Lights out at CNMI's only theatre amid economic struggles
Photo:
Mark Rabago
Movie goers in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands are lamenting the closure of the territoy's only cinema.
Regal Cinemas in Saipan is set to roll its final credits at the end of this month.
Local residents, who spoke to RNZ Pacific, expressed their disappointment at the prospect of no longer being able to watch movies on the big screen at the at Hollywood Theaters, the official of the multi-screen cinema complex.
"As a filmmaker and a cinephile, this is a sad day," Galvin Deleon Guerrero, who himself is guilty of not frequenting the cinemas, said.
"There is something truly unifying about the collective experience of enjoying a good story on the big screen with an audience.
"I fear we lose that, and a bit of our humanity and empathy, when we resort to the isolated and atomised entertainment on our digital devices."
Deleon Guerrero said his most memorable time at the movies would be about his favorite franchise:
Star Wars
.
"I have watched every
Star Wars
film since
Episode II: Attack of the Clones
first screened at Hollywood Theaters and have screened many films of my own there.
"It will be missed dearly and I hope that all is not lost and that perhaps a new owner will emerge, a 'New Hope', if you will."
Another
Star Wars
fan, Edward Dela Cruz Jr, said, "My fondest memory was the duel between myself and grand master, Dr Deleon Guerrero who will be the first in line prime time for
Star Wars
movies starting with
Force Awakens
in 2015.
"I defeated him the first year. After that never again. He proved he was the undisputed
Star Wars
faithful in the CNMI.
"If we resume this duel looks like we must take it to Guam. It will be sad because movie theaters are one of the fondest memories when people grow up," he said.
Meanwhile, another local resident Kerri Bauer said she and her family have seen lots of movies at the Regal Cinemas.
"Two of our kids had their 'first ever' movie experience at that theatre," she said.
"Our favorite memories were in the summer when it is too hot to do anything else and the theater had summer $1 kids' movies.
"We got to wear sweatshirts, buy a big tub of buttery popcorn, and escape the heat for a few hours. We will definitely miss it."
Simon Necesito said the closing of Regal Cinemas means less entertainment options for local residents.
"I think it's a shame that the theatre is closing down. It really provided people here an alternative for recreation. And it is bad enough as it is because we lack options for that here on Saipan."
Adam Walsh said Regal Cinemas is closing now after surviving all the calamities the CNMI went through.
"It is terrible to see such a great business that has weathered super typhoons, a pandemic to then close its doors due to an economic downturn is so unfortunate.
"My fondest memories are taking my kids and their friends to see new Disney or Pixar flicks, like
Moana
and
Inside Out
. I also enjoyed have a night out to see the
John Wick
series with my brother-in-lawand friend."
Another local Tish Ferrer said it the closure was a big loss to her moviegoing family.
"I feel so sad because me and my family have a lot of fun memories especially when my kids were growing up.
"That is one of the places we go bonding as a family and enjoy popcorn and slushies.
"My kids are sad because every time their friends have birthdays, they usually celebrate it at the movies. It will never be the same without Regal theaters."
Regal Cinemas general manager Maybeline Cabrera confirmed on 21 April that Regal Cinemas Saipan will shuttering its doors.
"We can only confirm that the last day of operations is Wednesday, 30 April," she via a social media message to RNZ Pacific.
The CNMI economy has also suffered since the pandemic.
According to the islands' Department of Labour, the Commonwealth lost 71 businesses between 2020 and 2024 - seven closures in 2020, five closures in 2021, 11 closures in 2022, 24 closures in 2023, and 24 closures so far in 2024, including legacy companies like
Saipan Tribune
and Hyatt Regency Saipan (eventually bought by MB Corp. and soon to become a Sheraton).
Asiana Airlines also flew the coop last year.
Labour secretary Leila Fleming said in a recent CNMI Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management general membership meeting that not all businesses wrapping up report their demise to the agency.
Joining Regal Cinemas Saipan on the sidelines at month's end is DFS Saipan after almost 50 years doing business in the territory.
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