Ready to relive the movie magic of Asian cinema? Asian Film Archive (AFA) is resuming its screenings of films from Singapore and around the region at the Oldham Theatre from July 31. While cinemas including Golden Village, Cathay Cineplexes, Shaw Theatres, Filmgarde, and The Projector are ready to receive film lovers with blockbuster re-releases, fresh titles, and exclusive showcases, none champions the best of Asian cinema quite like Oldham Theatre.
Housed in the restored National Archives of Singapore building, the wheelchair accessible, 134-seater theatre has 4K digital and 35-millimetre film format projections for all your viewing pleasure. With the resumption of AFA's programmes, long-time movie fans and a new generation of audiences are able to discover and appreciate a curated mix of acclaimed classic and contemporary Asian films in its true cinematic experience.
Besides hosting film festivals and exclusive screenings, AFA also works towards repairing old films that are in sole surviving film elements of 16-millimetre or 35-millimetre prints or negatives. Despite being tarnished by low resolution, they are still filled with the stories and dramatics we crave in films – from the horror of Sumpah Orang Minyak to the epic duel of Hang Jebat. By digitising and adding subtitles to them, these films can be enjoyed by a wider audience.
Similar to cinemas around the city, seating at the theatre is limited to 50 patrons. Safety measures including temperature taking, SafeEntry logging, wearing a mask at all times, and keeping the safety distance of at least one-metre are to be observed to safeguard the health of patrons and staff.
When it comes to copping your tickets, keep those notes and coins safe in your wallet as cashless payment is encouraged when purchasing tickets, as well as other items, from the box office. Alternatively, you can purchase them online via asianfilmarchive.org. Watch this space for updates on programmes, schedules, and ticketing.
In the meantime, sheltering-at-home movie lovers can enjoy the boldest of Central Asian cinema from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan with AFA's online programme Whose House is This?: New Cinema of Central Asia. Available on Vimeo On Demand until July 16, it showcases the region's awe-inspiring storytelling through nine films that explore the struggles of space and ownership in their respective societies, over issues of culture, gender, nationhood, and identity. The films are available to rent for 48 hours at US$3.50 each. For more information, visit asianfilmarchive.org.