Short answer: No. After a recent extraordinary confrontation, I can’t believe I’m still having to say this.
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In recent years, it appeared the message about not using phones in cinemas had finally got through to those numbskull orcs who lack the self-awareness to realise it is inconsiderate and rude. At every cinema I frequent, there are now pre-main feature instructions for audiences to switch off their devices. Generally speaking, this instruction is followed. At least, it is at the screenings I attend. Admittedly, I apply my own science of how to avoid disruptive audiences, but even so, I believed this anti-social blight was starting to be a thing of the past. I believed I no longer needed to rant on this subject.
Lately, I’ve noticed some unfortunate behaviour creeping back in. Everyone knows how annoying glaring pinging screens can be, shattering the immersive illusion and ruining the experience for everyone, but there are some who seem to think this is acceptable if screen light is reduced. Others operate under the delusion that it is OK to keep your phone on silent, as long as you only glance at it every fifteen minutes and the rest of the time the screen faces down.
Neither of those things is acceptable. It is still distracting and intrusive. If you’re doing this, in the name of all that is noble, lovely, and true, stop it. And don’t make me come over there and tell you, as you risk witnessing the Dillon Empire go nuclear.
Let me be one hundred percent clear about this: There are no circ*mstances in which it is acceptable to use a mobile phone during the main feature of a cinema screening. Your phone should be off. Not on “silent”. Not on “reduced light”. Not on “flight mode”. Off. If you can’t afford to be out of contact for the duration of a feature film (and 99.99 percent of you damn well can be), then don’t go to the cinema. For decades, the human race managed perfectly without mobile phones and went to cinemas without them. There is no excuse to selfishly disrupt a film for your fellow patrons. This is not your sitting room. This is a cinema.
Let me tell you what happens when I see someone using a phone during a film: I am immediately removed from the…
As an avid cinema enthusiast with a profound understanding of cinema etiquette, I find it disheartening that despite the apparent progress in conveying the message of refraining from phone usage in cinemas, there are still instances of disruptive behavior. I, too, have actively engaged in the cinephile community and have applied my own strategies to ensure an uninterrupted cinematic experience.
The article by Simon Dillon resonates with my sentiments as it addresses the resurgence of undesirable conduct in cinemas, particularly the use of mobile phones during screenings. My extensive experience aligns with Dillon's observation that, despite the pre-main feature instructions, there are individuals who exhibit a lack of self-awareness, compromising the immersive nature of the cinematic experience.
Dillon aptly criticizes the misguided belief that reducing screen brightness or keeping phones on silent justifies their use during a film. Drawing upon my expertise, I can affirm that such actions remain distracting and intrusive, undermining the shared experience of the audience. The author's frustration is palpable, mirroring my own sentiments when encountering similar disruptions in cinemas.
The core message emphasized by Dillon, asserting that there are no acceptable circ*mstances for using a mobile phone during the main feature, resonates deeply with my own conviction. The insistence on turning off the phone entirely, regardless of silent or reduced light settings, reflects a commitment to preserving the sanctity of the cinematic space.
Dillon's call to action, urging individuals who cannot be without their phones during a feature film to reconsider attending cinemas, echoes a sentiment I have advocated based on the historical precedence of cinema attendance without the ubiquitous presence of mobile devices.
In conclusion, my expertise in cinema culture aligns with the author's passionate plea for a return to respectful and considerate behavior in cinemas. I share the sentiment that the use of mobile phones during screenings disrupts the communal enjoyment of cinema and that a collective commitment to proper cinema etiquette is essential for an optimal cinematic experience.
