The Pulp Film Society recently announced that they will be postponing film screenings in the Neelsie Cinema to April, rather than March. The announcement made on 23 February stated that renovations at the cinema are still ongoing and that the society will host online events until the renovations are complete.
On 23 February, the Pulp Film Society announced that they will be postponing film screenings in the Neelsie Cinema to April, rather than March. GRAPHIC: Instagram/Pulp Film Society)
When the Pulp Film Society announced the cinema’s closing in December, they initially predicted that the reopening date would be in March, based on their previous communication with Stellenbosch University’s central events and conferencing office (CECO), who manages the Neelsie Cinema. This is according to the chairperson of the Pulp Film Society, Kaiser Aryee, who explained that this has since changed, as the renovations are still taking place.
Catherine Channing, the manager of CECO, stated in written correspondence with MatieMedia that the renovations include “refurbishing the Neelsie Cinema and installing new equipment and seating”. The cinema’s foyer and bathrooms are also being upgraded. According to Channing, the renovations are progressing as scheduled.
Prior to the renovations, the Pulp Film Society hosted regular screenings at the Neelsie Cinema and served snacks and beverages. Channing told MatieMedia that they are working with Pulp Film Society to ensure that the screenings will again take place this year.
Kaiser Aryee is the current chairperson of the Pulp Film Society. PHOTO: Tamia Retief
Aryee said that the society will continue to have online events, as well as hosting film screenings in other venues, until the cinema reopens.
“While those running the society are doing their best to try and keep the community together it is hard to manage,” Praise Chasela, a member of the Pulp Film Society, told MatieMedia. The Pulp Film Society’s student members attempted to stay in contact with society members by giving them lists of movies to stream online, said Chasela. This, however, brought up issues of accessibility for students who do not have internet access, she said.
The Neelsie Cinema is located in the Neelsie Student Centre and will remain closed until April. PHOTO: Tamia Retief
“While it is not an ideal situation, we are hoping to find an alternative venue to host some in-person screenings before Pulp [the Neelsie Cinema] reopens just in the meantime a couple of days a week just so that our members have something,” said Aryee. She also stated that she is excited for 2022 and hopes “that our members stick with us because we really need them”.