EXCLUSIVELY IN STER-KINEKOR IMAX THEATRES IN SA, LIMITED SCREENINGS FROM 18 JANUARY 2024

IMAX and Pathé Live in partnership with Mercury Studios and Queen Films has announced that, for the very first time, one of the world’s biggest bands will perform on cinema’s biggest screens with the global release of “QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL,” exclusively in IMAX® beginning 18 January 2024. This exhilarating live concert from 1981 is a window into Queen in its most unalloyed form, giving audiences a larger-than-life, front-row immersive experience.

The film was digitally re-mastered for the first time into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience®, including 12-channel surround sound, crystal-clear images, and IMAX’s customised theatre geometry.

Rock & roll royalty Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon take to the stage in a historic and exhilarating performance of their greatest hits including “We Will Rock You”, “Somebody To Love”, “Under Pressure”, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Another One Bites the Dust”, “We Are The Champions”, and additional songs from the popular album The Game including “Dragon Attack”, “Play the Game”, and more. Executive producers include Geoff Kempin and Alice Webb for Mercury Studios and Jim Beach and Matilda Beach for Queen Films.

“I don’t think we quite realised it at the time, but this film has preserved one of the highest peaks in Queen’s touring life, on stage in the old glory days.  The director was very much focused on Freddie, and this now stands as probably the most precious intimate capture ever of Mr. Mercury at his full awesome power,” said Brian May.  Added Roger Taylor, “Enjoy. We were young!”

“QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL” will be released in over 450 IMAX locations globally for four days only, beginning on 18 January.  Participating territories include the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico, to name a few. For a list of theatres and to purchase tickets please visit the Ster-Kinekor website.

 “QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL” captures a pivotal moment in the band’s history.  When Queen returned for the fourth time to Montreal’s 18,000-seat Forum in November 1981, where this concert was recorded, it was after a 15-month absence during which they became the biggest band in the world.  Fueled by the release of The Game album, their smash single “Under Pressure,” and extensive touring, Queen now dominated the charts in every major territory across the globe.

The two shows that took place in Montreal – November 24 and 25, 1981 – were arranged specifically to set Queen up for another first: shooting a full-length concert film to properly document their live show, highlighting the state-of-the art sound recording.  Having spent almost two years on the road, the group was ready for such a challenge and hit Montreal in top form for what would end up being two consecutive sold out, legendary nights. 

“QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL” not only delivers Queen in its rawest form but captures the unparalleled musicianship and vocal talents of Freddie, Brian, Roger and John performing together.  Showcasing the group in their pre-Hot Space album era, before keyboards would find a place in the band’s touring line up, this classic concert film shows these talented musicians in total cohesion while finding space to demonstrate their individual strengths. Directed by Saul Swimmer, “QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL” marks the first concert captured on film of this legendary and groundbreaking band.

All Ster-Kinekor IMAX sites are fitted with a generator, so you can leave your loadshedding problems at home, and enjoy an uninterrupted big concert experience on the biggest screen at The Grove in Tshwane, Cradlestone, Eastgate and Mall of Africa in Johannesburg, Gateway in KZN, Baywest in Gqeberha (PE) and at Capegate, Tygervalley and V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

The concert film will be screened on 18, 19 and 20 January 2024 at 17:30 and 20:00, and on 21 January 2024 at 16:30 and 19:00. The screening time is 95 minutes.

Bookings are now open for your ‘golden circle’ front row ticket to experience “QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL” in IMAX. Book your tickets now at www.sterkinekor.com or download the 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   #QueenRockMontreal   #IMAX

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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 43 commercial cinema complexes in South Africa, with six international sites based in Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The cinema chain’s sites house 342 large-scale screens, with 47 961 seats and the largest 3D footprint featuring 124 state-of-the-art 3D screens in South Africa (Commercial, 3D, IMAX and Cine Prestige). The company operates in 6 cinema complexes with 33 screens and 4 077 seats in Africa.

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. It boasts a cinema that is fitted with the advanced Dolby Atmos sound system (at Gateway in Durban); 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 7 screens) as well as D-BOX which brings movie experiences to life with motion seats.

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 have extended their loyalty offering to include the first subscription model in South Africa, SK Subscription Club offers members a limited or unlimited amount 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

About IMAX Corporation:

IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture, and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX systems to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, making IMAX's network among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe. 

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of September 30, 2023, there were 1,731 IMAX systems (1,651 commercial multiplexes, 12 commercial destinations, 68 institutional) operating in 87 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "1970."

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, Experience It In IMAX®, The IMAX Experience®, DMR®, Filmed For IMAX®, IMAX LIVE™, IMAX Enhanced® are trademarks and trade names of IMAX Corporation or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions. For more information, visit www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Instagram ( www.instagram.com/imax ), Facebook ( www.facebook.com/imax ), LinkedIn ( www.linkedin.com/company/imax ), X ( www.twitter.com/imax ), and YouTube ( www.youtube.com/imaxmovies ).

About Pathé Live:

Pathé Live is a pioneer in global distribution of event cinema. Over the last 10 years, the subsidiary of Pathé group has released over 200 events in cinemas including operas (Metropolitan Opera Live in HD in French speaking territories), classical ballets (producer and worldwide distributor of the Bolshoi Ballet cinema series which ended right after the beginning of the war) and record-breaking music concerts such as BTS - LOVE YOURSELF IN SEOUL (2019), MYLENE FARMER 2019 – THE FILM (2019) and INDOCHINE – CENTRAL TOUR IN CINEMA (first ever Filmed for IMAX concert film – 2022 – French speaking territories only). Pathé Live strives to reach the widest international audience with epic, prestigious and unmissable cultural events combining uniquely communal cinematic experiences with the highest quality image, sound and comfort tailored for the big screen.