Shopping malls, restaurants, domestic and international flights, tourism, almost all the sectors of the economy restarted after the lockdown.
Only cinemas in the country are closed when the sector is active. It is frustrating for movie business and hall owners.
So, if the government does not come forward with help in this situation, the country’s popular movie theatre Star Cineplex will be forced to shut down. Star Cineplex chairman Mahboob Rahman Ruhel made the announcement at a press conference on Wednesday evening.
Through the press conference, he has presented a total of 6 demands including 5 to the government. If these are met, Star Cineplex will be able to continue its movie theatre business in this country. They are-
1) To open cinema halls without any delay in compliance with the health rules for the city dwellers
2) Announcement of emergency financial assistance or incentive fund
3) Opportunity to waive all types of VAT and tax on cinema hall tickets.
4) Approval to provide interest free loan
5) To allow unconditional import of sub-continental language films
He also made two other demands to the three shopping mall authorities that have Star Cineplex and to the Bangladesh Film Producers Association.
Ruhel told the shopping mall authorities that under the circumstances, each branch of the Star Cineplex was operated on rent in different shopping malls. He added, “I am requesting the shopping mall authorities to waive the rent and take half the rent till the situation returns to normal.”
He appealed to the latest producers’ association to make arrangements for the release of censored films. Not only the cinema hall will have to be opened but the audience will not come unless new films are released.
Ruhel added, “Modern multiplex cinema halls maintaining social distance can be an excellent example of continuing activities. A few people watch movies in exchange for tickets for the allotted seats. We think it is possible to give people the opportunity to apply by following the rules of health.”
Cinema halls have already been opened in many countries of the world including Russia, United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Norway, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia.
Even in India the cinema halls are scheduled to open in a month. Not only that the governments of different countries are also providing financial assistance to compensate for the loss related to culture and application of movie theatres.
The US Senate has passed a 2 trillion financial assistance bill for the affected sectors. The French Ministry of Culture has allocated 5 billion euros.
The United Kingdom has given 2 billion dollars. In such a situation, the sincere support of the government is necessary to keep the cinema hall running in our country as well.
Appealing to the government, Ruhel added, “Cinema halls can be called the backbone of the film industry. If they are not opened soon the industry will not survive.
So our appeal to the government is to open the halls without delay. Cinema halls maintaining social distance according to hygiene rules will result in increased cost of management, so VAT, tax exemption from tickets is required.”
In addition, adequate financial assistance, including interest-free loans, is essential.
Star Cineplex has been doing business in this country for 17 long years. The company is already showing movies on 15 screens in 3 branches in different locations in Dhaka.
Preparations have been completed to open a new fourth branch in Mirpur. In such a situation, if the above demands are not met, all their businesses will be threatened, said Mahboob Rahman Ruhel.
