When you go to Ster-Kinekor you will now be spoilt for choice

Movie-lovers have always been spoilt for choice about which film to watch. Now, with the opening of its two luxurious Cine Prestige cinemas, Ster-Kinekor’s flagship site at Gateway in Durban can proudly boast the widest range of how a film is watched. No other cinema site has the choice of three state-of-the-art cinema formats that includes IMAX®, Dolby Atmos® and the latest addition, Cine Prestige, in one complex.

Launching the “Choose Your Thrill” campaign, Ster-Kinekor Gateway now offers its audiences the most extensive choice of cinema viewing experiences in the southern hemisphere. This was revealed at the launch of the two new Cine Prestige theatres in Gateway today (27 March).

Ensuring that audiences continue to experience ‘Great Moments at their Greatest’ with Ster-Kinekor, visitors to the upgraded and fully digital Gateway complex can enjoy the cinema chain’s ultra-luxurious cinema experience. This, in addition to the other wonderful cinema viewing options that include IMAX®, IMAX® in 3D and Dolby Atmos®.

Says Darren Hampton, brand manager of Ster-Kinekor Theatres: “With a variety of different cinema experiences on offer under one roof, plus the art-house Cinema Nouveau downstairs, our cinema complex at Gateway has certainly earned its stripes as our flagship site. Having launched the revolutionary sound experience of Dolby Atmos® in 2012 and the immersive cinematic experiences of IMAX® and IMAX® in 3D late last year, the opening of the two Cine Prestige 3D theatres adds the luxurious option to the ‘Choose Your Thrill’ offering.”

All the other cinemas at Gateway also offer upgraded projection formats that include 3D HFR (high frame rate), 2D HFR as well as Digital 2D and 3D. There is no other cinema multiplex in the southern hemisphere that gives its cinema audiences such an array of viewing options.

“As Ster-Kinekor, we are focused on continually improving our audiences’ big screen experience – the element of surprise, the choice of titles and how these are viewed, launching new sites to reach more audiences and upgraded digital technologies that continue to enhance the cinema experience. We also deliver a best-in-class online booking facility.

“Personal communication with our customers is vital to our business and we make use of a variety of social media platforms to reach them, including the website, Facebook and Twitter, MXIT, the popular SK App and the SK Club loyalty programme. We do all of this to ensure that our audiences keep coming back to enjoy more great moments and, launching Cine Prestige is the next exciting evolution in our journey,” states Hampton.

This is the company’s fourth investment in the luxurious Cine Prestige format, following the successful installations of one such cinema at The Zone in Rosebank, and two each at the new Ster-Kinekor complexes at Cradlestone Mall, west of Johannesburg and The Grove in Pretoria East. This upgraded cinema format epitomises film-viewing heaven and pure luxury rolled into one. Audiences relax in large, comfortable chairs in an exclusive cinema environment, while watching the latest blockbusters on the big screen.

Each of the Cine Prestige cinemas has 39 seats, made up of a mix of single and double leather recliner chairs that ooze lavish comfort, with snack trays neatly fitted into them, for the perfect date-night. Adding to the experience is an exclusive VIP lounge where delicious platters of food can be ordered and enjoyed inside the cinema, and where queuing is a thing of the past.

“We are very proud of this exciting upgrade at Gateway, as we continue to bring the very best in cinema entertainment to our audiences across the country. Our role is to entice the consumer to watch a film as it was made to be seen – on the big screen. With the viewing choices now available at Gateway, ‘Choose Your Thrill’ takes this cinema proposition to the next level.

“We want movie-lovers to enjoy great moments with every movie experience. Our investment into new cinemas such as Cine Prestige at our flagship site, is further evidence of our commitment to deliver on this promise. With the latest blockbusters releasing each week and the widest choice of state-of-the-art cinemas in which to watch them, we are confident that audiences who enjoy a ‘great moment’ at Gateway will certainly be back for more,” concludes Hampton.

For more information about Ster-Kinekor, or to book your tickets, visit: www.sterkinekor.com or call Ticketline on 082 16789. For news and updates, go to Facebook: Ster-Kinekor Theatres | Follow Ster-Kinekor on Twitter: @SKTheatres, or download the SK App on your Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or Blackberry smart phone for updates or to book from your mobile phone.

Coriolanus Tragedy Hits South Africa

CORIOLANUS TRAGEDY HITS SOUTH AFRICA

Source: www.etsy.com

It’s been ages but still Shakespeare’s plays are the best, As Cinema Nouveau announces the release of Coriolanus, Shakespeare’s searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge. The National Theatre Live will broadcast Donmar Warehouse production of the Coriolanus, this interesting play will be broadcasted onto Cinema Nouveau’s big screens at Ster-kinekor Blue Route in Tokai, Cape Town starting from the 1^st of March.

This thrilling play presents the best English actor and best villain actor Tom Hiddleston who previously acted in the avengers, War house (BBC’s The hallow Crown as Prince Hal in Henry four part 1 and 2) in the title role and Mark Gatiss (Season’s Greetings at the National theatre, BBC Entertainment’s Sherlock) as Menenius, which is directed by Josie Rourke. With a synopsis of “when an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender: Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home too. Famine threatens the city, the citizens’ hunger swells to an appetite for change, and on returning from the field Coriolanus must confront the march of realpolitik and the voice of an angry people.”

Characters in Coriolanus are: Tom Hiddleston playing Coriolanus and has previously performed for Donmar in Othello and Ivanov, Mark Gatiss playing Menenius performed for the Donmar his roles feature films such as the Avengers, Deborah Findlay playing Volumnia has previously appeared at the Donmar in Madame de Sade and Josie Rourke Director of the Donmar Warehouse. The Coriolanus will be out on South African screens on Saturday, the 1^st of March for four screenings only in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. The running out of this production is two hours and forty minutes.

For more information on bookings, visit www.cinemanouvea.co.za, sterkinekor.mobi or you can contact the ticket line on 082 16789. Follow the nouveabuzz on twitter, @nouveabuzz and you can also download from your mobile. The National Live enables audiences to experience the best British theatre throughout the year, as the NT brings camera into the auditorium to broadcast performances live from stage.

Article by +Molly Dimpho 

Film Review 300: Rise of an Empire, Film Festivals & EFC Africa hits Cinemas

Film Review - 300: Rise of an Empire

Cast: Sullivan Stapleton, Rodrigo Santoro, Eva Green
Director: Noam Murro

300: Rise of an Empire is a powerful film that certainly does justice to its release in IMAX® 3D, and audiences will leave the theatre feeling as if they too had been part of the war.

If you see it with the Dolby Atmos Sound System at Ster Kinekor Gateway the powerful digital audio creates a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie – and part of the non-stop action of the warring Greeks taking on the might of the Persian army.

The film is based on Frank Miller's latest graphic novel, Xerxes, and told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster 300(released in 2006). This new chapter of the epic saga is a companion piece to the first film and takes the action to a fresh battlefield – on the sea, as Greek general, Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton), attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war.

300: Rise of an Empire pits Themistokles against the massive invading Persian forces, led by the mortal-turned-god, Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), and Artemesia (Eva Green), his vengeful commander of the Persian navy.

After its victory over King Leonidas of Sparta’s army of just 300, the Persian Army under Xerxes’ command marches towards the major Greek city-states. The Democratic city of Athens, first in the path of Xerxes' army, bases its strength on its fleet led by the fearless Themistocles. However, Themistocles is forced into an unwilling alliance with the traditional rival of Athens, the oligarchic Sparta led by Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey), whose might lies with its superior infantry troops. Together, they take on Xerxes and the powerful Persian army that still reigns supreme in numbers over sea and land.

The visuals really are amazing.  It is almost as if you have been transported to that time and you will feel like you are in the middle of an adventure.  Some great acting, writing and direction makes for a wonderful film.

Rating 9/10 

View the trailer here:

For more information on Ster-Kinekor and IMAX®, visit www.sterkinekor.com. Avoid the queues by booking online or by calling Ticketline on 082 16789, or you can book at the box office.  You can also download the Ster-Kinekor App on your Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or Blackberry phone for updates and to book from your mobile.  To find out what other exciting promotions Ster-Kinekor has on offer, follow @SKTheatres on Twitter or Facebook at Ster-Kinekor Theatres.

www.dolby.com/Atmos

DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CALLS FOR FILMMAKERS

The largest of Southern Africa's film festivals and the most important film festival in Africa, DIFF hosts a film competition component and also presents screenings in township areas where cinemas are non-existent.

The festival will consider films completed in 2013 and 2014, and there is no charge for entry. All submissions must be entered via the Eventival online system. In order to submit a film you will need to create a visitor account if you have not already done so in past years. The deadline for all entries, including delivery of screeners, is 28 March 2014 for short films, documentaries and feature fiction films.

The extensive seminar and workshop programme featuring local and international filmmakers and industry professionals includes the 7th Talent Campus Durban (19-23 July) in cooperation with Berlinale Talent Campus, and the 5th Durban FilmMart (19-22 July) in partnership with Durban Film Office, as well as various other streams of programming including Durban Wild Talk Africa and Wavescape.

Specific streams of programming for 2014 will include a focus on 20 years of democracy in South Africa, as well as films that explore architecture in various ways. This latter stream of programming acknowledges the World Congress of Architects which will take place in Durban in 2014, the week after DIFF.

"We look forward to once again receiving a wealth of top quality films from around the globe," says festival manager, Peter Machen. "We also welcome input from and engagement with current and potential partners who support the development of the film industry on the continent. It is through collaboration that we can offer film-makers and the public a festival of brilliant film and a worthwhile industry development programme."

The festival is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the City of Durban and other valued funders and partners.

www.durbanfilmfest.co.za eMAIL: diff@ukzn.ac.za

EFC AFRICA HITS CINEMAS Ster-Kinekor & EFC AFRICA announce exclusive broadcast partnership

Johannesburg (South Africa) – EFC AFRICA 28, taking place on Thursday, 27 March, will be screened at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas around the country for the first time, with an eruption of high-definition (HD), larger-than-life MMA action on the big screen.

In a partnership that has been in development for months, EFC AFRICA and Ster-Kinekor announced today (12 March) that fight fans throughout South Africa will be able to watch all 13 bouts from every upcoming EFC AFRICA event, live.

The partnership is launched on the back of Ster-Kinekor having completed the digital conversion in each of its cinemas. Substantial investment in the highest quality, live satellite broadcast equipment and a continuously tested and monitored signal will ensure a stable live broadcast of all the fight action, in crystal clear high definition.

The new format promises fans a big screen, live cinema experience, using the most advanced cinema broadcast platform available worldwide.

"We're excited to be offering fight fans the chance to see our events in such an awesome, larger than life setting," said EFC AFRICA president Cairo Howarth. "Ster-Kinekor's state of the art, digital HD setup makes it an incredible experience, from the first fight to the last. From 01 May, fans in Bloemfontein will be able to attend the cinema too, which we've been trying to organise for some time. Ster-Kinekor is leading the way with HD broadcast technology, and we're incredibly proud to be associated with this exciting project."

Doug Place, Marketing Executive of Ster-Kinekor Theatres, is equally delighted with the announcement of this new partnership. “Cinema is an evolving sector and we are in an exciting place right now. Resulting from our massive investment in technology and the digital upgrade, doors are opening for us to consider more alternative partnerships such as this one with EFC AFRICA.

“The digital conversion also means that the EFC fights on the big screen will be an awesome viewing experience for the fans. Watching all the live action in larger-than-life high definition is better than it has ever been seen before, and makes for a fantastic night out at the cinema!

“We are focused on continually improving the consumer experience and introducing fresh new offerings and alternative content that tap into new markets and what appeals to those audiences. It is these new initiatives that will ensure that the path to ongoing and future growth in the cinema industry is sustained,” comments Place.

The live Ster-Kinekor EFC AFRICA experience is to be made available in stages, with additional cinemas coming online for future events.

Fans can enjoy the EFC AFRICA 28 HD, big screen experience at the following Ster-Kinekor cinemas:

·         Ster-Kinekor Fourways (Johannesburg)

·         Ster-Kinekor East Rand Mall (Johannesburg)

·         Ster-Kinekor Gateway (Durban)

·         Ster-Kinekor Cavendish (Cape Town)

EFC AFRICA 29, taking place on 01 May, will see the addition of cinemas at:

·         Ster-Kinekor Brooklyn (Pretoria)

·         Ster-Kinekor The Zone (Johannesburg)

·         Ster-Kinekor Cradlestone (West Rand)

·         Ster-Kinekor Maponya (Soweto)

·         Ster-Kinekor Cape Gate (Cape Town)

·         Ster-Kinekor Tyger Valley (Cape Town)

·         Ster-Kinekor Mimosa (Bloemfontein)

·         Ster-Kinekor Greenstone (Edenvale)

Bookings for EFC AFRICA 28 at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas open on Friday, 14 March. Tickets cost R120, Ster-Kinekor SKCLUB, Discovery Vitality or Edgars club movie card benefits will apply. To find out more, visitwww.sterkinekor.com.