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Topic: Theater Tells ‘Tree of Life’ Audience to Have an “Open Mind,” Refuses Refunds
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System Notices
Forum Watchdog / Soup Nazi
Posts: 215
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 06-24-2011 06:56 PM
Theater Tells ‘Tree of Life’ Audience to Have an “Open Mind,” Refuses Refunds
Source: filmschoolrejects.com
quote: The Tree of Life isn’t a film for everyone. You have to meet it halfway, it tests your patience at times, and it doesn’t fit normal storytelling conventions. If a viewer isn’t at all into experimental filmmaking and doesn’t know what “non-linear” means, then it’s most likely not a film for them. Because of this, some filmgoers should probably do their homework before going to Terrence Malick’s epic.
“Brad Pitt? Sean Penn? Dinosaurs? And the creation of earth!?! Awesome!” Some patrons must’ve gotten that impression, and the art house Avon Theater in Stamford, CT is responding to those theatergoers who would prefer a refund, rather than enduring a two and a half hour poem.
Here’s the “no refund” warning the theater put out:
Now, does this read at all as condescending? Even as someone who adores the film, there’s something inherently snobbish about this warning. I could easily see someone knowing what they’re paying for, but not ending up enjoying the experience. Not everyone dislikes The Tree of Life just because they “didn’t get it.” If a theater patron knew that they were getting an unconventional film but ended up being aggravated by its possible repetition and self-importance, why would they want to lose over 2 hours of their (possibly important) time and ten bucks over an unenjoyable experience?
Should a theater’s response to a dissatisfied filmgoer really be ‘you just didn’t get it’?
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Kurt Zupin
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 989
From: Maricopa, Arizona
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 06-25-2011 02:40 AM
I could read up on a film all freaking day and watch every trailer out there for it. Does not mean that once I see it I'm going to like it, I've seen plenty of films that I read up on and watched previews for and just hated once I started watching them. I've only walked out of one movie though. I make myself sit through something, no matter how bad it is.
The "Sign" just comes off as pretentious and arrogant. Makes the theater look like a bunch of ass holes. I quote "The Avon stands behind the ambitious work of art and other challenging films, which define us as TRUE ART HOUSE CINEMA, AND WE HOPE YOU WILL EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS WITH US." Well fuck you and your "true art house cinema". /Rant
I'm fine not giving a refund, if a guest comes up after 30 minutes from a movie. We don't give them a refund. If someone comes up and says, "Man you know we just couldn't get into this movie, its really not our thing." I'm not going to give them there money back but I'm sure as hell going to take care of them. I don't have a note posted in the window saying, Don't like the movie? Tough, NO-REFUND.
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Frank Angel
Film God
Posts: 5305
From: Brooklyn NY USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 06-29-2011 05:20 PM
Yes, any theatre could op to give a refund if someone were to come out after a reasonable time, as you say, 20 - 30 min. and was really disappointed, but that refund would only be as a good will gesture, and certainly not because the theatre has any obligation to do so.
As for the notice, I think the theatre is just basically reiterating their no refund policy and saying, "Enter at your own risk." I don't see any problem with them warning people that a particular movie is controvertial and that people have not liked it. Condescending, perhaps, but remember it is an art house which by its nature runs films that are out of the Hollywood mainstream and not to everyones taste. They happen to think this particular film is worthy of being run. If no exhibitor ever took a risk and presented only what was safe and appealed just to the mask market (I am picturing an audience booing and rioting at the primiere, hating Stravinski's ground-breaking, incredible Rite of Spring), how BORED would we all be!
I see nothing wrong with the warning; they are just reiterating their No Refund policy. I would bet the tone, while yes, it is a bit pompous, more than likely comes from quite a bit of abuse that they must have taken from boorish patrons who thought the theatre should only show films that the patron personally finds pleasing and give refunds for the ones they don't.
And what patron goes into a film totally blind and without knowing ANYTHING about it? Who DOES that? Would I go into a movie titled THE TREE OF LIFE and have not a clue whatsoever what it is about....not read a review, just pick it because I think the title is interesting, and then expect a refund because I didn't like it? That's nonsense. Certainly there has been enough written about this movie and Terrence Malick that a moviegoer with just a modicum of curiosity, especially one who goes to an art house, would know something of the controversy about the film and take that into consideration when buying the ticket. And just in case there is a clueless person, the theatre is being kind enough to warn him of the controversy beforehand. They make it clear they are on the positive side of the love/hate debate and they think the film will broaden ones horizons. How is this so terrible?
The alternative to posting a warining would be not to post anything and just ask whoever comes out saying they want a refund, if they know how to whistle Dixie.
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