On April 14, Century Cinema management made an impromptu announcement that the cinema was closing temporarily to undertake some routine maintenance works.

"Dear esteemed clients, in order to serve you better, Century Cinema will be undergoing maintenance and will be closed until further notice. We will resume services as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued support,” read the notice. For the cinema goers in Kigali, this was not good news but their hope hinged on the fact that the Cinema would offer a better ambience and service after the renovations.

However, for many movie goers, the wait is taking longer than they anticipated. 

Many have started speculating that the country’s only ultra-modern cinema may never open again. Some cinema fans took to the social media page of the cinema to seek for answers over what they call a long wait in the dark.

But their questions were never answered. 

"An update would be nice. Seems doubtful that ‘maintenance’ would require 6 weeks with no update,” a one Ryan Yewell wrote on the Century Cinema Facebook page last month.

"I visited the place a couple of days back. Honestly, what I saw, no offense but I don’t think this theatre will open sooner,” another social media user named Mapy Ismi wrote.

Surprisingly, the cinema hall has hosted some events including the week-long Korean Film Festival and the engagement of singer Knowless Butera.

This has left many wondering what exactly is happening since there are no visible maintaince works going on. 

Unconfirmed reports say the Cinema may have suspended operations for failure to pay for the movies it screened.

Efforts to reach Century Cinema management were futile. However, one thing for certain is the closure has left a gap in the Kigali’s entertainment industry. A sector yearning for variety of activities.

The cinema opened in 2013 and has been premiering the latest blockbuster movies.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw