Lagos is the biggest city in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, but until recently it did not even have any cinemas.

Lagos now has its first multi-screen cinema complex - a rarity in Africa

That is all the more surprising given that Nigerians love watching films: the country is famous for its thriving and expanding home-video industry.

Now, however, that has all changed, thanks to the Silverbird Cinemas - an upmarket five-screen Cineplex in the heart of Victoria Island.

Lagosians enter a grand atrium under a high dome decorated with cartoon characters. Then they take the escalator to the first floor to watch the latest releases - currently including Troy, Harry Potter 3 and Spiderman 2.

Films are shown on big screens with plush seats, little red lights illuminating the floor - and popcorn available from the cinema shop.
...excerpt from the bbc

Do you people think this will last or are Nigerians just used to the plain old DVDs and video which we have depended on for the last 30 years. Are people really going to support these theaters? If you think it would last, give reasons why and if you think it won't, give an estimate time to which the theaters would be shut down.

i just discussed this issue with a friend some weeks ago and i was thinking about doing something related to it sometimes in the future when pepper has rested very well (as in ego is flowing bigtime) only to see it today on bbc. it's been long overdue, i was always amazed that there is nothing like that in lagos, although while growing up in kano we used to have lots of large screen movie theartres although nothing compared to the one in UK and US. however, whether it will last is another thing but putiing into the consideration the calibre of the person in charge (Ben Murray Bruce), i see it as a venture that will work for awhile before the nigerian factor sets in such as:

1. Insecurity, especially if the movies will be shown only at night, people will be wary of moving along lagos roads late at night.

2. competition, with so many pirated DVDs in town, why stress myself going to the movies when i can buy same film on CD for 150naira.

3. Area boys wahala, they will always hang around such joints to harrass people.

4. Maintenance, are the proprietors willing to properly maintain and keep this place functioning the right way, are we going to have central A/Cs etc.

5. I cannot add electricity cos i know the place will be powered by alternative power supply but for how long will it last?

6. Lastly and probably the most important, going to the movies here is for relaxation and dating, our people don't really have enough time to relax or just don't want to relax, and it will be difficult keeping people's enthusiam, it will start waning after sometime except if the proprietors will be very innovative.

i see it as a good venture and the location is also very good (V.I.), if it is well managed at the long-run it should survive cos i can assure Ben Bruce, whenever i go to nigeria i will always check it out cos i love movies.

In my view, i see it as a very good venture to go into but like i said we used to have such things in kano until other factors led to the abandonment of all the cinemas then.

Don't see why not. It is a beautiful edfice that is being well patronised.
And Ben Bruce has a good head on his shoulders.
Was there to check it out. Solid stuff.
There's nothing as good as seeing a blockbuster on the huge screen. TVs don't do them justice.
And the neighborhood is safe so people can hang outside late.
Area boys...what area boys? Pained commercial vehicles are not even allowed on any of the islands. E go hard o! And security good.
Only problem na parking. You have to use the road.

i just discussed this issue with a friend some weeks ago and i was thinking about doing something related to it sometimes in the future when pepper has rested very well (as in ego is flowing bigtime) only to see it today on bbc. it's been long overdue, i was always amazed that there is nothing like that in lagos, although while growing up in kano we used to have lots of large screen movie theartres although nothing compared to the one in UK and US. however, whether it will last is another thing but putiing into the consideration the calibre of the person in charge (Ben Murray Bruce), i see it as a venture that will work for awhile before the nigerian factor sets in such as:

1. Insecurity, especially if the movies will be shown only at night, people will be wary of moving along lagos roads late at night.

2. competition, with so many pirated DVDs in town, why stress myself going to the movies when i can buy same film on CD for 150naira ( that was how i used to buy it then when i was back home)

3. Area boys wahala, they will always hang around such joints to harrass people.

4. Maintenance, are the prorietors willing to properly maintain and keep this place functioning the right way, are we going to have central A/Cs etc.

5. I cannot add electricity cos i know the place will be powered by alternative power supply but for how long will it last?

6. Lastly and probably the most important, going to the movies here is for relaxation and dating, our people don't really have enough time to relax or just don't want to relax, and it will be difficult keeping people's enthusiam, it will start waning after sometime except if the proprietors will be very innovative.

i see it as a good venture and the location is also very good (V.I.), if it is well managed at the long-run it should survive cos i can assure Ben Bruce, whenever i go to nigeria i will always check it out cos i love movies.

In my view, i see it as a very good venture to go into but like i said we used to have such things in kano until other factors led to the abandonment of all the cinemas then.

But don't we have 5 star hotels in operation for the past 15 years with no problems. they are not run down yet. the movies will probably be shown all day but even if it is shown at Night, (at least in lagos) don't we have some respectible night clubs? The piracy thing also exists here but some movies are still better on the big screen (all those Matrix type movies) I think people, just like here will still go to the theaters to see it. Area boys will always be a problem sha. Hopefully they would have the money to actually run a respectible operation, Nigerians appreciate that, (hopefully)
Since our people too copy yankee people, wouldn't it be a big success since people over here go to the movies a lot? What else can explain the success of that damned Mr Biggs!!! Somebody should shut that crap down!

mobility, you cannot compare operating a 5star hotel to a cinema, 5star hotels are highly restricted in the sense that what are you doing there when you don't have the money. in the case of cinema, it is more a gbogbo ero thing (as in open to everybody), the area boys menace (just like you said) will be one of the big problems, and also car parks (infact this is probably where the stress will start), try passing through Opebi-Allen in ikeja during festive period, it is hell why? no parking space. but i still think it is a venture that will pay very well in the short-run, the long-run now depends on other factors.

When did Lagos overtake Ibadan as the "biggest city" (in terms of landmass)?

When did Lagos overtake Ibadan as the "biggest city" (in terms of landmass)?

I think they meant people not land mass

mobility, you cannot compare operating a 5star hotel to a cinema, 5star hotels are highly restricted in the sense that what are you doing there when you don't have the money. in the case of cinema, it is more a gbogbo ero thing (as in open to everybody), the area boys menace (just like you said) will be one of the big problems, and also car parks (infact this is probably where the stress will start), trying passing through Opebi-Allen in ikeja during festive period, it is hell why? no parking space. but i still think it is a venture that will pay very well in the short-run, the long-run now depends on other factors.This is not gbogbo ero actually. It is in an exclusive part of Lagos for one. Secondly, a film show costs 2500 Naira. That is not gbogbo ero rate. They know precisely what they are doing here...

Silverbird is able. If they can get NEW releases and classics, they are made. The people will definitely patronise like the said Mr Biggs. I bet this cinema will succeed, it may eventually go to the stock exchange (like Zenith)! Of course... some rich naija will copy BM Bruce thinking its like selling pure water!

This is not gbogbo ero actually. It is in an exclusive part of Lagos for one. Secondly, a film show costs 2500 Naira. That is not gbogbo ero rate. They know precisely what they are doing here...

Yeah I think it would work if it is exclusive enough, that you would need a ticket to even walk around in the place.

2500, well that will definately reduce the number of people going there. i see it as a good venture but for how long it will remain so?
i'm so happy that we are finally stepping up, can you imagine the fastest growing city in africa without a large screen cinema. more kudos to Ben o jare i still remember the effort of the guy in NTA. keep it up. 5 kiras to bruce lee (or sorry Muray)

I am actually making a point to visit the place when I visit again and take a few friends with me just to show my support. I read this on BBC and they had a list of the movies that will be showing there. Do they plan on showing Nigerian movies anytime soon and since I have an idea of how this Murray works, I know he will only want the best in there.

A revival of a part of the lost glory of Lagos. I remember when Lagos had many movie theaters. Its good to see that Ben Bruce is reviving the movie theater business there. Is Silverbird productions still handling the beauty pageants?

Don't see why not. It is a beautiful edfice that is being well patronised.
And Ben Bruce has a good head on his shoulders.
Was there to check it out. Solid stuff.
There's nothing as good as seeing a blockbuster on the huge screen. TVs don't do them justice.
And the neighborhood is safe so people can hang outside late.
Area boys...what area boys? Pained commercial vehicles are not even allowed on any of the islands. E go hard o! And security good.
Only problem na parking. You have to use the road.

But ofcourse Ben Bruce has a good head on his shoulder. All dees beauty pageants wey im dey kiss for dees past how many years, dem no reesh correct im head? Lol - More Seriously though I admire the guy I think he's very innovative and trys to keep Nigeria interesting. Unfortunately most people like him got fed up and ran to America.


"Harkins" in VI?-- na wa o!! I think it is very good thing. Now perhaps Nigerian movies will get more exposure. But I am not sure how long it will last given that we don't have freedom of speech in Nigeria. Before you know it now some illiterate government official will try to shut it down because dem dey show people kissing. No bi that kind wahala wey cause riot for Miss World when Nigeria was hosting. So as much as I welcome it i wont be surprised when some gin gin spiri spiri group will go down to VI to cast out the demon of movie going.

On a different angle, it makes dating and relationships much more interesting for Naija peeps. Now dey fit waka hand in hand or skip joyfully to the movie house.

ANother thing bi say Naija peeps get as dem bi. Thats how Sean Paul go Naija to perform concert and he dey complain say dem Naija ladies no wan dance like dem dey have good time. Instead na picture dem dey take. lol Typical Naija - dey wan show of dem digital camera - lol. Sean wasn't particularly impressed. For this movie house i know se dem go turn am into fashion show. Instead if just go see the movie with neat shat and shokoto you go see people with italian suit. lol

Anyway all in all I hope it last as long as the organizers can keep it organized and people interested. And hopefully more of it will emerge in other places too.

Cheers

A revival of a part of the lost glory of Lagos. I remember when Lagos had many movie theaters. Its good to see that Ben Bruce is reviving the movie theater business there. Is Silverbird productions still handling the beauty pageants?

It's good for someone to remember that we used to have working movie theatres. It just became more profitable to rent/sell these theatres to the churches. I am sure the ones in the North are still highly being patronized, atleast showing old movies.

Well, good news one place to take my AA date.

Did somebody say Victoria Island is exclusive? How about Ikoyi more specifically Parkview Estate. Oh! did I forget to mention, VGC and Lekki are exclusive as well. I guess one will buy that if you have not been to these places recently.

As for the cineplex theater, I think it is a great idea and Nigeria is about due for one. The question is can the owners keep the maintenance up? I don't know if anyone remember MUSON Center when it was completed; the center is a sharp contrast now to what it was like few years ago.

All you need to make it work is proper management. By the way, it does not have to be exclusive.

Incorrect!!! Lagos had it's share of Movie Theatres or Cinemas (including Roxy, Metro, Plaza, Glover, Casino, Super, Sheila, etc.) up until the 80s which is definitely less than 20 years ago.

Like someone stated most theatre owners ended up selling their premises to religious organizations which obviously was a more profitable option as Nigerians caught on to the Video culture.


Lagos is the biggest city in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, but until recently it did not even have any cinemas.


To answer your question, Nigerians have always and will always love movies, because they have a movie culture, as thus they will patronise not only this new theatre, but any others that crop up.

The fact that previously existing theatres were shut down did not affect their love of movies hence the ever increasing demand for movies of any type Nigerian or foreign.

Presently only foreign movies are being shown and current releases at that, but that's Ben's choice. Naija movies are not only presently abundant in forms of videos and DVDs but are available through video clubs, and that's a ripe market for anyone who chooses to present them in movie theatres, as are some shows at the National Theatre and few other places.

Those born after the original theatres may have never known what it was to watch movies in one, but for those who had the privilege it is a welcome resurgence of what they once appreciated.

People who have also had the opportunity to go to movie theatres in other States in Nigeria and abroad also appreciate the venture, and will indeed support it.

Safety and the area boy questions have already been answered by some fellow forummers, and I affirm that the present location and ticket fee are enough deterrents for area boys.

Lagos like any other metropolitan city has it's share of safety concerns, but it's nothing major for the movie theatre. Sheila, Super and some other older movie theatres were not necessarily in highbrow areas, but were a success despite their locations.


Do you people think this will last or are Nigerians just used to the plain old DVDs and video which we have depended on for the last 30 years. Are people really going to support these theaters? If you think it would last, give reasons why and if you think it won't, give an estimate time to which the theaters would be shut down.


For Feyinti who wondered about airconditioning, the coldness of the AC in some of the new Silverbird theatres as of today necessitates the use of a light sweater or jacket.
Also, for someone as enlightened as Ben, I'm sure he already factored this in before deciding to embark on the venture.

Finally, Nigerians do love to relax and they make the time to relax, hence the reason they cease the opportunity to go to as many social functions as they are opportuned to, are always at the beach and every other function or affair that gives them the opportunity to relax. That's a reason wine bars, beer parlors, clubs (private & public), dance clubs and restaurants, etc., are thriving businesses in Lagos and all over Nigeria.

6. Lastly and probably the most important, going to the movies here is for relaxation and dating, our people don't really have enough time to relax or just don't want to relax, and it will be difficult keeping people's enthusiam, it will start waning after sometime except if the proprietors will be very innovative.


The new cinema is a GREAT idea and a viable business both now and in the time to come. People have already addressed most of the issues Feyinti raised and CXSM has already touched on the point above, but this misconception should be stressed ... the problem has never been a DESIRE to relax merely AVENUES by which to do so.
With proper management I see a chain of cinemas being established ... as regards competition, a significant barrier to entry is the distribution rights for these films, my guess is that Silverbird probably has the most lucrative ones!

... about your signature [and because it is related to what I currently do]:

Would you use literacy as a proxy for "educated" and should we presume that literacy in English [or any other "major" language] is required to be educated? In other words, if my grandfather can read and write Yoruba is he literate/educated?

... it's just that I noticed your signature a while back and have been pondering about it!