KEY POINTS:
Local Asian cinemagoers are thrilled at the news that they will be able to catch the latest blockbuster Asian movies in Auckland cinemas from Thursday.
In a trial, SkyCity Cinemas at Queen Street and Highland Park will screen films from Hong Kong and China, and occasionally feature movies from Korea, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan, all with English subtitles. The launch of SkyCity Cinema Asia follows the success of the screening of Bollywood movies for the Indian community at its Manukau theatres, which has been consistently attracting larger than average turnouts.
The news that the Asian movies will be released on the same day and date with Asian markets have excited Asian movie fans here.
Business student Jesslyn Yi, 21, originally from Wuhan, China, says one of the biggest things she misses is watching Chinese movies.
"In China, we watch movies very frequently, and it is part of our social lifestyle," Miss Yi said.
But since coming to New Zealand last year, the only way she and her friends had been able to catch the latest Chinese blockbusters is by downloading them from the internet or buying pirated DVDs.
"Movies are a window to another culture, and the Asian movies will most definitely help to foster better understanding between ethnic groups and mainstream New Zealanders," said Jim He, secretary general of the United Chinese Associations of NZ, and an organiser for New Zealand movie festivals in China.
He said it was good that Chinese movies were becoming more mainstream, and not just being screened at film festivals or art house theatres.
"Going to the cinema is very popular among the Chinese, especially for the younger ones who are on the dating scene. This will add to the things they can do here, and to New Zealand's quiet nightlife."
Jane Hastings, general manager of SkyCity Cinemas, said: "We're delighted to be the first to match New Zealand's increasingly ethnic diversity, particularly in Auckland."
Screenings at SkyCity Cinema Asia will open with Ip Man, based on the true life story of the grandmaster of Wing Chun-style kung fu, and sifu (master) of legendary martial arts superstar Bruce Lee. Other screenings lined up include Lady Cop Mama Crook and Look for a Star.
