Four-hall cinema under construction in Hulhumale'

Youth Minister Ibrahim Waheed (Asward) stated last night that discussions were held to open a state-of-the-art cinema with the help of a foreign investor.

A citizen posed the query last night during the Ahaa Forum whether a new cinema with state-of-the-art services was in their pipeline of ideas due to Olympus currently being renovated.

Asward said that Maldives doesn't have an actual cinema and while Olympus may be used as one, it was built with the intention of being used as a theatre of for plays.

These days, Olympus is being used to showcase local films, host music shows and for school contests.

Asward said that they will find a solution to the concerns being raised by residents, film producers and artists.

He went on to say that the core issue isn't going to be solved even if renovations take place along with chairs and projectors being replaced. Due to Olympus having just the one screen, it is difficult to keep up with the demands of local producers and that the solution is to build a state-of-the-art cinema.

"I imagine it [Olympus] is like a time bomb waiting to explode," Asward said.

"The local populace goes to watch movies at a very specific time. Due to their schedules, they don't go during the morning, afternoon or evening, unless its on the weekends. They go after Isha prayers and after watching the news at around 8:30pm."

Asward went on to say that completely renovating Olympus will have negative consequences on the artists. With that in mind, the government's thinking is to leave Olympus as it is and build a new state-of-the-art cinema.

"We have spoken to potential investors about this and we're not just saying this to appease anyone. We have met them and they are ready," he stated.

Asward said that they will work towards acquiring the required land for the cinema by talking to HDC.

"We will work towards building a cinema with at least four screens so that four screenings can be held simultaneously in one night," stated Asward.

Olympus saw extensive renovations to its cinema hall and interiors during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's government. The funding for this was acquired via free aid from the Indian government worth MVR 8 million.

Maldives currently has two cinemas to choose from. One is Olympus which specializes in Maldivian cinema and the other is Schwack which screens international movies. Nevertheless, the quality of the cinemas leave the public wanting more.