Who pulled the emergency brake?
The government issued new orders to save power. Shops and malls must now close by 6:00 PM. This is because of a global energy crisis. Multiplexes are mostly located inside these malls. They must close early too. Major chains like Blockbuster Cinemas and Star Cineplex stopped all evening shows on April 5. The Bonolota Express was moving fast with fans. Now it has nowhere to go after sunset.
Is Prime Time now Ghost Time?
Evening and night shows are the best for business. Filmmakers call this prime time. Families usually visit theaters after a full day of work. If screenings end by 7:00 PM, many viewers cannot attend. Directors of movies like Bonolota Express, Pressure Cooker, and Domm are very worried. The theaters are empty when they should be the most crowded.
Why are some screens still bright while others go dark?
There is a strange gap in the rules. Multiplexes in malls are closed after 6:00 PM. However, single-screen theaters like “Ananda” stay open. These single screens do not follow the mall rules. They show movies until 8:30 PM. This creates an unfair market. People can see Prince or Rakkhosh on single screens at night. But fans of Bonolota Express at a multiplex are out of luck.
Will the producers’ wallets survive the movie blackout?
Making a film costs millions of taka. Producers invest this money hoping for Eid profits. This festive period is the main time to recover their investment. Shutting down during peak hours makes it hard to get money back. Business experts say the risk of loss is now very high. If they cannot earn back their money, the local film industry could collapse. This is a major crisis for the creative economy.
The root of this trouble is far away. The conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel has shaken the world. Global oil prices have jumped to $121 per barrel. Bangladesh is an energy-import-dependent nation. The country is now bleeding money to pay for fuel. LPG prices have hit record highs. Fuel is being rationed across many districts. Bangladesh suffers because global war makes energy too expensive. The movie industry is just one victim of this massive economic shock.
The politicians are busy painting the world red with the blood of Iran, Israel, and America, while your screens go dark at seven. It is a strange comedy, is it not?
– Opinion | Daily ScrollDown