A fifty Shades of Grey frenzy hit East London this weekend when the much-anticipated movie premiered at Hemingways Cinema.
According to forbes.com, Fifty Shades of Grey brought in $30-million (R354-million) in the US with its debut on Friday and almost $9-million (R106-million) with its Thursday previews.
In South Africa, reported the Sunday Times, more than 66000 tickets were sold before the film opened on Friday. The previous record was for Twilight: Breaking Dawn at 16000.
The film, which is based on the best-selling trilogy by EL James, tells a story of college student Anastasia Steele and her introduction to the world of BDSM by businessman Christian Grey.
BDSM (bondage, discipline and sado-masochism) is a form of erotic sexual play involving dominance and submission.
The movie made its official debut on February 13, and on Valentine’s Day more than 1300 people went to the movie. By 2pm yesterday, 935 people had bought tickets to watch Fifty Shades.
While most hailed the movie, a few people said they were disgusted and the movie was a waste of money and time. Zolani Ngeva described it as being derogatory towards women.
“I just wanted to see the fuss around this movie and I must say I am not impressed. How can one enjoy watching a woman being violated by a power-hungry man?”
Ngeva left the cinema shaking his head in dismay.
Lulama Teka, who was hoping to watch a romantic movie with her partner, said she was disappointed.
“There is no love in this movie. This is all about a woman who ends up being a sex slave,” said Teka.
But others were more than satisfied.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, friends Tamaryn Wilken, Chantel de Klerk and Tasmin Barrow said the movie was fantastic and told the tale better than the books.
“It was fantastic to see the characters of the book come to life. I definitely enjoyed it,” said Wilken.
The three friends said they even shed tears while watching the movie.
“There are some scenes where Anastasia made me cry. It was very sad and I felt sorry for her,” said De Klerk, who said she has read all three books many times.
Uyanda Mjayezi said she travelled all the way from Butterworth to East London to watch the movie on Saturday but was disappointed to hear it was sold out for the day.
Mjayezi was not deterred. She slept over at a friend’s house and bought a ticket for yesterday.
When the Dispatch visited the cinemas yesterday, scores of people were in line for tickets, waiting outside the auditorium for their dose of Fifty Shades of Grey. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
Fifty shades of debut dollars
According to forbes.com, Fifty Shades of Grey brought in $30-million (R354-million) in the US with its debut on Friday and almost $9-million (R106-million) with its Thursday previews.
In South Africa, reported the Sunday Times, more than 66000 tickets were sold before the film opened on Friday. The previous record was for Twilight: Breaking Dawn at 16000.
The film, which is based on the best-selling trilogy by EL James, tells a story of college student Anastasia Steele and her introduction to the world of BDSM by businessman Christian Grey.
BDSM (bondage, discipline and sado-masochism) is a form of erotic sexual play involving dominance and submission.
The movie made its official debut on February 13, and on Valentine’s Day more than 1300 people went to the movie. By 2pm yesterday, 935 people had bought tickets to watch Fifty Shades.
While most hailed the movie, a few people said they were disgusted and the movie was a waste of money and time. Zolani Ngeva described it as being derogatory towards women.
“I just wanted to see the fuss around this movie and I must say I am not impressed. How can one enjoy watching a woman being violated by a power-hungry man?”
Ngeva left the cinema shaking his head in dismay.
Lulama Teka, who was hoping to watch a romantic movie with her partner, said she was disappointed.
“There is no love in this movie. This is all about a woman who ends up being a sex slave,” said Teka.
But others were more than satisfied.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, friends Tamaryn Wilken, Chantel de Klerk and Tasmin Barrow said the movie was fantastic and told the tale better than the books.
“It was fantastic to see the characters of the book come to life. I definitely enjoyed it,” said Wilken.
The three friends said they even shed tears while watching the movie.
“There are some scenes where Anastasia made me cry. It was very sad and I felt sorry for her,” said De Klerk, who said she has read all three books many times.
Uyanda Mjayezi said she travelled all the way from Butterworth to East London to watch the movie on Saturday but was disappointed to hear it was sold out for the day.
Mjayezi was not deterred. She slept over at a friend’s house and bought a ticket for yesterday.
When the Dispatch visited the cinemas yesterday, scores of people were in line for tickets, waiting outside the auditorium for their dose of Fifty Shades of Grey. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
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