It’s an exciting day. Not only is it the start of the weekend, but Jozi finally opens its first IMAX theatre in Cradlestone Mall in Krugersdorp. Last night, however, Ster Kinekor held an exclusive launch with a screening of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s brand new film Terminator: Genisys – and what an action-packed evening it was!
Over 300 people attended the launch, hosted by 947’s Anele Mdoda, and were completely blown away by the crystal clear visuals and the incredible sound at the theatre. According to a press release, “One of the cinemas at Cradlestone Mall has been transformed to accommodate the impressive floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall IMAX screen and superior acoustical treatment. The design of the auditorium and the seating layout ensures a thrilling IMAX experience at every screening, while the cutting-edge, dual-projection system delivers crystal-clear images. Coupled with its customised theatre design and powerful digital sound system, IMAX creates a unique cinema environment that makes audiences feel as if they are in the film.”
This is the fifth IMAX cinema to launch in South Africa. Other venues include Gateway in Durban, The Grove Mall in Pretoria, Cape Gate in Cape Town, and Baywest Mall in Port Elizabeth that opened in mid-June. Ster Kinekor and IMAX have announced that Johannesburg is next on the list as the sixth IMAX theatre will open in Eastgate Mall towards the end of June along with two cinema prestige theatres as well.
Representing IMAX at the Cradlestone Mall opening was Giovanni Dolci, VP Theatre Development: EMEA at IMAX Corporation, who said: “It is wonderful to be back in South Africa again, and so soon after the successful launches of the other four IMAX theatres. We are impressed with the success of these sites since they started trading, and look forward to this new theatre achieving equally positive results. We entered into the initial partnership with Ster-Kinekor at the end of 2013, in the belief that it would not only raise our visibility in South Africa, but also set the stage for mutual growth opportunities in the region. It is encouraging to see that this is bearing fruit, with this theatre here at Cradlestone opening just a few weeks after Baywest, and a few months after Cape Gate. It is clear there is a growing appetite for films in the immersive IMAX format here in South Africa, and we look forward to working together with Ster-Kinekor to further entrench the IMAX brand in the local market.”
If there’s one thing you do this weekend, get to Cradlestone Mall and experience this beautiful cinema first hand. With Terminator: Genisys playing first, fans are sure to get the best experience. Tickets cost R110 per person, however, Discovery and Edgars cards entitle the viewer to a discount.
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