The country’s only cinema remains closed indefinitely due to the caretaker Government’s state of emergency restrictions as well as a lack of new movie releases.

A former Apollo Cinema staff member, Auree Westerlund, in response to emailed questions from the Samoa Observer, said everyone should by now be well versed with COVID-19 pandemic's challenges to the global film industry.

She added that people needed to be persuaded to spend $15 and the reality was they don’t want to pay to watch old movies.

“Apparently, I’m not sure what the people really want to know, since most are all accessed to social media and are well aware of the reality of the substantial [challenges] the film industry is facing due to COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. 

“That’s the final decision now, unless it puts on some old movies where people will not waste their $15 a ticket on Apollo Cinema is a movie business and totally relies on the movie companies to send new releases to enjoy.”

The last movie screening at the Apollo Cinema was the Disney production "Mulan" in September last year after the N.E.O.C. and Police set some conditions for the business in relation to the state of emergency orders.

And with social distancing enforced in public places as well as church gatherings, the Apollo Cinema also came under those restriction orders.

It is understood that the local cinema laid off staff last year following the closure of the business.

“Apollo Cinema has been closed down since April-May last year meaning there are no employees and managers to reply to emails and phone calls at all," she said.