Clover Solutions, partner of digital cinema leader Barco, has signed a multi-million
USD deal with local company Maze for the installation of up to 100 Barco digital
cinema projectors across Myanmar. The agreement is part of an ambitious project
to revitalize Myanmar’s film industry. In the course of two years, 100 new cinemas
will be built across the country.

In the early 1980s, Myanmar counted more than 400 cinemas. By 2010, their
number had dropped to around 40. The consequences for the country’s film industry
are devastating. Producers often have to wait years before their movies are
released on the big screen. After interviewing people across the country, U Lwin
Moe, Managing Director of Maze, discovered that many people were unable to watch
films because their area lacked a cinema. “For example, there wasn’t a single
cinema in Mawlamyin, despite a population of some 300,000,’ he said.

For this project, Maze and Clover Solutions will prioritize towns without a movie
theatre. So far, two cinemas are already being built: one in Aungban, Kalaw
township in Rangoon’s Taik Kyi and in Shan State’s Aungban townships. If these are
successful, the construction of another 98 cinemas will start in November, each
counting 316 seats.

“Only by building more cinemas can we save the Burmese film industry,’ he added
during his speech at the signing ceremony, which took place on 1 July. “But we
need to attract audiences with good-quality theatres.’

In this context, Clover Solutions and Maze have opted for Barco technology, i.e. its
digital cinema projector with Alchemy server – a powerful yet compact digital
cinema projector for every screen size – will adorn most of the newly-build
theatres. Merging the projector and media service functionalities into one single
module, the Barco projector offers increased simplicity and reliability in the
projection booth, along with Barco’s trademark image quality and low cost of
ownership.

“Our digital cinema projector with Alchemy server was designed to enable
exhibitors to go digital with minimum hassle and risk,’ says Eddie Tan, General
Manager, Barco Southeast Asia, Entertainment & Corporate. “Needless to say, we
are extremely honoured to see our solution play a vital role in such a fantastic
project.’