Ask Spling – Episode 23: What annoys you most when you go to the movies?
In Episode 23 of ‘Ask Spling: Reel Talk and Real Life’… Spling answers: “What annoys you most when you go to the movies?” – a question from Melissa C.
Spling Verdict
The modern cinema theatre must remain a sacred, distraction-free sanctuary where immersive storytelling takes precedence over personal convenience. True movie appreciation requires audience self-policing, mutual respect among patrons and the absolute elimination of disruptive behaviours like mobile torch usage, careless seat-kicking and unwarranted chatter.
Key Insights
Scandinavian Etiquette vs. Multiplex Norms: Screenings at European events like the Stockholm International Film Festival demonstrate how communal self-policing and popcorn-free venues preserve cinematic immersion far better than commercial circuits.
Preserving Visual Immersion: The focused atmosphere required for auteur cinema – from Ingmar Bergman to the likes of Oliver Hermanus and Nico Scheepers – is instantly shattered by latecomers deploying high-beam smartphone torches across dark auditoriums.
Acoustic Discipline in Theatres: Audible chatter, loud snacking, and talking back to the screen compromise the calibrated soundscapes of historic venues like Cape Town’s Labia Theatre, undermining the director’s intended sound design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is complete silence realistic in South African commercial cinemas?
No, achieving absolute silence in commercial South African multiplexes is difficult because our local moviegoing culture is deeply tied to social energy and concession traditions. While heritage arthouse venues like the Labia Theatre attract a quieter, reverent cinephile audience, mainstream cinema chains rely heavily on concession stands where popcorn, fizzy drinks and sweets are staples. This inevitably introduces ambient crunching and rustling. However, there’s a clear line between ambient snacking and active disruption. Audiences must distinguish between incidental noise and deliberate interference like loud phone calls or continuous chatting. While total silence akin to Scandinavian film festival standards remains rare in local commercial complexes, baseline consideration, seat-kicking awareness and minimal chatter should still be standard practice for every local cinemagoer.
Should cinemagoers use their smartphone flashlights if they arrive late to a screening?
No, using a smartphone flashlight to locate your seat after the opening credits roll is one of the most disruptive cinema violations. When a film starts, the auditorium is intentionally blacked out to calibrate audience vision for the projection contrast on screen. Flashing a high-intensity mobile torch instantly shatters the visual immersion for everyone in the room and signals poor planning. If you arrive late, the proper etiquette is to pause briefly in the entrance aisle, allow your eyes to adjust to the ambient light cast by the screen, and navigate cautiously to the nearest open seat without drawing attention. Late arrivals should prioritise being unobtrusive rather than lighting up entire rows, preserving the theatrical environment for patrons who arrived on time.
Does cinema snacking fundamentally ruin the viewing experience for serious film lovers?
It depends, as the impact of cinema concessions hinges on both the food type and the film’s genre. Concessions like popcorn and boxed candy are deeply embedded in South African cinema tradition, providing vital revenue streams for independent and commercial venues alike. In loud blockbusters or animated adventures, ambient crunching blends naturally into dynamic multi-channel sound mixes. However, during intimate auteur dramas, festival screenings or dialogue-heavy indie titles, loud chewing and crinkling packaging severely disrupt emotional beats and subtle sound design. International film circuits, such as those in Stockholm, have successfully minimised concessions to protect acoustic purity. While banning snacks outright is impractical locally, patrons can practice mindful consumption and keep snack handling discreet.
