Malay Mail , 2 Aug 2010
Over 126 members from the Damansara Jaya Senior Citizens Association (DJSCA) were invited to a special screening of The Karate Kid at GSC Tropicana City Mall recently.
To their surprise, the guests were amazed by the vast difference between the cinemas now and then - be it the design or the atmosphere.
For some of them, this is their first time stepping into a cinema after more than 40 years, before they got married and were too busy starting a family.
It was the brightly-lit cinema foyer that caught 70-year-old Low Siew Foong's attention while she was enjoying a cup of tea during breakfast.
"Back in the old days, cinemas are not like this, with many coloured lights. It's so different and grand now," said Low as she pointed at the pillars emitting blue lights.
She hasn't been to a cinema for a very long time, as being a housewife keeps her busy.
"I'm a housewife, I don't even have time to watch television, let alone go to the cinema for movies but I will, now, seeing that this is a great place to relax.
"The elderly needs love, attention and care in order to grow old gracefully or else they would give up on life easily".
When asked how she felt about coming to the cinema, she laughed and said, "It's like a child coming to watch a movie".
As the senior citizens lined up to get their complimentary popcorn and mineral water for the movie screening, it reminded Wee Beng Khim, president of DJSCA about the snacks cinemas used to have.
He said they used to have kacang putih packed in a long paper cone, while taking a piece of paper and rolling it up, demonstrating how it looked like.
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A LUXURY: The senior citizens watching 'Karate Kid' at GSC Tropicana City Mall |
"But now we have popcorn! Being in a modern cinema just brings back old memories," he said. After receiving their snacks, the guests hurried to the hall to grab good seats. One of the senior citizens queried if they could sit anywhere in the hall as it was free seating.
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A CLEARER VISION: A senior citizen getting his eyes checked by a Focus Point staff |
Yip Sau Lai, 64, said some of the senior citizens were overly excited by the whole experience. "It's different now. Last time, tickets were sold according to different classes - first, second and third class. First class tickets will get the best seats while third class tickets are for the front seats".
Prior to the movie, eye checks were also provided by Focus Point Tropicana City Mall as well as a health talk on constipation and immune system by Farah Zuhairah Azmi from Yakult (M) Sdn Bhd.
To top off their fun and exciting day at the cinema, there was a lucky draw with prizes organised by Yakult and GSC.
Here's something that senior citizens can look forward to. Golden Screen Cinemas nationwide offers senior citizens a special discounted rate for movies before 6pm during weekdays, excluding public holidays.
Visit www.gsc.com.my or check out the GSC movie listing in the newspaper for more details.
