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Cinema Paradiso, a DVD rental library with over 4,000 titles in 20 different sections, opens an outlet in the city, with a dress circle in tow!
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PHOTO: H. VIBHU
New experience Good sound and projection quality in film viewing
Watching films is based on choice. It is also, to a great extent, depends on the kind of company one has. Whatever be the ambience of a theatre there is something about watching a film at home, with the people you know around you. Chatting, discussin
g, arguing, even while the film is on, is an exclusive experience of ‘home theatre.’
Cinema Paradiso, the popular DVD rental library that has opened its eighth outlet in the country and first in the city is a successful attempt to provide cinema buffs with this experience.
Apart from providing members access to more than 4,000 titles in 20 different sections of cinema, Cinema Paradiso also provides a film circle that can seat eleven people with unmatched digital projection where they can watch the movie of their choice. “In Kochi we are trying out digital projection for the first time. With excellent sound and projection quality film viewing will be wonderful. And to complete the movie experience we offer free supply of popcorn,” informs Santhosh, joint owner of Cinema Paradiso.
Pioneered by a group of youngsters, passionate about cinema, Cinema Paradiso was first launched in Chennai in 2003. Santhosh, who earlier worked as operative cameraman in Hollywood with Oscar-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zigmond, was joined by Richard, who began as a child actor starring in numerous Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films, to set up this outlet.
No Malayalam
“Here in Kochi we have decided not to have a section for Malayalam films. That is because we always stand for promotion of films and we want more and more people to reach the theatres for Malayalam films. We have a handpicked collection spread over every major film genre. Also we have a separate section for children. In our section of latest films we will have the new releases. This section will be refreshed as and when new films are released.”
Piracy is rampant and DVDs of classics, world cinema are easily available. This, despite the law coming down heavily on piracy. A fall out of this was the closure of many libraries and rental outlets in the State. It is here the Cinema Paradiso has an edge. “We have ensured that only original DVDs are stocked. Cinema Paradiso is the first store in the country to obtain complete licence for its functioning. Each DVD is copyrighted to avoid any issue pertaining to piracy.”
Cinema Paradiso has also conceptualised a couple of unique events. One of them is honouring legends that have made significant contribution to the film industry. “We have something on the lines of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Here, the legend who visits the store leaves behind their hand and footprints along with their autograph. This then will be placed prominently in Cinema Paradiso. We have had some greats like Mani Ratnam, A. R. Rahman, Kamalhasan, K. Balachander, S. P. Balasubramaniam, Girish Kasarvalli and others who have left behind their imprints. We have plans to honour legends of Malayalam cinema as well.”
The other concept is screening children’s films at schools. “For this we have chosen less privileged schools. The idea is to show films to a segment that have not really been exposed to this wonderful world.”
The membership rates are standard at all the Cinema Paradiso outlets. “We charge a security deposit of Rs. 2,000, which is refundable and a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 1,000. The rental fee is Rs. 75 for three nights and for world cinema it will be Rs. 100.”
K. PRADEEP
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