Can cinema come back?
Like many other die hard hopefuls, when King Kong hit our “big screen” very shortly after its worldwise premiere, I joined the crowds to go see it, 9-12 wala show. Having chosen (unfortunately or not) a Thursday, I did not expect too much rowdiness but nor did I expect a full house.
Even though there were the usual catcalls and hooting, that did not bother me as much as the lack of consideration people exhibited for each other. People who brough in 7 month old babies for a 9-12 show and a variety of kids aged 4-8 who isistently scremed for the “bandar” to come on stage. And anyone who has seen the movie will know that the monkey does not appear till almost halfway down the scenario. Other than that there was the fact that people sitting behind me translated the movie into urdu for their partners loudly. Thats what the urdu show would be there for, I think. Funny thing is that everyone acted like they were the ones who bought the ticket and were hence allowed to do as they will, whether it meant standing with the door open to shush a crying child or to stand and shout for the popcorn wala.
Someone once said that Karachi has the least bit of community sense in all of Pakistan. Sadly I agreed.
I’m a frequent cinema-goer, Pakistani and otherwise. I love the experience contrary to what my recounting might be and I see good things happening. Maybe it’s all about traning then and as it becomes more common to show more movies, people will learn the etiquette too. Here’s hoping!
Entertainment is good business all over the world, ever wonder why with such a huge population there is no real investment in the entertainment sector in pakistan. The main reason is ettiqute and disipline of the end market. there are so many thing all over the world not available in pakistan because of this, example I would not invest in a shooting range or even paintball for that matter because some sorry shmuk would probably point a weapon at a friend and pull the trigger just to see what happens. there are many more examples but you get the point I hope.
i wudnt be so harsh in my judgement, in many countries they have special shows where you can bring ur nine month old kids along, because lets face it even mums need to get a break ( specially whn they have a 9 month old child) unfortunately we dun have such shows in our cinemas which means that ppl have to bring along they’r 9month olds to normal screenings causing trouble for others.
that said im not denying the lack of social sense in our society. i guess it mainly stems from widespread lack of education, there is no real investment in educational institutions in pakistan, and following Destitute Rebel’s logic it may be due to the lack of discipline or maybe the lack of desire to learn !!!, its a cyclical argument
There’s a normal path of evolution before something becomes stabilized all over the world. Thats true for cinema in karachi as well.
Jammie is right in saying that these things will have to be learned…
As for me, i waited a little to go see it. and when i did ! it was a great experience :D
actually movie cinemas have a declining business here in north america , due to shareware, and as more people are getting the similar experince at home with home theaters! they are trying to get more business by selling booze! pretty wierd… but i see no reason why the cinema should decline if there are good movies made by the local industry…. have a product … will sell!!
iam amazed that you completely forget the mobile phones ….!
No i don’t think that is possible in the near future infact in the coming two-three years the remaining theatres will also be demolished and replaced with shopping centers or apartment complex…the plans for a mini cinema inside the shopping mall on Tariq road initially announced by the builder&developers was also shelved.
Nobody had touched the main culprit for the declinig cinema goers in pakistan and that is copyright theft. lets face it, with wide screen plasma tvs and state of the art home cinema systems, we get all what we want in our own home and for only hundred rupees u get a brand new dvd COPY ! anyone would be a fool to go to see a movie in the cinema in pakistan where their is no concept of cleanliness or comfort, and most importantly, if u happen to go with a female,you would be mostly busy looking around for the “hero type” lafangays who have more interest in the ladies rather than the movie itself. I went to capri cinema once with my fiancee and ended up having a fight! since that day i promised myself not to go to see a movie in pakistan especially with a female.