Immersive hi-tech movie experience now in Zhuhai

The country's first all-THX certified multiplex cinema, which gives 1,500 moviegoers a totally immersive audio-visual experience, opened near Zhuhai Opera House on Yeli Island on Dec 7.

The 50-million-yuan ($7.6 million) 8,000-sq-m Zhuhai Haiyun China Film Cinema is located in A1 Building of Hi City. The leisure and recreation commercial complex of the Opera House off the shore of Central Lovers Avenue was developed by Zhuhai Urban Construction Group Co Ltd.

The movie theater is a cooperative effort between the Construction Group and China Film Cinema Investment Co Ltd -- a subsidiary of State-backed China Film Group Corp, the largest and most influential state-owned film enterprise as well as the only importer of foreign movies into China.

All ten 400-seat high-end laser digital auditoriums comply with international THX standards established in the United States. Two are fitted with China Film Giant Screen (CGS), a large-format system developed by China Film Co and the China Research Institute of Film Science & Technology. CGS guarantees a five-star fully digital luxury film experience.

Opening ceremony of Zhuhai Haiyun China Film Cinema 

Also available are VIP auditoriums that allow no distractions or other obstacles to understanding the work of the movie director or producer.

Movie souvenirs are available at little expense, and one can explore film culture at a dedicated exhibition area while sampling the complex's food and drinks.

The venture's mission was to create the top consumer experience in the largest and best-equipped film-themed entertainment park in Zhuhai, according to a project head.

Zhuhai Urban Construction Group's intention in partnering with China Film Group Corp was to develop the film industry on a long-term basis under a shared vision.

The vision was described at the cinema's opening ceremony as "Spreading splendid culture to create a better life." In keeping with that goal, and in addition to Zhuhai's new THX theatre, another co-invested China Film Cinema will be built in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Great Bay Area, along with the establishment of a co-partnership investment fund on the film and culture industry. 

Letter of intent signed by China Film Group Corp and Zhuhai Urban Construction Group Co Ltd

Moreover, Zhuhai is likely to have a film-television industry base with the mission of developing not only a film and television culture but also tourism, leisure, and entertainment, according to remarks made at the opening ceremony.

The parties pledged to make full use of their respective advantages and to maintain Zhuhai as the key to their further development in the Greater Bay Area.

Lin Minjie, executive director of China Film Cinema Investment Co Ltd; Zhang Fan, chairman of the board of Zhuhai Urban Construction Group Co Ltd; Liu Jianjun, general manager of Zhuhai Urban Construction Hi City Asset Management Co; THX Global Technology Director Steve Martz; and Zhang Wei, head of the China Research Institute of Film Science & Technology, attended the event.

Hi City, 64,000 sq m in area, supports the neighboring Opera House by providing cultural services under the theme of "Happy Island, Artistic Sea & Romantic Love." On its opening day, Dec 3, it had more than 50,000 visitors. Now, as home to the new theater, its standing as another cultural tourism landmark for Zhuhai is assured.

Film corridor 

First-class viewing experience [Photos by Zhong Fan / Zhuhai Daily]