Digital cinema leader Barco and the Kinepolis group are proud to launch yet another European première together. From today onwards, Belgian moviegoers can immerse themselves fully into the world of Fox’s new release, ‘The Maze Runner’, thanks to the brand-new, panoramic Barco Escape theater configuration at Kinepolis Antwerp and Brussels.
The decision to introduce Barco Escape at the Kinepolis flagship cinema fits within the strategic partnership agreement that both cinema pioneers signed earlier this year, out of a joint commitment to take cinema to the next level. \
The concept behind Barco Escape technology sounds simple, yet is groundbreaking: by combining three digital cinema projectors with three screens – one at the front and two angled screens on either side of it –, Barco Escape creates an amazing panoramic presentation that immerses the audience into the movie. ‘The Maze Runner’ by 20th Century Fox is the very first film specially prepped for this theater configuration. The choice to provide Barco Escape footage for this movie is perfect: thanks to the new format, the audience feels pulled into the maze at key moments of the film, just like the boys in the story. ‘The Maze Runner’ debuted in September at five US Escape theaters. The Kinepolis flagship cinemas of Antwerp and Brussels will be the first in Europe to feature Barco Escape equipment.
Innovators and early adopters
The new, ultra-wide Barco Escape movie format is just one of Barco’s many recent innovations to help exhibitors advance cinema and, consequently, attract new audiences. In its constant search for ways to reinforce its frontrunner reputation in the cinema industry, the Kinepolis Group has always strongly supported Barco’s vision and been amongst the first to adopt new Barco technologies – from 3D digital cinema (2007) and 4K technology (2011) through to Barco’s 60,000 lumen, laser-illuminated projectors earlier this year. The decision to install the DP4K-60L laser projector at four Kinepolis cinemas was the first in a series of joint Barco-Kinepolis initiatives that were laid down in a partnership agreement between Barco and Kinepolis. The installation of Barco Escape marks a next step in the cooperation between the two cinema aficionados. In the future, Kinepolis theaters will also feature Barco’s interactive content leveraging technologies.
New experiences
“Barco and Kinepolis share a common drive to regularly offer new experiences that take cinema to new heights. We are glad to première Barco Escape here in Europe together with this long-term customer, or rather partner, that Kinepolis Group is,” says Wim Buyens, Senior VP Entertainment at Barco.
‘The Maze Runner’ will première in Barco Escape at Kinepolis Antwerp on Friday 10 October, during a dedicated press screening, and at Kinepolis Brussels on 15 October. In an earlier press release, Barco also announced its plans to bring the live performance of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga in Brussels, on 22 September last, to Barco Escape theaters in early 2015.
About Kinepolis
Kinepolis aims to offer movie and culture lovers 'the ultimate movie experience'. To this end, Kinepolis provides an innovative cinema concept that is considered to be the showcase within the sector. Its strategic model is based on three pillars: Best Marketer, Best Cinema Operator and Best Real Estate Manager. Since its inception in 1997 and the subsequent listing on the stock exchange in 1998, Kinepolis has developed into a leading player within Europe, and has 35 cinemas across Belgium, The Netherlands, France, Spain, Switzerland and Poland. Besides its movie theatre activities, Kinepolis is also active in film distribution, event organization, screen advertising and cinema real estate management. About 20 million moviegoers visit the Group every year, and Kinepolis employs 2,100 staff members.
About Barco
Barco, a global technology company, designs and develops visualization products for a variety of selected professional markets. Barco has its own facilities for Sales & Marketing, Customer Support, R&D and Manufacturing in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Barco (NYSE Euronext Brussels: BAR) is active in more than 90 countries with 4,000 employees worldwide. The company posted sales of 1.158 billion euros in 2013.