p.m. showing did not start until 7:50 p.m.

However, those who have plenty of time on their hands will have a good time relaxing in the cozy chairs and chatting with friends while waiting for the opening titles to roll.

"I come here with my wife quite often," 32-year-old Andri Sofyan said.

"The tickets, plus the food and drinks, are quite expensive, even for me, but we like the friendly atmosphere. It's like having your own home theater," said the young executive, who works at an insurance company.

But true movie buffs are not likely to be as impressed.

"When I go to a movie theater, I go to see the movie. I don't need to have someone serving me food while I watch the movie," said 26-year-old film buff Priesnanda Dwi Satria.

Sure, there are pros and cons to the whole luxury theater concept. But film audiences should be happy that there are more choices of movie theaters.

The need for alternative venues to watch movies was sensed by the British Council, which recently held the British Film Festival. For the festival, the council rented an open plot of land owned by Plaza Senayan next to its parking lot and transformed it into a drive-in theater.

The council's arts and public relations manager, Jim Hollington, said last Sunday that it took three weeks to prepare the land.

"The enthusiasm (of film audiences) is quite high. Yesterday we had a full house," Hollington said.

The shopping mall management is aware of the enthusiastic response the drive-in theater received, but so far it has no plans to open a drive-in on a full-time basis.

"Maybe someday we will open (a drive-in) ourselves," the shopping mall's general affairs manager, Teguh Boediono, said.

It is certainly a good time to be a film fan in the capital. There is a seemingly never-ending series of film events, offering alternative titles that are not shown in regular cinemas. And now movie buffs have more choice as to the type of theater they want to see a movie in.

In the end, one thing is sure: if you decide to sleep through a bad movie, you will be more comfortable in these new luxury theaters.