how's the cinema in Cambodia? Do any of u got a picture of it?

Phnom Penh

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/354356189_abebcca2a1_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2750482632_75fdd91823_b.jpg

^^

O_o!! wowww.....interesting!

But they don't show foreign films ..

How about others?? are there any Hollywood movies??.........the Thai local cinemas like Major cineplex or SF should expand their business in Cambodia mannn......i smell a huge profit!! :smug:i wish they do!!

No, I have to go all the way down to Bangkok and watch ''Avantar'' at Central World's Major Cineplex. That was few months ago.

Cinema operators need to conduct market research and see whether it is the right time to expand, before they made any decisions to open up their businesses in new locations.

Central City (developed by the Lippo Group) is currently under construction - so I guess this could be the right time for Major cineplex or SF to expand their businesses in Cambodia :)

Unless government can strictly enforce the copy right law, I think it's not profitable to show Hollywood movie. The cost to obtain right to show the film could cost a lot more that producing film locally and they can only charge around $2 per ticket. If the theatre charges more than $2, customers can just buy a copied of the bootleg film, which already cost less than $2, and watch and home.

I hope one gets built. One of my major complaints about PP.

I don't think the owner can make any profits if they set the price for $2 per ticket. In Bangkok, the price per ticket is around 100-120 bahts (80 bahts on Monday to Wednesday, during certain time at Major Cineplex). The market in Thailand is so diverse, with many cinema operators competing each other.

Given the market size in Phnom Penh, cinemas probably need to set their ticket prices above $4.

^^

it's getting harder to find a such a price below 120 bht nowadays in BKK....the minimum price for a digital screen is around 140-180 bht i think, and it is much higher in a place like Siam Paragon or Central World....but it will definite come with a better screen and sound quality....for IMAX, it would be as high as 500 nht per seat from what i could recall....not very sure about all the prices ok! rarely have a time to go to cinema nowadays T T

Well, lets hope one day we can watch foreign films in the cinemas here.

My friend also complain to me about this today.

Yeaaaa me too, I didn't know that Cambodia don't show foreign films....:cry:

They do show some foreign films(mostly thai comedy). But there is no Hollywood blockbuster !

i have seen the advertisement on the screen of City mall say that the mall will have Hollywood cinema in May. Is that the standard cinema or what? i have no idea what it mean to be? Any one know?

i have seen the advertisement on the screen of City mall say that the mall will have Hollywood cinema in May. Is that the standard cinema or what? i have no idea what it mean to be? Any one know?

So I suppose this is why, desprite there is hardly any customers in the area above the KFC, they are expanding the City Mall building.

i have seen the advertisement on the screen of City mall say that the mall will have Hollywood cinema in May. Is that the standard cinema or what? i have no idea what it mean to be? Any one know?

Cinema showing foreign new release movies ??

this is what I meant they are expanding, some construction work has begin recently.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9159/040520115183.jpg

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/3536/040520115186.jpg

They do show some foreign films(mostly thai comedy). But there is no Hollywood blockbuster !

Is there any Thai film showing in Cambodian cinema nowadays?

^^ i think they got boycotted

Is there any Thai film showing in Cambodian cinema nowadays?
No i am afraid not even one.^^

and the music stores here don't sell any Thai CD or DVD movies (that's what my friend told me)

Cinema Under Constrution in City Mall in Level 4.

http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/9457/210520115535.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/8632/210520115536.jpg

^^ The first cinema in Cambodia screening Hollywood Movies :)
http://www.facebook.com/LegendCinema?sk=info

love it



http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/3536/040520115186.jpg

Some Update Pictures of the City Mall Cinema Construction Progress. 26th June

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2869/260620116203.jpg

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/2259/260620116200.jpg

The seats has been delivered, and sitting inside the 4th floor (or 3rd floor depends on which lift you take)

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4641/260620116202.jpg

Looks like there are about 150-160 seats there.

Looks like it only has room to fit one screen.

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/3499/260620116201.jpg

It doesnt look like a cinema at all .. lol

It doesnt look like a cinema at all .. lol

that is just the outside. the boxes for the seats is sitting indoor, possibly becomes part of the food court later.

I read in the Chinese SinChiew today, the cinema will open next Thursday 7th July, showing Transformer 3, The Cinema has 3 screen, largerst one can sit 320 people.

It will first show 15 session a day, from 11am - 9:30pm, ticket is $4 each.

Movies will be Transformer 3 3D, Kung Fu Panda 2 3D, and X-Man Trilogy.
All movie will have Khmer subtitle, some will have

Here is the English Article

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2011062850036/Business/hollywood-comes-to-cambodia.html

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/images/stories/news/national/2011/110628/110628_7.jpg

THE first Phnom Penh cinema licensed to show Hollywood films is set to open in the City Mall early next month, according to company officials.

Legend Cinema is the only company in Cambodia licensed by the Ministry of Culture to distribute such films.

It aims to attract patrons with a select-ion of the latest international releases, Michael Chai, director of the theatre's owner, Westec Media Limited, says.

The US$1.5 million theatre has three screens and 800 seats, including a 3D screen. It is set to open on July 7 with tickets from $4, which Chai says is similar to prices in neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam.

“Our main target audience is expats and Cambodians [educated abroad], but we expect more Cambodians to start visiting cinemas, as the high-quality service provides a totally different experience from home viewing,” he says.

It is the company’s first operation in Cambodia, but plans for further developments in Phnom Penh are in the pipeline, Chai says.

The first movie to be screened will be Transformers 3, followed by the latest Kung-Fu Panda and X-Men instalments.

Although there are few theatres filling this niche, Legend Cinema faces competition from movie-watchers at home.

The culture of purchasing pirate DVDs, because of the Kingdom’s lack of intellectual property laws, is one of the main reasons behind the lack of cinemas in Cambodia, Chai says.

“There was a similar situation in Malaysia 10 years ago. It was the piracy capital of the world, and only four or five local films were released each year, but some films now gross more than US$1 million there.

“This could be the catalyst for success in Cambodia’s film industry.”

But some who have opened theatres in the Kingdom doubt there will be many local filmgoers at first, given the lack of disposable income.

Although the emergence of new cinemas is a step in the right direction, there is still a long way to go in enticing people to the big screen when copied DVDs are widely available, Martin Robinson, co-founder of The Flicks Community Movie House, says.

“It’s unlikely that Cambodian families will pay $4 each to go to the movies when they can stay at home and watch a film that costs around $1,” Robinson says

I'll definitely go there :)

I'll definitely go there :)

Maybe to attend the first movie sessions.

You can take some more good pictures of the inside, just don't let people think you are recording movies.

Yes, just want to see how it looks like, probably won't take any photos inside

No i am afraid not even one.^^

They used to show a lot of them, dubbed into Khmer. Now there aren't many cinemas (The Bokor Cinema in the picture above was changed into a club years ago, the Lux and Sorya Cinemas are the only ones I know of that are open right now.) but Thai movies and soap operas are still popular on VCD/DVD. People might sometimes say they don't like Thailand because of problems on the border, etc, but they still buy an awful lot of Thai products.

Why aren't they showing Holywood movies ? I'm surprised . I thought cinemas in Cambodia were just like in Vietnam. Holywood movies attract a lot of people. That's why they show many Holywood movies in Vietnam , sometimes , some Vietnamese movies come out and try to compete with them with no success.

In Vietnam, most of the time they show Holywood movies just 1 or 2 days after the movie premiere date in the USA, movies come to Vietnam at the same time as Philippines , Thailand , Hongkong , Singapore... They usually post the schedules on AXN or Starmovie or HBO channel on which they show the countries' names and the time that movie will come.
For example :
On Starmovie last month they show Kungfu Panda 2 3D trailer and then show the schedule :
Hong Kong May 30th
Singapore May 30th
Malaysia June 1st
Indonesia June 1st
Thailand June 1st
Philippines June 1st
Vietnam June 1st
That how we know when the movies come. Or we can check out the schedules on the Box office websites.
One of the largest Box office systems in Vietnam is Mega Star . This is their website:
http://megastar.vn/index.aspx

This is one of the box offices of Mega Star system in District 5,Saigon
http://cinema.hotspots-vietnam.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/R%E1%BA%A1p-chi%E1%BA%BFu-phim-MegaStar-H%C3%B9ng-V%C6%B0%C6%A1ng-Plaza_product_left_top.jpg

Sometimes they celebrate the premiere day for some famous movies . These events attract many famous people in Vietnam and foreigners too.
Like these :

Fast and Furious 5 premiere party at Megastar Paragon District 7
http://partyinsaigon.com/uploads/albums/800/album_37812.jpg

http://partyinsaigon.com/uploads/albums/800/album_37813.jpg

http://partyinsaigon.com/uploads/albums/800/album_37785.jpg

http://partyinsaigon.com/uploads/albums/800/album_37780.jpg

One of the latest premiere party is Priest the movie premiere party
http://partyinsaigon.com/uploads/albums/800/album_42092.jpg

http://partyinsaigon.com/uploads/albums/800/album_42095.jpg

http://partyinsaigon.com/uploads/albums/800/album_42108.jpg

Why aren't they showing Holywood movies ? I'm surprised .

Becasue Cambodian are poor, and no one so far has the faith to make money from Hollywood movie.

Consider our largest screen due to be open next week, 800 seats, it is very unlikely it will get a full house anytime soon.

Becasue Cambodian are poor, and no one so far has the faith to make money from Hollywood movie.

Consider our largest screen due to be open next week, 800 seats, it is very unlikely it will get a full house anytime soon.

You mean people don't wanna waste money on going to the cinema ?

Only $4 to go to see a movie?... wow, that's cheap, compare to $14 in the US...:(.. Not including pop corn, and drink...:D

Only $4 to go to see a movie?... wow, that's cheap, compare to $14 in the US...:(.. Not including pop corn, and drink...:D

$14 is about how much you earn in an hour, prehaps 2 hours for the average people in the US.


$4 is a good daily wage to most people here.

You mean people don't wanna waste money on going to the cinema ?

we waste lots of money on lots of stuff, might as well wasted on movie, I really not sure, how much is the average movie ticket in those khmer cinema.

As i kno is abt $2, but i would rather spend double price to enjoy 1st class cinema as well

As i kno is abt $2, but i would rather spend double price to enjoy 1st class cinema as well

Me too, and better wait and see...full house or half house...:lol:

And why investor dare to put money on it...?

As i kno is abt $2, but i would rather spend double price to enjoy 1st class cinema as well

except you probably wouldn't go as often, do you normally get a full house in khmer cinema?

who know, maybe it will work, they got to have done the market research.

except you probably wouldn't go as often, do you normally get a full house in khmer cinema?

who know, maybe it will work, they got to have done the market research.

I would go to cinema if it is only hollywood new release movies. And i think they are smart enough to display the famous hollywood movies which is in top ten list of box office heheh...

I hope it will work with teenagers here bcos they dont have where else to go

It works, teenagers in Cambodia know how to spend :)

Take a look outside the cinema, karaoke and restaurants at Sorya Shopping Centre and you'll found out many people can spend and have the purchasing power.

yeah i think so, many teenager tend to spend their money with entertainment lol, ktv, club, game, so why they cant spend 4$ for hollywood cinema ticket, this probably boom because it is the first time for cambodia.

It works, teenagers in Cambodia know how to spend :)

Take a look outside the cinema, karaoke and restaurants at Sorya Shopping Centre and you'll found out many people can spend and have the purchasing power.

I usually go on Sunday, the Karaoke seems to be empty, the foodcourt outside the Cinema is almost empty, BB World / Pizza World is unusually quite compare to those you find in Sorya Center. KFC is quite.

THe only places with lots of people is Dreamland the gaming center.

Maybe the Cinema will bring some business to all these other people.

yeah i think so, many teenager tend to spend their money with entertainment lol, ktv, club, game, so why they cant spend 4$ for hollywood cinema ticket,

Surely they can afford to, but with limited money, it is one entertainment or the other.

this probably boom because it is the first time for cambodia.

the initial gimmick will bring lots of people, we got to wait a few month to see how it goes.

I dont go to dreamland, nor sorya mall to entertain myself. It is like a limited ages for those entertainment.

But i would love to go to cinema instead if it is standard one :)

There's a bus route between Phnom Penh and Saigon . I guess sometimes Cambodians can come to Saigon for some really cool movies if they don't come to Cambodia.
Movie ticket price is somewhere between 2-8 USD ( 40-150 thousand VND ) depend on the quality of the box office that u go to.

You take an 8 hours bus trip to watch a movie. :(

There's a bus route between Phnom Penh and Saigon . I guess sometimes Cambodians can come to Saigon for some really cool movies if they don't come to Cambodia.
Movie ticket price is somewhere between 2-8 USD ( 40-150 thousand VND ) depend on the quality of the box office that u go to.

Almost half of a day bus trip crossing the border, at which I had seen many Cambodians being unfairly treated by the communist-look-a-like and corupted VN immigration officers, just to see a movie is completely stupid thing to do. If you are not Cambodians, it is even more stupid because you have to pay for a $50 Visa to come to VN. They better stay home and wait for the movies come out on DVDs.

There's a bus route between Phnom Penh and Saigon . I guess sometimes Cambodians can come to Saigon for some really cool movies if they don't come to Cambodia.
Movie ticket price is somewhere between 2-8 USD ( 40-150 thousand VND ) depend on the quality of the box office that u go to.

Why we need to go to Saigon if we have one in here which will show the latest hollywood movies as well.

I used to go to MegaStar Cineplex in Saigon to watch Number4. The cinema is look alike to cinema in USA.

Hey, why don't you Vietnamese come over to Phnom Penh to see our Legend Cinema, it only cost $4. :cheers:

After all, it is brand new, and it is 3D, :lol::lol::lol:

Hey, why don't you Vietnamese come over to Phnom Penh to see our Legend Cinema, it only cost $4. :cheers:

After all, it is brand new, and it is 3D, :lol::lol::lol:

those viet in kampong chhnang might come :lol:
just kidding.. I think that'll come true in the near future (or in some decades). Lets imagine what we will be able to do: having our breakfast in PP, watching Hollywood movie at Legend Cinema, doing some nice shopping in Saigon, then eatin viet food in Ngon restaurant...

those viet in kampong chhnang might come :lol:
just kidding.. I think that'll come true in the near future (or in some decades). Lets imagine what we will be able to do: having our breakfast in PP, watching Hollywood movie at Legend Cinema, doing some nice shopping in Saigon, then eatin viet food in Ngon restaurant...

I am not looking forward for this future ...

Breaskfast in Sydney, watch a movie in HK, Lunch in PP, Dinner in New York, etc.

just kidding...

Almost half of a day bus trip crossing the border, at which I had seen many Cambodians being unfairly treated by the communist-look-a-like and corupted VN immigration officers, just to see a movie is completely stupid thing to do. If you are not Cambodians, it is even more stupid because you have to pay for a $50 Visa to come to VN. They better stay home and wait for the movies come out on DVDs.
What are you talking about ?

Why we need to go to Saigon if we have one in here which will show the latest hollywood movies as well.

I used to go to MegaStar Cineplex in Saigon to watch Number4. The cinema is look alike to cinema in USA.
Which Megastar Cinema did you go to ? The one in District 5 or District 7 ?

Hey, why don't you Vietnamese come over to Phnom Penh to see our Legend Cinema, it only cost $4. :cheers:

After all, it is brand new, and it is 3D, :lol::lol::lol:
I'd love to see Cambodia old theaters than the new one because Vietnam already has 4D and you will soon get bored of 3D as we do. Actually I'm curious about Cambodian movies because I have never seen one.

those viet in kampong chhnang might come :lol:
just kidding.. I think that'll come true in the near future (or in some decades). Lets imagine what we will be able to do: having our breakfast in PP, watching Hollywood movie at Legend Cinema, doing some nice shopping in Saigon, then eatin viet food in Ngon restaurant...
I totally agree with you. In Europe , they've been doing that for decades. Imagine we have a High-speed rail system connects South East Asian countries and a Schengen-like Agreement between SEAsian countries. So a person can visit Vietnam , Laos , Cambodian and Thailand in 1 or 2 days.

I'd love to see Cambodia old theaters than the new one because Vietnam already has 4D and you will soon get bored of 3D as we do.

3D movies are 3D movies, they don't make it in 4D.

4D movies (prehaps just short clips) are specially make, is not necessary better, those are just movies.

I am fine with 2D movie, I don't fancy wearing 2 pair of glasses to watch movies.

3D will need to be hologram type movie, imagine, sitting in the PP's Olympic stadium, and watch the full scale football match in Europe projected live onto the football field in PP as if it was there.

3D TV? 3D with glasses? not interested.

Actually I'm curious about Cambodian movies because I have never seen one. Legend Cinenma does not show Cambodian movie.

I think it is in district 5 becos the surrounding area still remains the old saigon. The parkson mall that have fitness center before its cinema.

Here the pic i took when we finished the movies
http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m482/haidaline/9c399dc9.jpg

yer , it's District 5
This one right ?
http://cinema.hotspots-vietnam.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/R%E1%BA%A1p-chi%E1%BA%BFu-phim-MegaStar-H%C3%B9ng-V%C6%B0%C6%A1ng-Plaza_product_left_top.jpg
It's the largest one in Megastar system ^^ .

Yes, they have 5screens, and i also enjoyed seeing many pretty girls out there beside movie :)

I don't know why they located a cinema that size in District 5. District 5 is more of a medical and education district.

What are you talking about ?



I am talking about taking a half-day bus trip, crossing the border to another country, and having to deal with unfriendly immigration officers, just to see a movie is completely stupid.

So anyone here went to the First screening of Transformer 3 - 3D yesterday afternoon in Legend Cinema?

3D is actually $6-8, 2D is $4.

Silver screen finally lit
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2011070850255/Lifestyle/silver-screen-finally-lit.html
Cambodia’s first official cinema is now open – and it is already racking up the admirers
110708_7d06
Lights, camera, action... comfortable seats and 3D screens should keep cinema lovers happy at Legend Cinema. Photo by: PHA LINA
CAMBODIA’S affinity for film dates back to the Kingdom’s cultural heyday of the ’60s, when over 300 films were produced, and word has it even King Norodom Sihanouk fancied himself as a silver screen star before the French found a better use for his talents.

The industry inevitably declined in the following years but the filming of high-profile films such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in 2001 helped restore some of the country’s damaged cinematic pride.

Recently, it is another Hollywood blockbuster that has got tongues wagging throughout Phnom Penh, and not just because it’s the latest in a growing line of movies to be filmed here.

This week, Transformers: Dark of the Moon became the first licensed foreign film to be shown on a cinema screen in Cambodia.

The venue was Cambodia’s inaugural Hollywood movie theatre, Legend Cinema, which raised its curtain to the highly-anticipating public for the first time on Thursday July 7, boasting two screens, offering Cambodian subtitles. But, for those who find traditional 2D viewing rather passé, there is another first for the country: 3D viewing.

“It was the first time I’ve seen a movie in 3D, I was amazed, it’s great to finally have a cinema like this,” 19-year-old student Visa Oun said as she left the cinema, still looking rather dazed.

“I live nearby, so will try and visit the cinema regularly, especially when there is a new release.”

The $1.5 million theatre is located within Phnom Penh’s latest shopping complex, City Mall, and comprises 800 seats, with tickets starting from $4, Michael Chai, Director of the theatre’s distributor, Westec Media Limited told 7Days.

“Cambodian residents no longer have to fly to Thailand and other neighbouring countries to see the latest Hollywood hit, they can have the same experience, for the same price in Cambodia, now,” he added.

As the titles began rolling, an impromptu round of applause spread through the theatre and Chai’s colleague, Simon Choo heralded the success of the launch.

“We had people queuing up for tickets before we even opened, we have seen an extremely positive response,” he said

“We will do our best to continue bringing the latest 3D films to the theatre, and hope to reach all corners of the community.”

With blockbuster season in full swing, following up the inevitably successful Transformers 3 will be the latest Kung-Fu Panda and X-Men installments.

However, a minor concern is the competition Legend Cinema faces from the large number of movie-watchers at home. The culture of purchasing pirate DVDs is one of the main reasons behind the current lack of cinemas in Cambodia, Chai says.

“There was a similar situation in Malaysia 10 years ago. It was the piracy capital of the world, and only four or five local films were released each year, but some now gross more than $1million there.
“This could be the catalyst for success in Cambodia’s film industry.”

I already got the ticket for Wed night. The cinema look awesome and can compete with our neighbor countries :)

I already got the ticket for Wed night. The cinema look awesome and can compete with our neighbor countries :)

hey LostInTheSimCity, how was last night? did you take any photo of Legend?

Sorry i didnt take any picture cos i was in hurry to get to my seat :)

U can follow them on facebook, there are plenty of pictures

Guy, guess what! We will have another hollywood licence cinema called "sabay cineplex" slated to open in Ausgust. U all can check on their facebook page "sabaycineplex"

Sorry i didnt take any picture cos i was in hurry to get to my seat :)



What about after the movie? :bash:

We finished the movie at almost 12am, so i was rushing home :)

Silver screen setting up

Friday, 29 July 2011 15:01
Liam Barnes

Construction was under way yesterday at Sabay’s cinema in Sorya Mall, aiming to be the second licenced Phnom Penh cinema to open recently.
Photo by: Pha Lina
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/images/stories/news/national/2011/110729/110729_7.jpg

SABAY Company is set to open a cinema in Sorya Mall on August 4, aiming to become the second cinema in as many months to show licenced films in the Kingdom, Sabay Chief Commercial Officer Abhaya said yesterday.

Legend cinema began showing primarily Hollywood movies in City Mall last month, but Sabay is aiming to offer patrons a more diverse range of international and independent films, he said yesterday.

“We don’t want to compete with the other cinema, as the market is still very small. However, we will show a number of Hollywood films alongside Asian blockbusters and independent films from around the world.”

Sabay received the green light to construct the theatre three months ago, at the same location as an existing cinema, and will comprise three screens, including one 3D.

The first movie to be screened will be the Chinese film Wu Xia, a hit at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

“We wanted the premiere to be a little different, a taste of things to come, and what is better than this highly successful Chinese export,” Abhaya said.

The second film set to be shown is Captain America: The First Avenger, which opened to US audiences last weekend.

The Cineplex will be only the second cinema nationwide to show legitimately distributed films, said Michael Chai, director of Sabay theatre’s distributor Westec Media Limited.

“I’m really happy. It’s great to see another cinema in Phnom Penh going down the legal path and with the right attitude.”

He added that he expects further Hollywood cinemas to open in the capital and is looking forward to the evolution of Cambodia’s film industry.

“The launch of these cinemas will evoke more companies’ interest in the idea of opening Hollywood-style cinemas and we are more than happy to advise them,” Chai said.

Tickets prices will start at $4, matching Legend Cinema, however, some industry experts doubt there will be many local filmgoers at first, given the Kingdom’s piracy culture and the lack of disposable income.

Although the recent emergence of new cinemas is a step in the right direction, it will be difficult to regularly attract people to the big screen when copied DVDs are widely available, Martin Robinson, co-founder of The Flicks Community Movie House, said last month.

“It’s unlikely that Cambodian families will pay $4 each to go to the movies when they can stay at home and watch a film that costs around $1,” he said.

The Legend Cinema's upcoming release schedule:

Transformers: Dark of the Moon — 7 July 2011
X-Men: First Class — 14 July 2011
Kung Fu Panda 2 — 21 July 2011
Thor — 28 July 2011
Captain America: The First Avenger — 4 August 2011
Rise of the Planet of the Apes — 11 August 2011
Cowboys and Aliens — 18 August 2011

According to legend cinema website, they already sold out more than 10,000 tickets within 3weeks after grand opening.

Look like a good starting point.

According to legend cinema website, they already sold out more than 10,000 tickets within 3weeks after grand opening.

Look like a good starting point.

can we trust what the website says or this is just some marketing work?
Do the other cinemas in PP often have a full house?

Why not? Cos i went to watched transformer III , The latest show at 8:45pm and i can i assumed the seats were occupied about 30-40% out of 250 seats. So if 500 patrons a day then it could make to 10,000 within 3weeks. 3 halls are operating in the same time with different movies now.

Bz time is afternoon or weekend (full house)

According to legend cinema website, they already sold out more than 10,000 tickets within 3weeks after grand opening.

Look like a good starting point.

It said it has 15 sesions a day at 800 seats, that is 252000 seats over 3 weeks.

10,000 tickets gives you 4% ticket sales, nothing to cheer about.

Ticket sales may decrease slightly after a few weeks, people are just rushing in to experience this first cinema showing foreign movies in Phnom Penh lol ..

I may go there this Tuesday night :)

Ticket sales may decrease slightly after a few weeks, people are just rushing in to experience this first cinema showing foreign movies in Phnom Penh lol ..

and this is going to be a real problem, if ticket sales (overall) isn't even good now, then it will get into serious trouble when the sales stablise.

Well, people may like it after their first visit, and they may come back again .. who knows

Not only Cambodian people go to cinema, the patrons are also foreigner both asian and european, especially chinese people.

With new released movies, i think they will come back for it :) included me

Well, people may like it after their first visit, and they may come back again .. who knows

People may or may not like it,

And if anyone is interest in Cinema experience, they should have already visit the cinema in the first few weeks (maybe up to 3 month). so imo, they should have capture majority of the people already, and if these does not looks promosing, its future does not looks good.

There will be the occasional tourist, but since they are in and out of the country, these number should be fairly stable.

Yes, lets see how it goes :)

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/2032/imag0759.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/654/imag0769z.jpg

Shouldn't these Cinema Thread be in the City and Places or
Infrastructure & Tourism subforum?

this is another cinema that doesn't get as much publicity as the one in city mall.


http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/7474/imag0757j.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3527/imag0758k.jpg

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/2032/imag0759.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/654/imag0769z.jpg

Shouldn't these Cinema Thread be in the City and Places or Infrastructure & Tourism subforum?

This cinema is quiet small compare to the one in city mall. They have less than 100seats per hall and the chair to too small. But i heard they will upgrade to big chair soon.

This cinema is quiet small compare to the one in city mall. They have less than 100seats per hall and the chair to too small. But i heard they will upgrade to big chair soon.

They need to compete with City mall's Legend.

But this is brand new as well, I don't go up on the top floor that often, it is showing western movie, if it is older, Legend can't claim to be the first. So it is interesting why they are behind from day 1.

As with 100 seats, does it get a full house, 75 % full here is better then 30% full in a 400 seat cinema.

They need to compete with City mall's Legend.

But this is brand new as well, I don't go up on the top floor that often, it is showing western movie, if it is older, Legend can't claim to be the first. So it is interesting why they are behind from day 1.

As with 100 seats, does it get a full house, 75 % full here is better then 30% full in a 400 seat cinema.

What? Isn't that 75% of 100 seats is 75, and 30% of 400 seats is 120? Which one would you get more money out of the sale of tickets? In term of revenue, you would get more in the 30% of 400 seats. But, it also depends on the cost to run it as well.

What? Isn't that 75% of 100 seats is 75, and 30% of 400 seats is 120? Which one would you get more money out of the sale of tickets? In term of revenue, you would get more in the 30% of 400 seats. But, it also depends on the cost to run it as well.

The 75 seats will probably give you more profit, if it can breakeven sooner. It profit sooner. Unless the Citymall cinema get good usage, it probably can't even cover its running cost. Hollywood movies does need licensing fees.

For the owner's P&L, it is better to have a smaller cinema but with better usage. For the viewer perspective, a smaller (but not too small) but fuller cinema give you better watching experience.

I don't know how people think, if it is the same ticket price, people will probably perfer to watch a larger screen, if is slightly cheaper, (I forgot to check ticket price), then some may perfer cheaper ticket.

Shouldn't these Cinema Thread be in the City and Places or
Infrastructure & Tourism subforum?

Yes, I think it belongs to the ''City and Places'' thread :)

SABAY Cineplex
http://thecineplexs.com/

SABAY Cineplex
http://thecineplexs.com/

They got rise of the planet of the apes. Which my Singapore friend recommended, I want to see it, but probably not so suitable for my boys.

I haven't been to either one of these cinemas, hopefully can make a visit to Legend Cinema if I am free sometimes next week :)

Cosplayers at the premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1" on 15 Aug 2011 at Legend Cinema

Photos by: Legend Cinema
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/297590_152802911468621_119536818128564_293726_1520013_a.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/293925_152802968135282_119536818128564_293727_6812380_a.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/294280_152803378135241_119536818128564_293736_6816842_a.jpg

Legend Cinema

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/261849_133965686685677_119536818128564_240652_2370663_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/262380_133994433349469_119536818128564_240703_1867981_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269623_134427753306137_119536818128564_242124_2355634_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/271192_134428483306064_119536818128564_242126_652085_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/282306_137019956380250_119536818128564_250534_3838507_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225682_144799758935603_119536818128564_271201_3458466_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225682_144799758935603_119536818128564_271201_3458466_n.jpg

Well, this looks like a full house, if they can get some of these everyday, they are doing very well.

^^ Don't expect it happens everyday, this photo was taken on the first day of their opening :)

A few people have said that the cinema is fine, but the audience are constantly munching on food, and either chatting with each other or on their phones so it's nearly impossible to enjoy any movie at these cinemas.

A few people have said that the cinema is fine, but the audience are constantly munching on food, and either chatting with each other or on their phones so it's nearly impossible to enjoy any movie at these cinemas.

I bet the investor didn't expect that to happen.

Turn phone off (or at the minimum, put it to silence). Basic cinema etiquette.

fast five & car 2 event orgazined by Legend Cinema

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m482/haidaline/ce8398d1.jpg
http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m482/haidaline/6042e473.jpg
http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m482/haidaline/2714048f.jpg
http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m482/haidaline/8af6fe2e.jpg
http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m482/haidaline/2cecb59b.jpg
http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m482/haidaline/c5605259.jpg
http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m482/haidaline/9b5d45c7.jpg
http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m482/haidaline/24eca4c5.jpg
http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m482/haidaline/da8f6fd7.jpg

I spot this Porsche at the riverside last night :)

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m482/haidaline/2714048f.jpg

Pirates blasted at Legend cinema grand opening

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2011091651686/Lifestyle/pirates-blasted-at-legend-cinema-grand-opening.html

Friday, 16 September 2011 15:01
Kyle Sherer

The Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, the Minister of Information and the Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts cut the ribbon at Legend Cinema. Photo by: TOUCH YIN VANNITH
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/images/stories/news/national/2011/110916/110916_7d03.jpg

Legend cinema was officially launched last Saturday, with a ribbon-cutting and Avatar-watching ceremony attended by Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information, Khim Sarith, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and So Mara, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism.

Though the cinema has been screening Hollywood films for a couple of months now, the launch was the official pinch-in-the-arm moment needed to remind Phnom Penhites that watching international movies in a theatre with popcorn, rather than bootlegged Russian knock-offs on a laptop, was not just a glorious dream.

But rather than extolling the virtues of viewing Rise of the Planet of the Apes on the big screen, the speeches at the ceremony had a different focus – promoting the local cinema industry by cracking down on illegal DVD copies.

Khim Sarith gave a stirring speech about stopping the blackmarket trade, and Michael Chai, director of Westec Media, the film distributor to Legend, told 7Days that he is determined to keep the pirates on the proper side of the screen.

Chai said that the bootleg trade of local movies makes it impossible for production companies to get a return on their earnings, thereby kneecapping the industry altogether – a situation he also saw unfold in his home country of Malaysia.

“In the past, Malaysia was very similar to where Cambodia is right now. Malaysian cinema had its great heyday, then piracy came in and it completely crashed, and now it’s coming back up again,” he said.

“I’ve been involved in the industry in Malaysia for six or seven years and I’ve seen a reduction in piracy...Since then, you see local movies hitting past three to four million ringgit, which is about $1.5 million US dollars, at the local box office. That’s a big benchmark.”

Chai said that he is working with local production houses to generate more Cambodian movies. Not only so that they can be shown at Legend, but also so he can export them to other countries.

“Cambodia has enormous potential,” he said. “These guys are really creative. The houses here have great script writers, they have an incredible history of motion pictures, they were one of the leaders in the region about 30 to 40 years ago.”

Fortunately for Chai, the piracy trade is less likely to hurt the box office returns of big-budget international releases. But that doesn’t mean that all the blockbusters he brings in will pack the seats.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II, for example, did not make the same impact in Phnom Penh that it did over the globe. And he doesn’t bother to import most American comedies, because while the language may translate, the humour doesn’t.

Chai is sticking mainly with the universal language – car chases and big explosions. Transformers 3 went gangbusters at Legend, and Fast Five also drew solid audiences.

Still, he’s wistful that Cambodian audiences may warm up to some of his favourite films.

“I love Shark Night 3D,” he said, referring to the much-maligned shlocky horror flick released earlier this year. “I’m a big fan of action, campy horror. I might bring it in just to see what the response is like.”

I been to the Legend Cinema last Sunday, I ask if Car 2 (as my kids want to watch it) will be on the following Sunday, they said they don't know.

Looking at their website, it also doesn't say.

How far do these people plan their screening sessions? You got to be loosing customers if customer can't plan which movie they want to watch.

SMEs thrive, but also face challenges

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012021354462/Business/smes-thrive-but-also-face-challenges.html

Brennan Stark
Monday, 13 February 2012

While approved investments for large-scale projects in Cambodia saw exponential growth in 2011, smaller, less capital-intensive businesses are sprouting up quickly in the Kingdom’s capital.

The vast majority of Cambodian businesses are small- to medium-sized enterprises, or SMEs, according to the Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia. FASMEC estimates the SME numbers at about 500,000.

The enterprises have become a driving force in the economy by employing 1.4 million Cambodians, or more than 12 per cent of the labour force, FASMEC President Te Taing Por said last week.

Yet competition among Cambodia’s entrepreneurs is fierce and capital from banks often hard to secure, which edges some businesses out of the market, officials at the federation have said.

Many SMEs are far from earning a sufficient cash flow, FASMEC executive director Lun Yeng said.

Some individuals at the hearts of the businesses said innovation, especially the introduction of previously unavailable products, has brought enormous success into the sector.

The key, according to Legend Cinema marketing executive Koy Socheat, is offering something that people want but don’t have, which he says was easy in an economy still in its developing stages. The theatre, which opened last July, became Cambodia’s first cinema to offer screenings of fully-licensed, digitalized Hollywood movies.

“When we first opened, expats and foreigners were coming up to us and saying, ‘I have been waiting more than 10 years for something like this to finally come here’,” he said.

Special efforts are devoted to securing 3D titles, which Koy Socheat says are in high demand. “They don’t care about which movie it is, or what’s going on, or which actors are in it, they only care about wearing those 3D glasses.”

With plans to expand to six new locations in Phnom Penh this year, it’s likely Legend Cinema will exceed the 100-staff-or-fewer limit that classifies it as an SME, an outline provided by FASMEC officials.

Other Phnom Penh SMEs making only a tiny fraction of the theatre, however, still consider themselves successful. Money was never the main goal of her business, co-owner of Mozart Music Centre Malika Ok said.

“If we thought only of profit, we couldn’t teach music in Cambodia,” she said, adding that the centre’s low prices would encourage more students to pick up instruments.

Even with financial obstacles, Mozart could open another centre within two years if the number of students continues to expand, Malika Ok said.

“Both word-of-mouth and our annual performances with the Institut Français du Cambodge have made us increasingly popular,” Mozart founder and primary music instructor Hang Rithyravuth explained.

The number of SMEs sprouting up in Cambodia is also growing, says Te Taing Por, who attributes the increase to recent “political stability and the growth in GDP for Cambodians, which provides more buying power in the market”.

Business registration statistics at the Ministry of Commerce suggest the development is parallel with the national economc growth, totalling a 6.9 per cent increase in 2011.

Although Te Taing Por said the government could adopt more measures to assist the enterprises, he added that last week’s government issuing of a new prakas aimed at speeding up and simplifying Cambodia’s business registration process was a step in the right direction.

The prakas is expected to transform a tedious three-step licensing process for new businesses into a “one-stop shop,” as Lun Yeng put it, and would encourage the further development of small businesses.

I finally get to bring my kids to the Legend today, watch the Lorex in 3D. The screen is quite small in my opinion, the screen aspect ratio is wrong as the bottom part of the movie is cut off.

It is in Cinema 1, the larger room, I think there are about 50 viewers.

Titanic 3D will be on next month, anyone plan to watch it?

Yes, the screen is quite small, but it is better than nothing at all lol ..