Road House cinema is bringing movie nights back to the Neelsie. The cinema, which was officially opened on 6 March, replaces the Neelsie Cinema which closed last year.
Renovations began in February on the cinema which belongs to the Gravel Road Distribution Group, an independent entertainment company specialising in film distribution.
The group also has a cinema in Whale Coast Mall, Hermanus and operates independently from SU.
Benjamin Cowley, the owner of Gravel Road, said that Road House aimed to provide a new form of entertainment to the Stellenbosch community.
“We are licensed to show brand new releases and alternative content, such as a live opera from the Met Gala in New York and recorded opera and theatrical performances from the National Theatre,” said Cowley.
Currently, Road House is the only cinema in Stellenbosch.
Ella Lolwana, a second-year BEd (Intermediate Phase) student at SU, said she was thrilled about the opening of the cinema as she previously had to travel outside Stellenbosch to watch films on the big screen.
Zandri van Greunen, a BAHons student in Dutch and Afrikaans at SU, said that while Road House has introduced new releases, she hoped older films would also be included.
“What I saw at this cinema is the latest films. It is a good thing that they are showing newer movies and attracting a different type of audience,” said Van Greunen.
Ticket prices at the cinema cost R99 for adults and R89 for children under 10 and seniors aged 65 and older.
From 24 March, the cinema will introduce discounted days on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with tickets priced at R65 and selected combos available at 15% off.
The rise of online streaming services has led to a number of cinemas closing down across South Africa.
Yet, Cowley said that despite these digital obstacles, cinemas have brought communities together.
“We can be complete strangers, but we go into the same room and watch something on a massive screen. Technology, social media and streaming can’t replace the technological advancement that you get in cinemas. The size of the screen and the sound play a massive role in what a cinematic experience is all about. The two co-exist and don’t make the other one irrelevant,” said Cowley.
He added that they are planning to incorporate local films.
“We currently have a local film in release called The Heart Is a Muscle. When we come across suitable titles that we think have an audience for them, we will certainly release them,” Cowley said.