HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) – When the country’s censors blacked out scenes from the film adaptation of the bestselling erotic novel, “Fifty Shades of Grey,” many Zimbabwean movie lovers couldn’t care less. They soon had another option, which was more explicit and cheaper.
The southern African nation’s continued economic difficulties have led to such a successful black market of pirated DVDs that many cinemas have been forced to close. Many Zimbabweans now prefer the small screen in their living rooms, watching pirated copies of new film releases to save money, and in turn bringing the curtain down on the big screen experience.
Before the Zimbabwean dollar collapsed under record 231 million percent inflation in 2008, cinemas were common in cities and towns. Even in the poorest neighborhoods, local councils ran cinemas that were a hit with children and adults. Today, only five movie theatres remain in the country of 13 million people.
“A movie costs a dollar. Going to the movie houses costs $6 per person. You can do the math and you see why I stay at home,” said 26-year-old Samantha Baranza, a clerk at a Harare automotive spare parts distributor.
Traders swarm Harare’s streets, openly displaying a variety of pirated movie titles on the capital’s sidewalks. Dozens of hawkers mill around shopping malls trying to sell pirated movies and music.