Shopping Guide
The City Lights Association for the Appreciation of Film Without Barriers and Chupki Ltd. have teamed up to create the Universal Theater Cinema Chupki Tabata, a theater dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can enjoy films regardless of any barriers. It will be the first of its kind in Japan and is opening in Higashi Tabata, Tokyo on Sept. 1.
■ 15 million yen for construction was earned through crowdfunding
City Lights first came up with plans for a theater where absolutely everyone can enjoy film together 15 years ago in 2001. It was a huge undertaking and costed 15 million yen for construction. Amazingly, the entirety of that was earned through fundraising. After the many years of work, it will be opening next month. There will also be a pre-opening event on Aug. 27. Crowdfunding is also in progress on Motion Gallery. Its goal is 6 million yen to be used for additional construction, seating, and signs.
You can check out details on the crowdfunding here.
■ About Universal Theater
This theater is designed to be a welcoming place to all variety of people including those who are blind, deaf, in a wheelchair, have disabilities, and also mothers with small children. It came together out of a desire to create a place where anyone could comfortably go and enjoy a movie with others regardless of obstacles.
Earphone Voice Guide
Using the earphones installed with every seat, visitors can listen to an explanation of each scene through the voice guide so that blind moviegoers can follow any film. The earphones can also be used to amplify the sound of the film, making them convenient for visitors with poor hearing.
Japanese Subtitles
Movies (including those with Japanese audio) will all have Japanese subtitles so that deaf moviegoers can enjoy all of the films, as well.
Wheelchair Spaces
The entrance, restrooms, and theater itself are all open and easy to navigate for visitors in wheelchairs.
Room for Parents with Children
This theater is a lot more comfortable for children who are very young or uncomfortable in large crowds than traditional theaters.
Other aid will include occasional sign language narrators and dedicated days for parents with children among other plans to cater to a variety of needs with the goal of making this the most welcoming movie theater out there.
■ Universal Theater Highlights
**1. Emphasizing the importance of allowing customers to mingle in a way only possible at a small theater**
Over the 15 years of volunteer activities, it was discovered that film was a great medium for connecting everyone from college students to the elderly. People can connect after a film by sharing their thoughts and impressions. Those who can’t see can hear the voice of life, and those who can’t see can hear the vibrations of life. Impressions of a movie can change and deepen as you share what you feel with others, giving the film more significance. These connections between people who may not have otherwise met are made possible through this small theater with only approximately 20 seats.
2. The floor of the theater has artificial grass to give the room a feeling of being a forest
Chupki is an Ainu word meaning natural light. That’s captured here through a room designed to resemble a forest. The theater lobby has trees and a green warmth. The walls have trees expressing that chupki. Names of backers have been written on leaves as thanks for their support. The floor of the theater has artificial grass to make you feel like you’re watching the film outside, making it a more relaxing environment.
3. 11.1ch speakers are used to surround you in a soft “forest sound”
A lot of focus was placed on the sound system for the sake of people with poor vision for whom it’s especially important. The sound director Yoshikazu Iwanami put a great deal of effort into making this a pleasant space where you can “hear” the light of the room, even if you can’t see it. Speakers have been set up all around the room, creating a three-dimensional sound to pull you into the film. You’ll be wrapped in a gentle sound, dubbed a “forest sound.” (7.1.4ch Dolby Atmos, supports DTS:X)
■ Theater Summary
Name: Cinema Chupki Tabata
Location: Higashi Tabata 2-8-4 Mount Side Tabata 1F,Kita-ku, Tokyo-to
Access: 5-minute walk from Tabata Station’s North Exit using the JR Yamanote Line or Keihin-Tohoku Line
Opens: Sept. 1, 2016
Business Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Closed: Wednesdays
Tickets:
- General: 1,500 yen
- Seniors/College Students: 1,000 yen
- Middle School Students and Younger: 500 yen
Number of Screens: 1
Screen Size: 120” White Screen (16:9), 2657 x 1494 mm | 104.6” x 58.8”
Projection Device: DLA-X750R 4K Projector Digital Display
Number of Seats: 17 (includes 2 wheelchair spaces) ※20 with assisted seating
Operated by: Chupki Ltd.
Details Page
■ September Screening Schedule
The first film will be Chaplin’s City Lights ( Machi no Hi in Japanese) in honor of City Lights’ name!
・Sept. 1-9: City Lights (1931, American film, 87 minutes) - 10:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m.
・Sept. 10-16: Kid (1921, American film, 53 minutes) - 10:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m.
・Sept. 17-23: Modern Times (1936, American film, 88 minutes) - 10:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m.
・Sept. 24-30: The Great Dictator (1940, American film, 126 minutes) - 10:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m.
・Sept. 1-30: Kamisama Tono Yakusoku: Tainai Kioku wo Kataru Kodomotachi - 1:30 p.m.
・Sept. 1-30: Bagdad Cafe New Director’s Cut - 7:30 p.m.
■ Future Prospects
Since this theater was first set up, a great deal of support has been sought out for help with the voice guide and creating a barrier-free environment. A lot of input was gained from speaking with the handicapped, and a lot of unfortunate things realized. City Lights seeks to become a model theater, but is also highly focused on seeing what the needs are of its own community. It’s aiming to be a communication space where members of the community can learn about each other, help each other, and grow together.
Source: @Press
