No end in sight to Gulf Cinema complex closure

By Ramesh Mathew/Staff ReporterEven as the halls at the country’s five multiplexes are showing remarkable improvement in their attendance, uncertainty still prevails in the reopening of the Gulf Cinema complex, which was closed down earlier this year for its reported failure to adhere to strict safety and security guidelines of the local authorities, especially the Directorate of Civil Defence.Though film viewers were hoping against hope all along the last eight months that the complex would resume functioning, absolutely nothing is in sight for its immediate reopening. When contacted yesterday, a senior official of the Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution Company (QCFDC), which runs Gulf Cinema complex, featuring two halls, Doha Cinema and Gulf Cinema, and also operates cinema halls at The Landmark, The Mall and the Royal Plaza, said no decision has been taken so far on the issue of the reopening of the cinema complex in Najma. The official said nothing could be told at this juncture on the issue of its reopening with conformity.  The company is working out plans to set things in order to ensure that the screening at the complex is resumed after some time, may be early next year.Needless be said the delay in the cinema reopening has let down a considerably large number of middle income and low income expatriates who patronised the two ‘affordable’ cinema halls, notwithstanding its numerous shortcomings.Even though some film goers have already switched to multiplexes, the reduced seating there has always hit their plans.   There are many film-loving expatriates who have not been able to watch a single movie at a cinema hall following the closure of the Gulf Cinema complex at the beginning of this year. “Even though I used to watch at least two movies a month earlier with my family members when Gulf Cinema complex was functioning, I have been able to watch only one movie from a multiplex in the last seven months since the closure of the Gulf Complex,” said an Indian film fan, adding that ticket rates at the country’s multiplexes are not affordable for regular film audiences. “May be once in a while one could watch a movie there.”Less said the better about low-income bachelors, who are without a place for watching movies on weekends. Some of them said even though Gulf Cinema complex was in a very bad shape when it was closed, less fortunate people had no option for watching movies. “When it was closed we thought the theatre would be opened soon after carrying out adequate maintenance. However nothing seems to have changed since then,” he said.One section of society has benefited from the closure — those looking for parking in the locality. The vast ground behind the complex is now utilised by many people in the area for parking their vehicles.    Though there has been a remarkable rise in the country’s population in the last 5-6 years, thanks to the arrival of considerably large numbers of expatriate bachelors for the ongoing infrastructure works, the entertainment facilities in the country has remained virtually the same over the years.A new complex at West End Park on the outskirts of the Industrial Area, with four screens, has been ready for about a year now. However, it has not opened so far.