Today’s a sad day for cinephiles and Jakarta’s cool kids, as indie microcinema Kinosaurus announced that it is closing up shop after five years of operation.
Kinosaurus, known for screening indie and award-winning films from Indonesia and around the world in an intimate setting, took to social media to announce the closure of their theater, which was located behind Aksara bookstore in Kemang, South Jakarta. As expected, the hard decision was made due to the COVID-19 pandemic — Kinosaurus has been closed to the public since mid-March and has been relying on online workshops and discussions, as well as merchandise sales.
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“Effectively from December 2020, Kinosaurus will officially close its screening room that’s located on Kemang Raya 8B, South Jakarta. The reason is finance, we aren’t able to fulfill the operational cost, especially since the pandemic hits. Not only that, we feel that the condition of that room can no longer meet the security and safety needs of the visitors amid the pandemic era,” Kinosaurus wrote.
Kinosaurus also expressed their gratitude to customers who have been supporting them in the past five years, as well as to the film owners, filmmakers, distributors, cultural institutions, and other parties who have been along for the ride.
“For your information, Kinosaurus will still exist, live and grow despite being in a different form from the past five years. Wait for the next announcement regarding our new home — online or offline — where we will meet again with you.”
Kinosaurus opened in December 2015, initiated by indie director Edwin, his wife and Aksara co-owner Adinda Simandjuntak, as well as film producers Muhammad Zaidy and Meiske Taurisia. At that time, the founders felt that Jakarta needed an alternative to traditional movie theaters that generally only screen mainstream Hollywood and Indonesian films. The intimate theater was only able to hold around 30 people, and visitors mostly had to come on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition, Kemang Raya 8B, the building that houses Aksara, Kinosaurus, as well as some of South Jakarta’s coolest spots, has also closed its doors after 20 years.
See you when we see you, Kinosaurus!
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