Reminiscent of how they watched films in the US in the 1950s, Filipino movie-goers will soon get to enjoy the drive-through movie experience.
As announced by SM Cinema this July, the country’s very first drive-in cinema, dubbed Movies at Sundown, is set to be put up at the SM City Pampanga Amphitheater and will start to welcome customers by the end of the month.
Visitors get to watch on a 20-meter by 8-meter screen that is elevated three feet from the ground, inside a venue that can house up to 90 visitors per screening. Consistent with its namesake, there are only two screenings a day, 5:30 PM and 8:20 PM, from Fridays to Sundays.
As avid patrons of indoor theaters and cinema houses, the Philippines never had the chance to roll into a drive-in cinema, even during the American occupation. Plus, there weren’t that many car owners back then to drive such demand.
However, now that cars have become a status symbol and people are striving to adjust to the new normal, drive-in theaters seem to be the perfect solution for cinephiles.
And the first film that this new cinema will feature? “Peninsula,” the sequel to the acclaimed Korean zombie apocalypse film of 2016, “Train to Busan.” Of course, because there’s no better way to enjoy a zombie outbreak movie than inside the comforts of your car, with the horrifying sounds directly played through your stereos.
For those interested, screenings are priced at PHP 400.00 per head, inclusive of food and drinks, and must be booked in advance through the SM Tickets website. Only enclosed vehicles occupied by a maximum of four people will be allowed into the amphitheater, and visitors are enjoined to come 30 minutes before their booked screening time.
You can check out SM Cinema’s Facebook page at facebook.com/SMCinema for more information and previews.
Which movies would you want to watch in a drive-in theater?
