I had just watched the much anticipated Tsui Hark's movie, Seven Swords in Sabah, Malaysia. It was a well-deserved break in the city area of Kota Kinabalu after the strenuous climb up Mount Kinabalu.
The sword-fighting show was filmed artistically and I enjoyed it for only Malaysian Ringgit RM6, which works out to be less than Singapore Dollars S$3. After the recent price hike again in July (before that a price hike in May), a trip to theatre may cost you almost S$10 per entry on a weekend. I remember that years ago, movie tickets cost less than S$5 but prices have been steadily increasing.
Apparently, the Cinematograph Film Exhibitors Association (CEFA) in Singapore that includes 3 cinema operators - Shaw Organisation, Eng Wah Organisation and Golden Village, somehow determined that an increase in costs warranted an increase in prices, and this inevitably resulted in a situation of passing the buck to the consumers.
With ticket prices increasing, it is no wonder why many are purchasing VCDs and DVDs of their favourite movies to enjoy in the comfort of their own home theatre systems. Actually, it does make good economic sense as an original VCD that costs S$20 bought for the family of four would then work out to be just about S$5 per head.
Some are even turning to pirated VCDs and DVDs to escape the escalating prices of movie tickets. That means it could affect ticket sales and who knows that may give rise to another price hike! It is a chicken and egg situation that would do no one any good.
Movie tickets should be priced affordable, to appeal to the masses. On one hand it will greatly curb piracy, because if prices of a pirated VCD or DVD is around the price of a ticket, I believe many would prefer watching in the theatres. Also when more people watch in the theatres, the sheer volume would boost profit and propel the movie industry as a whole, encouraging more movies to be made as well as bringing in more advertising dollars.
The Association shouldn't be short-sighted and should look at the long term consequences to avoid embarking on vicious cycle that may end up stifling the entire industry.
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