Swiss OpenAir Concept, the company that took open-air cinema screening in the UAE to another level in 2008, is looking to expand into 25 countries in the near future.

The Swiss-based global entertainment giant will open its second season in the UAE from November 26 at the Media City Amphitheatre with a much-anticipated screening of The Twilight Saga: New Moon.

Talking about the 2008 season in the UAE and how they fared globally during the recession, Farzin Samadian, CEO, Swiss OpenAir Concept, told Emirates Business: "We were very happy with the results of last year's season. Out of the 17 locations that we travelled to in 2008, the UAE had the best results with 82 per cent of the total tickets being sold. In fact, after the season ended we received numerous e-mails asking us when we would be coming back to the UAE.

"Our business has been very fortunate this year and we have not suffered severely," said Samadian.

He said 2009 has been one of Swiss OpenAir's best years in Australia and Switzerland. "In some of the locations, we extended the programme by as many as five days to satisfy demand,'' he said.

"For the UAE shows this year, we aim to sell 100 per cent of the tickets, we are fully aware that each season is different. However, we have a great selection of movies and we have moved to a new location this year to accommodate more people. So it promises to be a very successful season," said Samadian.

Talking about their plans for the future Dr Sam Samadian, Chairman, Swiss OpenAir Concept, said: "The first Swiss OpenAir screening was in 1989 on the lake of Zurich in Switzerland, and it was an enormous success. The concept was then replicated in Basel, Bern, Lausanne and Geneva and then exported to Germany in 1993."

After expanding into South Korea and Australia, the company came to the UAE in 2008, as part of a growth plan that also included Brazil and Portugal.

"We also have an additional 25 countries in our business plan that we are hoping to expand into in the near future," said Samadian.

Swiss OpenAir is a 4,000sqft screen that rises six stories high and is accompanied by a 32 speaker digital surround sound system.

The screen itself lies across water or land during day and at night it is hydraulically raised in under five minutes to stand six floors high.

The movie nights will be accompanied by a food festival serving international cuisine as well as a DJ who will host an after-party on Thursday nights.

Talking about this year's fare for moviegoers, Farzin Samadian said: "Usually we  feature recently released film titles spanning a range of genres from comedy to thriller, block-buster to art-house. This year's season will close with Amelia starring Richard Gere and Hilary Swank.

"Every film that is on the programme this year is either a world or a regional premiere; mostly Hollywood blockbusters, but there will be two Bollywood nights, two family nights and a special charity event," he said.

 SwissOpenAir cinema will run every night from November 26 – December 7, with doors opening at 7pm for dinner and drinks. Tickets are priced at Dh 55.


What's on when

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (above)

Thursday, November 26

Director: Chris Weitz

Cast: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson


Old Dogs (Charity Night)

Friday,November 27

Director: Walt Becker

Cast: John Travolta and Robin Williams

Disney's A Christmas Carol (Family Night)

Saturday, November 28

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Cast: Jim Carrey and Steve Valentine

Zombieland (Comedy Night)

Sunday November 29

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson

King Conqueror (Historical Action Night)

Monday, November 30

Cast: Tim Roth and Thomas Kretschmann

Bollywood "Surprise Night"

Tuesday, December 1

Catch the premiere of a Bollywood blockbuster, to be announced on the night.

Everybody's Fine (Family Night)

Wednesday, December 2

Director: Kirk Jones

Cast: Robert De Niro and Drew Barrymore

Ninja Assassin (Action Night)

Thursday, December 3

Director: James McTeigue

Cast: Sung Kang and Randall Duk Kim

The Vampire's Assistant – Circus du Freak (Mystery Night)

Friday, December 4

Director: Paul Weitz

Cast: John C Reilly and Josh Hutcherson

Astro Boy (Family Night)

Saturday, December 5

Director: David Bowers

Cast: Kristen Bell and Nicolas Cage

Bollywood surprise night

Sunday, December 6

Amelia (Closing Night)

Director: Mira Nair

Monday, December 7

Cast: Hilary Swank and Richard Gere

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