South African fans of the James Bond franchise will be pleased to learn that cinema exhibitor Ster-Kinekor is planning “a first of its kind in South Africa’ for the opening weekend of the 23rd Bond film, Skyfall, commencing Friday, 30 November.
Ster-Kinekor will show Skyfall on its opening weekend in multiple dedicated theatres within its Gateway (Durban) and Sandton (Johannesburg) complexes, as well as screening it across all regional sites. This will give movie-goers more opportunity to see one of this year’s biggest titles in its greatest form – on the big screen.
According to Ster-Kinekor, this has been made possible by the company’s high-profile conversion to digital screens – a move that was designed to provide audiences with the benefit of more movie seats being available to supply demand for tickets for massive releases like Skyfall.
Gateway will open Skyfall on eight screens while Sandton will show the film on five screens over the opening weekend, thus freeing up 2,500 seats over 13 screens for each show during the weekend. This means that in the three opening weekend days almost 500,000 people can have the opportunity to see the film within these two complexes, with a screening of the film commencing every 15 minutes during peak show times.
Doug Place, marketing executive for Ster-Kinekor, says: “Our new digital conversion means that we can offer audiences a host of great new opportunities. It means that more movie lovers can witness great moments at their greatest like Skyfall in more cinemas, more often. Digital screens also offer the added benefit of a clearer and sharper picture with enhanced sound quality ensuring a heightened experience for movie lovers.’
Skyfall has already received much attention and international acclaim since its global release, grossing a massive $87.8m in its first three days and an additional $2.2m during previews. Its triumphant debut has made it the best-performing and highest-grossing film in Bond history, shattering the previous opening weekend record for a Bond film which was set in 2008 when Quantum of Solace reached $67.5m. Currently Skyfall has raked in over $600m.
The film stars Daniel Craig in his third outing as Bond. Others in the cast are Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe.
