21 Aug – With this Friday, 22 August 2014 declared the national day of mourning for the victims of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MH17, local cinemas are planning to observe the day in their own ways.
Local cinema chains like Golden Screen Cinemas and TGV Cinemas have also shared their additional efforts with Cinema Online to stand in solidarity with all Malaysians to observe the day of mourning. For GSC Cinemas, a dress code change has been issued to all their cinema locations for this Friday, 22 August 2014. All cinema staff will not include their signature yellow vest as part of their uniform and will be wearing black shirts and long black pants instead. The Plasma TV displays GSC Cinemas will be toned down from colour to black and white. You can see the usual trailers and videos on the screens, but just for the one day, they will reflect a more monochromatic feel.
Likewise, TGV Cinemas has also confirmed that their staff at all their cinema locations will be wearing black uniforms for the day. Their personnel at their headquarters are also encouraged to wear black and will observe a minute of silence at 11am. No movies will be screened at TGV Cinemas in the morning and their cinemas will only commence to screen movies after 12 in the afternoon. Additionally, before each movie, a short clip will be played to invite the patrons of TGV to observe a minute of silence. The clip will also be displayed at all TV screens outside the cinema hall. Said the Chief Executive Officer of TGV Cinemas Mr. Gerald V. Dibbayawan, "This is our way of doing our part together with our customers and all those in our organisation to join in remembering all those perished in MH17. It is a sad day for us as a nation. We continue to pray for those who are still not accounted for and for the families as they cope with their loss at this time." Other cinema chains, Mega Cineplex, Star Cineplex, MBO Cinemas and LFS Cinemas have confirmed to be running their business as usual.