Following the record-breaking opening of Africa’s first ever 4DX cinema at Nu Metro V&A Waterfront in December, Nu Metro Cinemas has announced that the next 4DX cinema will open its doors to the public at Nu Metro in The Pavilion Shopping Centre in Durban from Friday, March 18.
Durbanites will now also be able to experience the revolutionary 4DX-format with ALLEGIANT as its opening title – releasing in 4DX from 18 March at Nu Metro The Pavilion. It promises to give cinemagoers an adrenalin-fueled, multi-sensory, digital 4D movie experience like no other.
Nu Metro Cinemas signed an agreement with CJ 4DPLEX, creator of 4DX last year – the world’s first 4D cinema technology for feature films – a partnership that for the first time brings 4DX to Africa. 4DX, which uses motion, vibration, water, wind, lightning, scents, and more to provide moviegoers with a truly immersive experience, has been expanding at a fast pace and, with this deal, will be available in 182 auditoriums across 34 countries, with a goal to reach 300 auditoriums by the first half of 2016.
“Nu Metro Cinemas would like to extend a big THANK YOU to the thousands of customers who have supported 4DX with sold out-shows in Cape Town during the past few months. We wanted to give South Africa a truly immersive cinema experience, and it has been embraced as such,” stated Nitesh Matai, GM for Nu Metro Cinemas. “4DX fulfilled those expectations as the new 4DX cinemas involve all five senses for consumers to enjoy a cinema outing like nothing else they’ve seen, heard, or felt before. We are now very excited to open the 2nd 4DX cinema in Africa at our state-of-the-art cineplex in Durban’s The Pavilion Shopping Centre. Get ready KZN, it is going to exceed your wildest cinematic expectations!”
“4DX continues to outdeliver non-4D feature film performances around the world, as it expands into new markets, and now to its fifth continent,” said Byung Hwan Choi, CEO of CJ 4DPLEX. “Nu Metro Cinemas has recently been adding new features and expanding its reach, and we look forward to working with them as both companies continue to grow.”
Nu Metro’s Head of Technical was sent to Seoul for 3 weeks to specifically train for certified status to manage the installation of 4DX technology locally. An existing cinema at Nu Metro The Pavilion is in the process of being converted to a world-class 4DX cinema. This process involves the installation of cutting-edge screen and sound technology, special seating pods and other equipment required for the 4DX sensory overload.
The films screened in 4DX will be in HD/2D and Digital 3D on a silver curved wall-to-wall screen (9,7m wide x 5.2m high). Its audio system has been upgraded to a Dolby CP750 with 7.1 full surround sound. The Barco projector used in the cinema now also uses an upgraded lamp for brighter picture in both 2D and 3D.
“We had to install a complete new steel floor structure to be able to handle the 0.3G-force the unit moves with; as well as water, air and scent lines. The complete system uses 24 computers (1 in each of the 21 seats, a motion PC, a monitor PC and a screen server). The ‘force’ utilises Servo motors and transducers, and not hydraulics, making the movement much smoother and more active. South Africa is in for a total new way of watching movies!” explains Johan van Staden, Nu Metro Cinemas’ Head of Technical.
Additional features recently introduced by Nu Metro Cinemas at its other sites in South Africa include Scene Xtreme – which features Dolby Atmos/Auro 11.1 sound, RealD’s new PWS screens, world-class digital 3D technology as well as 4K Ultra High Definition projection – and Scene VIP – adding luxurious, recliner seating, a VIP lounge/bar and an à la carte menu to the cinema experience at select locations.
