Tuesday Tea: Cinema Is Not Dead

https://youtu.be/x793NsOPjOs

Cinema Isn't Dead. Bad Movies Are.

Every now and then, someone will say, "Cinema is dead." That streaming has taken over and people no longer see the point of paying for movie tickets.

Well, if the past week has taught us anything, it's that cinema is very much alive.

Just look at what happened with The Odyssey. People across Malaysia have been flocking to cinemas, especially IMAX halls, to experience the film on the biggest screen possible. I don't think I've ever seen almost every IMAX screening in Malaysia fully booked like this. It has been incredible to witness.

And to me, this proves one thing.

People will always go to the cinema if the movie is worth leaving the house for.

Cinema has never been the problem. The experience has never been the problem. The problem is that not every movie feels like it deserves that premium ticket price.

Think about it. Going to the movies today isn't exactly cheap. Between the tickets, snacks, parking, and everything else, you're paying for an experience. And if you're asking people to spend their hard-earned money, you need to give them something they can't get by waiting a few months for a streaming release.

People are willing to pay a premium for a premium experience.

That's exactly what The Odyssey is doing.

I think this is something our local film industry can learn from as well.

Now, before anyone comes for me, I'm not saying Malaysian filmmakers should compete with Hollywood budgets. That would be an unfair comparison. Hollywood productions have resources that most local studios can only dream of.

But you don't always need the biggest budget to tell a compelling story.

Great storytelling has always been the heart of great cinema.

Malaysia is filled with incredible legends, folklore, and historical figures that deserve to be reimagined for modern audiences. Imagine a cinematic retelling of Puteri Gunung Ledang with breathtaking visuals. Imagine Mahsuri brought to life with emotional depth and epic production values. Or Hang Tuah, presented as the grand historical adventure he deserves.

And then there's our mythology.

Can you imagine a modern adaptation of Legenda Naga Tasik Chini?

Tell me that wouldn't make for an incredible Malaysian monster movie.

We already have the stories. We already have the culture. We already have the myths that make our country unique. What we need is the confidence—and the execution—to tell them in a way that excites audiences.

At the end of the day, I don't believe cinema is dying.

I think audiences have simply become more selective.

When a movie feels like an event, people will show up. They'll queue for tickets, book IMAX seats weeks in advance, and happily spend an entire evening at the cinema.

Because that's what movies are supposed to do.

They're supposed to transport us somewhere we can't go from our living room.

So no, I don't think cinema is dead.

What's dying is mediocre storytelling and forgettable movies.

Give people something unforgettable, and they'll always buy a ticket.