My friend and I decided to spend Friday evening checking out the new place in town – Cine Star Cinema. I had heard about it, and even written an article for The New Times. But that was before they had started screening movies. It was time I also got first hand experience of watching a movie from  the first modern theatre in Rwanda.

I got there the just after 8p.m. to catch the last movie for the day.  I was running late and I did not want to miss any single minute of my movie experience.

Cine Star is located in Nyamirambo, a couple of meters from Mosque. Its stands on a two-story building, with the cinema section taking up the two top floors.

On the first floor is the ordinary section which seats up to 200 people. The movies go for Rwf 1,000. The floor also has the refreshments section and the ticket counter.

Like with any modern cinema, the Cine Star stuff were busy serving clients popcorn and soft drinks. I was running late, so I just quickly paid for my ticket, and headed up a flight of stairs to the VIP section.

The VIP ticket cost me Rwf 2,000 and with excitement building, I could not wait to see what the atmosphere was like. I walked in,  and the cinema was half full.

The first thing that catches your eye once you step into the cinema is the giant screen at the front of the cinema. It is so big, that you feel part of the movie itself.

There were ushers who helped me get a seat. My friend and I walked the narrow aisle towards the front where we took our seats and leaned back to enjoy the movie.

The lighting deemed, enabling us glide into the movie mood.
By surprise, a loud bang filled the cinema. My heart skipped. The first thing that came to my mind was to head for the exit.

My friend turned towards me and calmed me down. It was the beginning of the day’s movie – Slumdog Millionaire. And, that is when the adrenalin started pumping.

The pictures was so clear, the sound was so definite. You do not miss a word and even when the actors took a breath, I could tell that they were taking a breath.

As the movie’s excitement was building up, I could not help but turn in my seat. One thing for sure is that the seats are well cushioned and comfortable.

I had enough leg room, and there are slots to place drinks. I could seat there for hours without getting uncomfortable. After two hours, the movie came to end.

I walked out very convinced that I had found a new and exciting way to spend my leisure time. It was money well spent.

The love for cinema among Rwandans is rising day by day. With Cine Star, the battle for remote controls in living rooms will soon come to end.

Even with the habit of downloading movies, and watching the on our laptops, the feeling of a big screen is simply unbeatable.

Ends