Free 3D films draw crowds in HCMC

Seeing triple: The opening of 3D cinemas with free viewings in remote city districts has drawn kids and parents alike.

"It's great to see 3D animated films. I love Puss in Boots and Doraemon. When I wear the 3D glasses I see the cats running towards me," said eight-year-old Le Hoang Hanh Vy, a third grader from Nha Be District's Nguyen Truc Primary School.

She said her parents have low income jobs and little spare time, which makes it difficult to take her to the city's downtown to see films.

"I've seen Pooh's Adventures and Alice in Wonderland many times without having to buy tickets. I like 3D films," said Nguyen Thi My Huyen, a 7th grader of Nguyen Binh Khiem Junior High School in Cu Chi District.

The city's authorities decided to finance the building of 3D cinemas in five suburban districts Nha Be, Can Gio, Cu Chi, Hoc Mon and Binh Chanh in 2012, with each costing more than VND1.5 billion (US$71,420).

They finished construction on 3D cinemas, which cost between VND2.5 billion and VND7 billion, in other districts last year. The projects were financed from the districts' budgets.

3D cinemas are built in Children's Culture Houses. The decision to build 3D cinemas in the districts was made after "Listening to Children's Voices", a meeting between District 2 officials and children, which was held in June 2011. At the meeting, children said that they'd like more 3D cinemas in rural areas, as for many familes, travelling into District 1 is too costly and time consuming.

Film shortages

The city's People's Committee entrusted the Tre (Youth) Film Company of the city's Communist's Youth Union to supply 3D films for the cinemas.

"The films sent from Tre, arrive in cinemas in the districts, often many months after they have been shown in cinemas in the city's downtown," said Nguyen Thanh Xuan, deputy secretary of the city's Youth Union.

According to Xuan, 3D cinemas in suburban districts like Hoc Mon, Can Gio and Cu Chi still attract a large number of children. However, children living in districts like Binh Thanh and Phu Nhuan, which are very near the city centre will go to cinemas in District 1 and District 10 to see new films rather than waiting to see free of charge but out-of-date films at Children's Culture Houses near their homes.

According to Sai Gon Giai Phong ( Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper, many of 3D cinemas for children in inner districts are only open on weekends.

The 3D cinema in Go Vap District now screens HD films. All the HD films screened at the cinema are latest releases and as a result, the cinema is always busy. It opens on Saturday and Sunday and weekday evenings.

"We also sell tickets to adults, but children are able to see HD or 3D films free of charge," said Nguyen Thanh Vinh, deputy director of Go Vap's Children's Culture House.