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Partners
To Buy Australia-based Circuit’s Shares
Roadshow Sells
Asian Stakes
SYNDEY, Australia – In an effort to shrink its exhibition
holdings, Village Roadshow (VR) announced March 14 the sale
of its joint ventures in Thailand, Malaysia and India.
VR’s partners in the three markets plan to buy out the
Australia-based circuit’s interests, with Entertain buying
VR’s 50-percent interest in the 79-screen Thai circuit,
Tanjong and Golden Harvest buying out VR’s 25-percent
interest in the 44-screen Malaysian circuit, and Priya Exhibitors
buying out VR’s 40-percent stake in 12 screens at four
India sites.
Priya Village Roadshow will retain its full name despite VR’s
divestiture, and plans to spend $25 million over the next
three years adding 80 screens across India, which will begin
with the October bow of a 7-plex in Gurgaon and the 2003 debut
of an 11-plex outside Bombay.
VR’s sales of its co-ventures are part of the circuit’s
plan to size down its holdings from 15 territories to between
eight and 10. 
276
Screens Certified
Kinepolis Receives
‘Total THX’ Status
BRUSSELS, Belgium – Kinepolis and Lucasfilm THX joined
forces to hail the Belgium-based circuit’s status as
the first European multiplex operator to receive THX certification
in every auditorium.
To promote Kinepolis’ “Total THX” status, the
two companies will adopt a co-branding campaign featuring
both corporate logos.
Two sites in Belgium, the 14-screen Hasselt and the 16-screen
Liege, were the last Kinepolis venues to be certified. Kinepolis
operates 276 screens at 18 sites in Belgium, France, Italy,
Poland, Spain and Switzerland.
$35
Million Loss in 2001
Taiwanese Support
Anti-Piracy Efforts
TAIPEI, Taiwan – In an effort to demonstrate support
for the war against piracy, Taiwanese movie theatres remained
closed on April 4 until 7 p.m., while over 5,000 members of
the entertainment industry marched.
Taipei’s movie theatre association’s director, Yang
Yi-ping, told The Hollywood Reporter that, due to film
piracy, the film industry lost an estimated $35 million last
year.
Premier Yu His-kun promised the protestors better training
for the police force and better financial awards for individuals
who identify pirates. He also says he wants to increase fines
for copyright violations.
Current punishment for illegal duplication in Taiwan is a
jail term of six months to three years or a maximum $7,000
fine; for pirates running full counterfeit operations a maximum
seven-year prison sentence is called for.
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1,490-Seat
Shanghai 9-Plex
WB 1st Big Exhib
To Invade China?
SHANGHAI, China – Awaiting final approval of the Beijing
government and Shanghai authorities, Warner Bros. International
Theatres (WBIT) may be the first major exhibitor to enter
the Chinese market with a planned 1,490-seat 9-plex in Shanghai.
The site is expected to be operated as a joint venture between
WBIT and local companies Shanghai Paradise, a 140-screen local
circuit, and Broadband Investments.
The multi, which is located on the top floor of one of Shanghai’s
largest malls, will feature a large mural depicting superstars
Jackie Chan and Gong Li among such Hollywood legends as Clark
Gable and Humphrey Bogart.
The People’s Republic of China plans to build as many
as 100 digital theatres across all 30 provinces and large
cities with 20 planned to be operational by June.
United
Kingdom Multi
Ster Century Seeds
Leeds Mall 13-Plex
LEEDS, United Kingdom – Ster Century opened its new 13-plex
in Leeds, England, on March 20 with the start of the week-long
Leeds Children's Film Festival. The new plex is part of The
Light – a new shopping mall in the city's downtown area
Kids who attended the new multi between March 20 and April
17 received either free movie tickets or treats and were entered
into a drawing for a 12-month pass.
The 3,000-seat facility, the only multi in Leeds' City Square,
opened to the public March 22.
Kinopolis
Circuit Sold
Kinowelt Preps
Exhibition Exit
BERLIN – Debt-laden entertainment conglomerate Kinowelt
sold its Kinopolis circuit in March, and revealed a desire
to sell also its 25-percent stake in some Village Roadshow-controlled
sites.
Once its Roadshow interests are sold, Kinowelt will have completely
exited the exhibition industry.
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