At The Zone @ Rosebank, a new era of cinema was unveiled as Ster-Kinekor officially launched its first IMAX® with Laser theatre in Gauteng. What unfolded was more than a premiere. It was a statement — bold, cinematic, and unapologetically immersive.
Celebrities, influencers, and film lovers gathered not just to watch a movie, but to feel one.
And the moment the lights dimmed, it became clear: this was not going to be an ordinary night at the movies.
The Theatre That Changes Everything
The new IMAX® with Laser auditorium is engineered for awe.
A towering 17-metre-wide, 9.7-metre-high screen dominates the space — not as a backdrop, but as a portal. With approximately 285 seats carefully configured for optimal sightlines and acoustic precision, every position in the theatre feels intentional, intimate, and powerful.
But the real magic lies in the technology.
IMAX® with Laser delivers:
- Next-generation 4K laser projection
- Custom optical engines and precision lenses
- Enhanced multi-channel sound that doesn’t just surround you — it moves through you
The result is breathtaking: brighter images, deeper contrast, and a spectrum of colour so rich it feels almost tactile.
As Mark Sardi noted, cinema remains irreplaceable because it delivers films exactly as directors intended — on the biggest canvas, with uncompromised quality. And last night proved that statement in full.
This is not just watching a film.
This is stepping inside it.
The Energy: Where Culture Meets Cinema
The launch carried the pulse of a cultural moment.
From flashing cameras to curated conversations, the atmosphere blended glamour with genuine excitement. It wasn’t just about who was in the room — it was about what everyone was about to experience together.
There’s something deeply human about shared anticipation.
And in that theatre, it was electric.
The Film: Michael — A Legacy Reimagined
The evening’s feature presentation, Michael, brought one of the most iconic stories in music history to the IMAX screen — and it rose to the scale of the moment.
Telling the story of Michael Jackson is no small task. His life was larger than fame — it was cultural, emotional, and deeply complex.
And this film understands that.
Rather than reducing him to headlines, Michael leans into humanity:
- the pressure of greatness
- the weight of expectation
- the fragile space between genius and vulnerability
The storytelling is intimate yet expansive — allowing audiences to connect with the man behind the myth.
A Performance You Don’t Just Watch — You Feel
What elevates Michael in IMAX is not just the narrative — it’s the sensory immersion.
Every note hits deeper.
Every stage performance feels closer.
Every silence carries weight.
The IMAX® with Laser format transforms the film into something almost physical. Concert scenes pulse through the theatre with precision audio, while close-up moments reveal emotion in astonishing clarity.
You don’t just observe Michael Jackson’s journey.
You experience it.
And that’s where the magic happens.
Emotion in High Definition
There is a moment — subtle, powerful — where the theatre falls completely silent.
No movement. No whispers. Just presence.
It’s in that stillness that the true impact of both the film and the technology reveals itself. The clarity of the visuals, the depth of the sound, and the emotional weight of the story converge into something rare:
connection.
Not just to the artist on screen — but to everyone in the room.
Why This Launch Matters
This isn’t just a new cinema format. It’s a shift in how South Africans experience film.
With the addition of IMAX® with Laser, Ster-Kinekor has positioned The Zone as a premium entertainment destination — alongside its Cine Prestige theatres, Kids’ Cinema, and SK-Xperience offerings.
More importantly, it brings world-class cinematic technology closer to communities across Rosebank, Sandton, Hyde Park, and beyond.
It says:
You don’t have to leave South Africa for a global-standard experience.
It’s here.
Final Verdict: Cinema, Elevated
Last night was not just about innovation. It was about intention.
About preserving the magic of cinema in an age of convenience.
About honouring storytelling in its purest, most powerful form.
About reminding us why we still gather in dark rooms to watch light dance across a screen.
The IMAX® with Laser launch at The Zone didn’t just meet expectations — it expanded them.
And paired with Michael, a film that carries legacy, emotion, and cultural weight, the experience became unforgettable.
This is not the future of cinema.
This is now.
