A wave of cinema shutdowns in Hong Kong will have a knock-on effect on the entire movie business, an industry veteran has warned, attributing the demise to changing consumer patterns and the lacklustre economy.
Filmmaker Tenky Tin Kai-man told the Post on Thursday that the closure of the seventh cinema so far this year would not only undermine the competitiveness of the industry, but also Hong Kong’s image as an international city.
MCL’s branch in Plaza Hollywood, Diamond Hill, closed its curtain for the final time on Thursday night, leaving just 15 outlets operating under the company.
“With fewer cinemas, it is more difficult to schedule movies and affect the return of our costs … Even if we have two more blockbusters, we don’t have sufficient cinemas for them,” Tin said.
“People in the industry will lose their jobs or change jobs. Then, the Hong Kong movie industry is over and loses its competitiveness.
“Without having [movies as] the talk of the town or chances to create its reputation, how can Hong Kong attract others as an international city?”