COSY UP IN THE CINEMA WITH STER-KINEKOR’S JUNE THROWBACK CINEMA TITLES

Enjoy these classic movies for just R50 at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas

The days are getting shorter as the cold weather sets in across South Africa. The perfect way to beat the winter blues is to cosy up with your besties, loved ones or family for a few hours in the darkened excitement of a cinema, to watch or rewatch some of your favourite classic movie titles. And, with the ticket price at just R50, Ster-Kinekor’s Throwback Cinema offering should be a weekly event in your diary!

“Our Throwback Cinema titles continue to perform well and are proving to be a very popular option to watch some classic movies again on the big screen. The June line-up includes three iconic titles, and a real classic from the 1930s that will be shown at Rosebank Nouveau in Joburg. Featuring big Hollywood stars, we are sure our audiences will enjoy all of them, either as repeat viewing or for a first-time cinema experience,” says Lynne Wylie, chief marketing officer at Ster-Kinekor Theatres.

Releasing on 05 June for a week, is the beautifully filmed screen version of Baroness Karen von Blixen’s iconic book, Out of Africa. First released in 1985 and directed by Sydney Pollack, it tells the life story of the Danish author who, at the beginning of the 20th century, moved to Africa to build a new life for herself. The film is based on her 1937 autobiographical novel. Starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford in the title roles, the film is set in 20th-century colonial Kenya where Blixen, a Danish baroness/plantation owner, has a passionate love affair with a free-spirited big-game hunter, Denys Finch Hatton. The film also stars Klaus Maria Brandauer as Karen’s ex-husband, Baron Bror von Blixen.

Watch the trailer here

With the 50^th anniversary this year of the Soweto Uprising that took place on 16 June 1976, Ster-Kinekor is bringing back the iconic film, Sarafina, from 05 June. A Soweto schoolgirl named Sarafina is galvanised to protest apartheid after her teacher is arrested for her activism, leading her to join the student resistance movement. First released in 1992, this musical drama is directed by Darrell Roodt, and stars Whoopi Goldberg, Leleti Khumalo, Miriam Makeba, John Kani, Mbongeni Ngema (on whose play the film is based), and Robert Whitehead, among others.

Watch the trailer here

The Hobbit fans, new and old, are in for a treat with the release of all three films in the series over the next three months: from 12 June for two weeks, the first film, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, re-releases on the big screen; in July, from 24 July for two weeks, fans can relive all the action of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; and from 14 August, for two weeks, the third and final title, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, concludes the trilogy.

The 2012 fantasy epic drama, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, based on the classic novel by JRR Tolkien, releases on 12 June for two weeks. Audiences are invited to re-experience the magic of Middle Earth as Ster-Kinekor’s Throwback Cinema brings this classic film back to the cinema. Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, and Thorin Oakenshield’s legendary company of dwarves launch their epic quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the gold within it from the dragon Smaug. This re-release offers both lifelong Hobbit fans and a new generation of moviegoers the chance to experience Academy Award-winning director Peter Jackson’s visually stunning storytelling, rich world-building, and groundbreaking special effects the way they were meant to be seen – on the big screen. The film’s all-star cast includes Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett and Ken Stott.

Watch the trailer here

And, releasing on 26 June in time for the start of the mid-year school holidays is the delightful story of Stuart Little, first released back in 1999. When the Little family first adopts Stuart, the mouse, George is initially unwelcoming to his new brother, while the family cat, Snowbell, is even less enthusiastic. Stuart resolves to face these difficulties with as much pluck and courage as his little self can muster. Directed by Rob Minkoff, the film stars Geena Davis, Michael J Fox (who voices Stuart Little), Hugh Laurie, Jonathan Lipnicki, and Nathan Lane (Showbell’s voice).

Watch the trailer here

At Rosebank Nouveau in Johannesburg, cinemagoers can enjoy a timeless American classic from 1939, Gone with the Wind. Based on the Margaret Mitchell novel, the film follows a sheltered and manipulative Southern belle, Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh), and a roguish profiteer, Rhett Butler (Clark Gable), who face off in a turbulent romance as the society around them crumbles with the end of slavery and is rebuilt during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods. The winner of eight Oscars in 1940, the film was directed by Victor Fleming and also stars Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard, Hattie McDaniel, Butterfly McQueen, Thomas Mitchell, Barbara O’Neil, Alicia Rhett and Howard Hickman.

Watch the trailer here

July’s Throwback Cinema line-up promises even more hours of movie magic on the big screen with animation and comedy, epic adventures and musicals. Stuart Little screens for a second week from 03 July, while the magical musical, Annie, releases on 10 July for two weeks. The final week of July, from 24 July, sees the second film in The Hobbit franchise, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, which will also screen for two weeks.

Throwback Cinema titles are screened at the following Ster-Kinekor sites: Sandton, Mall of Africa, Cedar Square, Eastgate, Cresta and Rosebank Nouveau in Johannesburg; Brooklyn, Irene and The Grove in Tshwane; Vaal in Vanderbijlpark; MooiRiver Mall in Potchefstroom; Watercrest Mall in Waterfall, KZN; Baywest in Gqeberha; Somerset Mall in Somerset West; and Blue Route, V&A Waterfront, and Capegate in Cape Town, giving more movie fans the opportunity to enjoy June’s great line-up of classic films.

Tickets for all the Throwback Cinema movies are only R50. Book on the new-look Ster-Kinekor website at www.sterkinekor.com or download the new-look SK App on your smartphone.  For news and updates, go to Facebook: Ster-Kinekor Theatres | follow Ster-Kinekor on Twitter: @Ster-Kinekor. For all queries, call Ticketline on 0861-Movies (668 437).

#DoMoviesRight       #SterKinekor       #SKThrowbackCinema 

Issued by:                         aHead PR                                                      

On behalf of:                     Ster-Kinekor Theatres                                                                      

For media information:     Janet de Kretser                                                 

Tel:                                    083 973 3531

E-mail:                               This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Ster-Kinekor Theatres

Ster-Kinekor Theatres is the largest movie exhibitor on the African continent. To most South Africans, the word ‘movies’ is synonymous with the name ‘Ster-Kinekor’. The company operates 32 commercial cinema complexes in South Africa that house 249 large-scale screens, with 33 110 seats and the largest 3D footprint featuring 99 state-of-the-art 3D screens in South Africa (Commercial, 3D, IMAX, Kids Cinema and Cine Prestige). It also operates four cinema complexes in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia, with 23 screens and 3 014 seats.

As the industry leader, Ster-Kinekor has pioneered cinema concepts such as Cinema Nouveau, a dedicated art-house multiplex cinema, and the luxurious Cine Prestige theatres, the first ‘business class’ cinema experience in South Africa; and has headed the return of the IMAX® Experience, with nine IMAX® Theatres across the country. Ster-Kinekor has expanded its cinema innovation to launch the first Kids’ Cinema complete with slides and bean bag seating (currently seven screens) as well as D-BOX which brings movie experiences to life with motion seats. Most recently, Ster-Kinekor introduced SKX-PERIENCE Powered by Jozi X at The Zone in Rosebank, an indoor adventure hub offering axe throwing, gel blaster, splatter room and escape rooms, adding a new dimension to the Ster-Kinekor entertainment experience.

As one of South Africa’s most loved brands, it is Ster-Kinekor’s ongoing mission to become synonymous with the unrivalled magic of the cinema experience, by providing ‘Great Moments at Their Greatest’. During 2013, the company embarked on a massive roll-out project to convert and equip every cinema with the very latest in digital projection and sound technology. The result of this upgrade is that every cinema now boasts state-of-the-art cinema technology that encompasses 2K and 4K digital projection and 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound systems.

The SK Club loyalty programme rewards members with redeemable points when they swipe their card when buying movie tickets or catering, as well as half-price tickets on Tuesdays. Combined with industry-leading loyalty programmes from Edgars Club and Discovery Vitality, these give Ster-Kinekor a strong consumer value proposition and competitive advantage. Ster-Kinekor has extended its loyalty offering to include the first subscription model in South Africa: SK Subscription Club, which offers members a limited or unlimited number of movies per month at a set cost whilst also enjoying the benefits of SK Club.

As the market leader, Ster-Kinekor aims to spearhead the advancement of cinema across both South Africa and the rest of Africa, to ensure that consumers continue to experience movies as they were made to be seen – on the big screen.

See more at: www.sterkinekor.com