Digital cinema leader Barco announced the first installation of the Barco Auro 11.1 immersive sound system in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Kinoforum, a subsidiary of Barco’s Korean digital cinema partner Seoul Incorporate, installed the system in its brand-new preview theatre in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The official inauguration took place on 10 October, in the presence of industry leaders and politicians. The installation is part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Kinoforum and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Film and Culture. “With this agreement we encourage the introduction of new technologies in the national cinema industry,” comments Isarberov Ulan, Vice President of the Kyrgyz film council. Hyunsoo Kim, Kinoforum’s founder and president, concurs: “Thanks to this government collaboration, we can provide cinema exhibitors in Kyrgyzstan, and CIS as a whole, with the means to astound their audiences.”
The installation of the Barco Auro 11.1 technology is Kinoforum’s
first answer to the MoU and was officially presented on 10 October during the opening ceremony of Kinoforum’s preview theatre – which features 250 seats (including 50 VIP seats), a 12-meter-wide screen, and a Barco digital cinema projector. The preview theatre is located in the National Library of Kyrgyzstan, also known as the cultural heart of the country. The National Library houses most foreign cultural councils (Britain, Russia, Turkey, China and Korea). Apart from Bectenalieva, other renowned guests attending the ceremony were Jyldyz Bakashova, Director of the National Library of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kerimova Gulmira, President of Kyrgyzfilm (The national film studio of the Kyrgyzstan republic), Kanybek Osmonaliev, chairman of the Education, Science, Culture and Sports committee in the Kyrgyz Parliament, Bektenaliev Muktaliev, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Film and Culture and ambassadors and counsellors from different European, Arabian and Asian countries. At this event with about 100 VIPs, Barco also showcased its wireless presentation system ClickShare for the first time in the CIS countries.
Unlike conventional 5.1 surround sound systems, the Barco Auro 11.1 sound system is designed along three axes: width, depth, and height. “Kinoforum’s advanced preview theatre is the perfect environment to experience this innovative technology for the first time,” Kim added. Wilfried Van Baelen, CEO of Auro Technologies, adds: “It’s great news that we are taking the immersive sound of Auro 11.1 to new countries around the world. We hope that this first installation in Kyrgyzstan is followed by many others in the CIS.”
“With 16 Barco Auro 11.1 installations in Russia and this first installation in Kyrgyzstan, it’s clear that the CIS countries are ready for an exciting, new sound,” says Dongkyu Lee, Digital Cinema Division manager at Barco Ltd. Korea. “Obviously, we are delighted to see the format spread across the world. We are convinced that Auro 11.1 will provide movie aficionados in Kyrgyzstan and beyond with an unparalleled experience.”