Cinema Screenings To Be Cut, In Line With Economic Conditions

[Jai Dee]

Cinema screenings to be cut

Movie-goers' appetites will remain unwhetted this year, with political and economic uncertainty further dampening ticket sales and forcing distributors to focus on VCDs and DVDs.

To survive, M Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the country's largest cinema operator, the Major Cineplex Group, this year will focus only on international films, including eight blockbusters, to lure Thai audiences back to cinemas. Moreover, the number of films to be purchased will be cut to no more than 20 this year, from 35 last year, said CEO Padet Hongfa. A budget of Bt300 million has been earmarked for film purchases, while ticket sales are expected to reach Bt400 million.

"Last year, we released 35 films. Most of them lost money, because movie-goers were too discouraged to relax amid the domestic political chaos," he said.

Thai film-maker and distributor GMM Tai Hub said ticket sales for 50 films last year averaged Bt20 million, up 10 per cent from Bt22 million in 2007. Only "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" and "Ong-bak 2" surpassed the Bt100-million milestone.

Kim Eng Securities (Thailand) and Bualuang Securities expects Thailand's movie-ticket sales to increase this year, thanks mainly to a line-up of several blockbusters. Kim Eng said "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen", "Terminator: Salvation", "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and the Thai film "The Legend of Naresuan: Part 3" were expected to have a high box-office gross.

Bualuang Securities analyst Prasit Sujiravorakul believes these films will enjoy more than Bt100 million each in ticket sales.

"The movie line-up should lure movie-goers back to cinemas, but the number of films to be screened should be lower than last year, in line with economic conditions," he said.

GMM Thai Hub chief executive Visute Poolvoralaks, who was unimpressed with last year's Bt1.2 billion in ticket sales, which represented flat growth from 2007, also expects an improvement this year. However, he cautioned this year's situation depended largely on the mood of movie-goers.

Rose Media and Entertainment said film distributors must adapt to the situation by focusing more on selling films on VCD and DVD. The company enjoyed revenue growth of 20 per cent to Bt800 million last year, due to this strategy, plus a policy of screening only some of the films at SF Cinemas. A cut in the number of screens saves money, because at least Bt5 million is needed for the screening at all available cinemas, said vice president Jirath Pavaravadhana.

"The strategy is driven by changing lifestyles, because more people prefer watching movies at home," he said. "Nowadays, only Hollywood blockbusters can draw people out of their homes."

Last year, Rose Media screened only 15 foreign films in cinemas but released 10 live-action and 50 animated features a month on VCD and DVD.

Jirath said amid the poor economic conditions, film distributors have seen an increase in their bargaining power, buying foreign films for 20-per-cent less than before. Thus, Rose Media this year will maintain the number of films screened in cinemas at 15. And thanks mainly to VCD/DVD sales, which have grown significantly despite piracy, revenue is expected to grow 30 per cent this year.

M Pictures' Padet agrees VCD and DVD sales are preferable to revenue from cinema screening. His company sold the rights over purchased foreign films to Pacific Marketing and Entertainment, a VCD and DVD operator.

J-Bics Film is also focusing more on a physical product. Although some movies are screened in cinemas, it prefers to promote VCDs and DVDs. J-Bics plans to release 14 titles a month on VCD and DVD this year, up from eight last year, with only one or two titles a month screened in cinemas. Managing director Nopachai Srisuvanunta said cinema screening these days entailed losses, due to the economic slowdown and a preference for downloading movies from the Internet.

"Most of our revenue comes from sales of independent films on VCD and DVD," Nopachai said, adding that annualised revenue growth was 10-20 per cent.

"This year, we'll also provide a film-downloading service to tap new audiences."

Source: The Nation - 15 January 2009

[samgrowth]

If you have nothing to watch, you can always get free VCD from PAD.

From the language Sondhi use, I have to rate it appropiate for 18 and above only.

[Miserere]

"Last year, we released 35 films. Most of them lost money, because movie-goers were too discouraged to relax amid the domestic political chaos,"

Oh I can't enjoy watching this Die Hard 4 because I can't stop worrying about the red and yellow shirts!

Get a life! Chill out and enjoy the movie!

[sriracha john]

Major Cineplex Group, this year will focus only on international films, including eight blockbusters, to lure Thai audiences back to cinemas. Moreover, the number of films to be purchased will be cut to no more than 20 this year, from 35 last year, said CEO Padet Hongfa.

Thank goodness for movies on the Net.

Sounds like the few a year that are worthwhile seeing on the big screen, will still be there.

[Plus]

The movies are crap.

All the coming "blockbusters" are just sequels. How uninspiring.

Also big screen TV greatly improved home entertainment. Microwave popcorn is also very reasonable, and you can drink as much beer as you want and don't need to worry about toilet breaks.

There's simply no need to go to cinema to watch movies anymore.

[TAWP]

Would have to agree...as a movie-buff I watch over 100 films per year, but rarely over 5 per year in the cinema. And then it's mostly an excuse to spend time with other people, instead of going out to a restaurant or something.

[sriracha john]

The movies are crap.

All the coming "blockbusters" are just sequels. How uninspiring.

Also big screen TV greatly improved home entertainment. Microwave popcorn is also very reasonable, and you can drink as much beer as you want and don't need to worry about toilet breaks.

There's simply no need to go to cinema to watch movies anymore.

It's good to feel nostalgic and I like the odd dose of frost-bite once in awhile.

Would have to agree...as a movie-buff I watch over 100 films per year, but rarely over 5 per year in the cinema.

Ditto on both accounts.

It's come way down over the past 10 years for Plus's reasons and the Net availability.

[PeaceBlondie]

Several sources have told me that during the Great Depression, the movies were very popular, because people wanted to forget their woes.

[Plus]

Sure the movies are very popular and cheap enertainment. Just don't watch them at the cinemas to save money, that's it.

[Heng]

During the last slowdown ('97) Major Cineplex went from their one Ekkamai location, actually expanded, leading to their acquisition of EGV (different branch of the same family, but competitors), and expanded into real estate development. Going to the movies is one of the cheapest forms of entertainment for the middle and lower middle classes.

IMO sounds more like politically correct 'complaining about the economy.'

[Plus]

Om 1997 a movie ticket was cheaper than pirated VCD.

[Heng]

Yeah, although movie goers aren't just the watching a pirated VCD vs. watching it in movie theater segment either. The same way that buying beer from a supermarket doesn't really compete with buying a beer in a bar or gent's club.

[bangon04]

Om 1997 a movie ticket was cheaper than pirated VCD.

When I go to see a Thai movie in the cinema eg Mom Jokmok, there are English subtitles so that I can "enjoy" the movie with everyone else.

3 months later, when I go to buy the same movie on DVD to see it again, the English subtitles are NOT there / available.

Can anybody explain the logic of a movie producer paying to have subtitles made and then not including them on the DVD? Is there a reason why the movie company does not want me to buy the movie on DVD?

[Heng]

If you're buying the official local release, it should have more than a few subtitle choices available, English included. And not the 'done by the high school student son or daughter with a $10 dictionary of the pirate factory boss' variety.

[TofuGirl]

If you're buying the official local release, it should have more than a few subtitle choices available, English included. And not the 'done by the high school student son or daughter with a $10 dictionary of the pirate factory boss' variety.

Ha ha those are the best sometimes imo! Better than the movie.

[bangon04]

If you're buying the official local release, it should have more than a few subtitle choices available, English included. And not the 'done by the high school student son or daughter with a $10 dictionary of the pirate factory boss' variety.

Ha ha those are the best sometimes imo! Better than the movie.

Any English subtitles would be better than none. But yes - official DVD release from a "reputable" shop like Manpong or CD Warehouse. Out of more than a dozen DVDs starring Mom Jokmok, they are all sold without the English subtitles which were already produced for cinema release (I know because I sat through all of them at the time). I know the obvious answer is TiT, but surely they want to sell more DVDs???

[geriatrickid]

Several sources have told me that during the Great Depression, the movies were very popular, because people wanted to forget their woes.

Fortunately, for you, by the time you arrived they had talkies to make those old Tom Mix 2 reelers interesting................

[toptuan]

Several sources have told me that during the Great Depression, the movies were very popular, because people wanted to forget their woes.

Incidentally, so was church.

[otherstuff1957]

If this article is correct, they have just announced the demise of the local movie industry! They really aren't going to screen any Thai movies?

I usually like to see Thai movies when I go to a Theater, because I can never find subtitled versions of those movies at any store or rental shop. I missed Naresuan at the Theaters and, while I have seen a gazillion DVD's of it for sale, none of them have English subtitles.

[jim4pim]

If you're buying the official local release, it should have more than a few subtitle choices available, English included. And not the 'done by the high school student son or daughter with a $10 dictionary of the pirate factory boss' variety.

Aint dat the truth...........

[Ijustwannateach]

There's something self-defeating about the logic, here- if you make the movies more popular, and get people into the theatres- won't it defeat the purpose if they've all already seen the film? That's why some variety is necessary once you've got people there... and you could argue that lack of interest is about the same-sameness of the mainstream films, which look set to be even more mainstream.

[ajarnmark]

If you have nothing to watch, you can always get free VCD from PAD.

From the language Sondhi use, I have to rate it appropiate for 18 and above only.

and for the logic and reasoning used in that, i rate it suitable for under 3 (or having an IQ same as a 3 years old)

[Scott]

But surely with the brilliant but sharp knife of the censors here, all and any movie should be suitable for us to watch!

[tropo]

The movies are crap.

All the coming "blockbusters" are just sequels. How uninspiring.

Also big screen TV greatly improved home entertainment. Microwave popcorn is also very reasonable, and you can drink as much beer as you want and don't need to worry about toilet breaks.

There's simply no need to go to cinema to watch movies anymore.

It's not a need, it's a passion. I only download movies I cannot get to see on the big screen.

I understand this would be difficult for people with bladder incontinence.

[futureexpat]

I still love the cinema experience. Back home, I'd see an average of two movies a week at the cinema. I'm lucky to see two a month in Thailand because all we get here are Hollywood blockbusters, comedies and romantic comedies. Good independent movies and non English foreign movies are rarely shown in Thailand. As another poster said, thank goodness for the internet.

What I do like about the going to the cinema here is that it's rarely crowded, I can choose my seat in advance and I can easily bring in outside food.

[way2muchcoffee]

I'm still waiting for subtitles for Naresuan I and II. Naresuan III will be out soon I heard. Considering the money spent making these films one would think subtitles would be considered.

Edited January 16, 2009 by way2muchcoffee

[BODYholic]

Thai film-maker and distributor GMM Tai Hub said ticket sales for 50 films last year averaged Bt20 million, up 10 per cent from Bt22 million in 2007.

Ticket sales up 10% from 22m to 20m!? What is what?

[Plus]

I still maintain that two major reasons for sales drop is crap movies and better home entertainment.

Of course going to movies is a social activity but youngesters these days don't give a hoot about Pizza Company, MK Suki or Chester Grill. Those are places to eat for middle aged and families, not for dates.

So stand alone cineplexes like Major are not very attractive for socialising, and those in department stores - people can socialise there without watching some shitty movie in the dark. No noodles, no talking, no mobile phones - what kind of socialising is that?

[tartempion]

The good movies don't reach Thai theatres, that's the problem

I can't find much at night markets neither.

Only option is to downoald them via torrents, then find subtitles and burn DVD's .

I would rather just buy them via legal channels than going through all the hassle.

[Plus]

What do you mean by good movies?

This thread is about movies that attract audiences, critically acclaimed "good" movies hardly ever sell even in the West.

If you got a recent DVD player all you need is to burn your downloaded movie straight to the disk together with subtitle file from somewhere like opensubtitles.org. Usually they are cut to fit on one CD.

Some players have USB interface so you don't even need a disk, they'd play off the flashdrive.

If you have a big ass flat screen TV the experience is just awesome.