A Truly Disappointing Trip to the Cinema

Last night, we decided to treat ourselves to a night at the cinema, to watch the new Marvel Avengers movie.  We don't go too often, as it is pretty expensive, but as we hadn't been for a while, OH was happy to treat us to a family night out.

I was incredibly disappointed, however, when a member of the viewing audience, who I believe had Special Educational Needs (I apologise if this is not the current politically correct term) was asked to leave the cinema half way through the film, on account of the complaints of a couple of viewers, that they were making too much noise and causing a distraction.

This was so out of order, I was shocked and disgusted.  Yes, they were making a little bit of noise, but this was a major action movie, with lots of loud action scenes.  It was easy for anyone with only a modicum of humanity to overlook an extra little bit of noise, especially when it was the sound of someone who was seemingly enjoying the film.

After witnessing this incident, I was so angry I was shaking.  I couldn't help myself but to go outside and speak to a member of staff about the matter.  I was told I wasn't the first person to complain about the course of action taken, but that the matter was being dealt with 'in house'.  I'm not sure what that actually meant, and I realise that I was possibly being 'fobbed off'.

This incident spoilt my enjoyment of the film, knowing that someone who had paid to watch it, wasn't able to because of the immaturity, selfishness and narrow mindedness of a few individuals. Shame on them I say, for not allowing an already marginalised member of our society, the opportunity to enjoy a Saturday night out at the cinema.

Shame too, on the incredibly insensitive decision made by the duty manager.  We had all paid and been granted access to watch that film and should all have been allowed to do so. The superhero genre of the film made it all the more ironic that this incident should have occurred.  It makes me feel sad.  Why are we so intolerant, in our supposedly democratic and egalitarian society?

I have made a complaint online to the company concerned (although their website does not make it easy to do so) and I am awaiting a suitable response.  It will be interesting to see what they have to say, although I don't hold out much hope of it being anything in any way positive.  We really do need to think about how we are excluding some people in society, from fully participating in cultural life.

We are all human beings and we should be more accepting and accomodating of each others differences.  I feel ashamed to have been one of a full audience that witnessed this and didn't rise up to prevent it.  A few people did leave the cinema as this was happening, whether they were in the same party or whether this was in protest or not I don't know, and I should have been one of them. Needless to say, I will protesting with my feet (albeit too late) in the future and will not be returning to this multiplex cinema anytime soon.