“One of the things that shocked me is it’s 95 years old, which is, like, older than my parents and grandparents!”

Maryam Al-Briki is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Al-Briki is on scholarship from the Sultanate of Oman, and came to the United States to study actuarial science at the university. She loves Milwaukee, and tries to explore the city in her free time.

Q: So, Maryam, since you are here today for Doors Open Milwaukee events, could you tell us why you chose this place to visit?

A: As I heard that this is a unique place for people who love movies, and I am a big fan of movies and theaters. Also, I heard about a movie that will be shown in this theater called “3000 Years of Longing” so I was excited to come to see the place and enjoy the movie, and that’s why I chose the Oriental theater for doors open Milwaukee.

Q: What are the new things that you have learned about this place that you did not know before?

A: One of the things shocked me is that it’s 95 years old, which is like older than my parents and grandparents! So being in a place that is this old is obviously a historical place. Another this is that, besides the long history of this place, it actually gathers so many cultures all together. Knowing all this make the visit worth it.”

Q: If I asked about your favorite thing about this place, what would you say?

A: What I really liked about the Oriental Theater is, the place’s decoration, it is so incredible. It will grab your attention as soon as you get inside. Also, as I mentioned before that the cultures mix of the décor’s details. For example, there was some of the Greek culture, and Indian culture as soon as you see Buddha statues. Some of the decorations I saw also reminded me of the Levant and old Damascus. So, all this stuff made me love the place and want to take pictures of it, to remember it and learn more about it.

Q: have you been to any other places that similar to this one? or is it you first experience of visiting a place that gathers mixed cultures.

A: No, this is the only place in Milwaukee that I have visit with this kind of description, like that is this old but at the same time it is still used for entertainment.

It worth the visit, I did go to other theaters, but they were mostly casual and all the same. None of the theaters was this beautiful or unique as the Oriental Theater is.

Q: Can you tell us if you have watched any movies at this theater before?

A: Yeah, I did, the very first movie experience in Milwaukee was in this theater. The name of the movie was, “Knifes Out”. it was about a murder in a family, and they were fighting to stay alive and figure out who was the killer and why he committed this murder.

Q: From your experience in this place, how would you rate it? And why?

A: I would give this place a 7.5. The place is too old. In fact, I liked it because of its oldness, and I dislike it also for the same reason. The popcorn I bought from this place was not that good. Also, the chairs were not that comfy as the other theater’s seats.

Q: From your rating for this place, do you mean that this place needs to be renovated?

A: Yeah, for sure, this place needs to be renovated, even if is a good popular place before, it is still 95 years old, which means it is old and needs renovation.

Q: Would you recommend others to visit this place?

A: Yes, I would recommend this place for other like my friends or any other person.  It deserves to be visited even for once at least.