Bioskop Grand Senen Theater was built in the 1920s and reached its peak in 1970 before declining and becoming notorious as a sex and prostitution site before its last days in 2016.
oko Anwar’s latest horror feature, Perempuan Tanah Jahanam (Woman of the Cursed Land), will be screened at a legendary but abandoned cinema, Bioskop Grand Senen in Central Jakarta on Friday, Nov. 8 for free.
There will be three screenings at the venue on Friday. The 4 pm and 7 pm screenings have sold out online, but enthusiasts can attend the 9 pm screening by buying tickets on the door.
Bioskop Grand Senen Theater, which was located in front of Senen Market, stopped operating in 2016. It was built in the 1920s and reached its peak as one of the most iconic film venues in Jakarta in the 1970s. However, in its final years, the theater became notorious as a prostitution and sex site. According to many testimonies, people went to the theater to have sex with their partners and with prostitutes while the movies were screened.
“In its last days, Bioskop Grand Theater Senen was in a sorry state. It was not maintained, so people went there not to watch [movies] but to get other entertainment,” Joko said via his Twitter account.
“I want to voice many people’s wish to revitalize and renovate Indonesia's old theaters and reinstate their function, so that many theaters are easily accessed by people.”
Di akhir hidupnya, kondisi Bioskop Grand Theater Senen sangat bikin sedih. Nggak terawat sehingga yang datang ke sana bukan buat nonton. Tapi mencari hiburan lain. Begini kondisinya saat saya foto tahun 2016. pic.twitter.com/cvn1Z2yPwy
— Joko Anwar (@jokoanwar) November 5, 2019
Read also: 'Perempuan Tanah Jahanam': A terrifying and cerebral blood-spattered horror tale
Perempuan Tanah Jahanam has been showing in cinemas since Oct. 17 and has become one of the most successful horror films in Indonesia.
The movie was produced by Indonesian production houses Rapi Films and Logika Fantasi in collaboration with South Korean production house CJ Entertainment and Hollywood production house Ivanhoe Pictures. (gis/mut)
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.