HOLLYWOOD Theaters, the CNMI’s only movie house, ended its operations on Wednesday, April 30, following its owner Regal Cinemas’ filing for bankruptcy.
An online news source reported that the movie theater industry has yet to recover its box office numbers post-pandemic and is now “less relevant and more imperiled,” facing stiff competition from streaming services. On Saipan, the declining population has not helped either.
On the last business day of the movie house, Variety witnessed dozens of residents purchasing tickets and concessions. Some residents spoke to Variety about how the theater and its closure affected them.
Brent Villanueva, a 7th grader, was with his family to see “The Accountant 2.” He said he’s going to miss watching movies on the big screen.
“I’ve got a lot of good experiences here, hanging out with my friends every once in a while [and] being able to eat the food here,” he said.
Villanueva watches movies on streaming services like Hulu and Netflix, but he doesn’t have his friends over for movie nights. There’s a different atmosphere in the cinema and in the home, he said.
“It doesn’t really provide the experience of surround sound and high-quality graphics that a movie theater offers,” he said, referring to watching at home.
Aiden Camacho, 16, said he would make his last visit to the movie theater “worth it.”
He said teens now have one less gathering place with the closure of the cinema.
“I think I’m going to stay at home if I’m going to watch movies. Now it’s going to be different because there’s not really a spot [for us]. [Teens] used to come here a lot. Now that it’s closing down, I don’t think they have [many] options.”
An employee who declined to be identified said he was hired by Regal two years ago, and is now actively searching for a new job. He has applied at a local establishment and is waiting to hear back from them.
“I’m kind of sad but half excited [to end my employment with Regal] because I can search for a new job. Here, it’s interesting to say the least,” he said.
He said he has a “50-50” chance of staying on Saipan or leaving the island.
“For me to stay, I’d need a stable job; for me to go, it would take a better opportunity,” he said, adding that he may apply for a visa to work in Japan. “I recently visited there and it’s amazing. Applying for a visa might not be so bad at all.”
Moviegoers purchase popcorn and drinks at the concession stand on the final day of Hollywood Theaters, Wednesday.
Brent Villanueva
Aiden Camacho
