The Neelsie Cinema’s doors recently reopened to the public after a four-month closure but moviegoers are warned that it “isn’t the Pulp that people know, love and remember”.
This is according to Kaiser Aryee, chairperson of Pulp Film Society, a student society of Stellenbosch University (SU), via written correspondence with MatieMedia. This society used to screen movies at what was formerly known as Pulp Cinema.
The Neelsie Cinema reopened and held its first screening on 5 May after being closed for renovations, said Ayree. Pulp Cinema previously operated from this space.
The Neelsie Cinema recently reopened and held the first screening for the year on 5 May after being closed for renovations, according to Kaiser Aryee, chairperson of Pulp Film Society. PHOTO: Dominique Fuchs
While the cinema was closed for renovations, Pulp Film Society screened movies in the Conserve, according to Aryee. “It’s been so difficult trying to screen movies in the Conserve and trying to uphold the standard that our members expect, so I am excited to give our members a closer offering to what they actually pay for and deserve,” she said.
Out with the old, in with the new
“I’m so excited to watch a movie in this facility that has played such a huge role in my student experience and so many other students’ experiences, but it isn’t the Pulp that people know, love, and remember,” Aryee told MatieMedia.
The Neelsie Cinema will not be selling alcohol, coffee, or popcorn anymore, according to Catherine Channing, manager of Stellenbosch University’s central events and conferencing office (CECO). “The Neelsie Cinema does not have a liquor licence, therefore, the sale of alcohol on the premises is illegal. Coffee and popcorn will be sold by vendors in the Neelsie [student] centre.” PHOTO: Dominique Fuchs
According to Aryee, the foyer has been changed to a corporate black, white and grey design. The floors are grey and the catering counter, which will be used by external clients to hold events and conferences, has been fitted with white tiles and black granite countertops.
“The cinema has had a full upgrade on the [audio-visual] system (sound and visuals), which we are very grateful for. Cinema-goers will enjoy full and immersive surround sound,” Aryee said. The seats have been upgraded in a multi-colour design and there are small tables attached to the seats that fold away for conferences where guests will require a surface to write on, according to Aryee.
The foyer of the Neelsie Cinema has been changed to a corporate black, white and grey design. This is according to Kaiser Aryee, chairperson of Pulp Film Society. The cinema has also had a full upgrade on the audio-visual system and cinema-goers will now “enjoy full and immersive surround sound”, stated Aryee. PHOTO: Dominique Fuchs
“We look forward to a close working relationship with Pulp Film Society for the future,” Catherine Channing, the manager of SU’s central events and conferencing office (CECO), stated in written correspondence with MatieMedia. CECO manages the Neelsie Cinema.
“The space is specifically designed to be used as a multipurpose facility. Apart from screenings, the venue will also host conferences, intimate live bands, poetry readings, book launches, talks and everything in between,” she said.
Members of Pulp Film Society were excited about the reopening of the Neelsie Cinema and the first movie screening of 2022. Pictured above, from left to right from the top, are some members of the society: Jamie Johnson, Liam Erasmus, Salmay Hindle, Julia Hayward and Kaiser Aryee. PHOTO: Dominique Fuchs
“There is no denying that the character of the cinema has changed. It is difficult to determine currently whether it is a good or a bad change but I personally think that the movie magic character might have gone lost,” Annika Hohbach, former chairperson of Pulp Film Society, told MatieMedia via written correspondence.
Pulp popcorn no more
The cinema will not be selling alcohol, coffee or popcorn anymore, according to Channing. “The Neelsie Cinema does not have a liquor licence, therefore, the sale of alcohol on the premises is illegal. Coffee and popcorn will be sold by vendors in the Neelsie [Student] Centre.”
“The ideal is that [Pulp Film Society] screenings will continue as per usual [like before the renovations], but CECO has not confirmed this,” Aryee said.
Channing told MatieMedia that CECO will try to follow a similar screening schedule as in the past, “although [CECO] will make some changes to the overall schedule”.
“There is no denying that the character of the cinema has changed. I personally think that the movie magic character might have gone lost,” Annika Hohbach, former chairperson of Pulp Film Society, told MatieMedia via written correspondence. PHOTO: Dominique Fuchs