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Trigger Warning: Thread about abuse in cinemas.
The sorry saga of @SaveTyneside has reached new chapter with rightful resignations but there are no celebrations here. It's been triggering for us + many, many people and to be frank @tynesidecinema is a canary in a coal mine.1/12
The sorry saga of @SaveTyneside has reached new chapter with rightful resignations but there are no celebrations here. It's been triggering for us + many, many people and to be frank @tynesidecinema is a canary in a coal mine.1/12
We need a frank + open sector-wide discussion about how we eradicate abuse in ALL cinemas, multiplex, indie, community, festivals and in the invisible OFFICES of organisations including sector support + funders. We need every1 to work together on this or else it won't change.2/12
These current events have caused us to pause our public work as we have been forced to relive horrible moments from our careers + how we have also sometimes failed in creating truly safe spaces for public + volunteers as there has been no practical training on this for years.3/12
We find ourselves asking if @BFI and other arts organisations are unable/unqualified to safely hold a conversation about trauma/abuse, why do we/venues screen (+ make money from) so many stories about it? Esp during pandemic + Black Lives Matter when so many are traumatised.4/12
A few examples: How prepared were cinemas for screening BLACK WIDOW @Disney_UK back in May knowing now that the storyline focuses on state abuse of women including forced sterilisation which we are witnessing in US/China in real life? 5/12
How responsible were @BBFC @WarnerBrosUK being around TENET's certification decisions on domestic abuse (shooting, punching = OK for 12A (ie kids) but Kicking would make it a 15) during this pandemic that has seen a horrific rise in domestic abuse reports? 6/12
We feel extremely uncomfortable about release of SAINT MAUD. It is an astonishing film in many ways, but its content really needs to be considered esp in light of pandemic. But do we cinemas @BFI @BBFC @StudiocanalUK have forum to discuss or is it business as usual? 7/12
It is clear we are entering a new era for culture, one where we have to reflect on what our roles are in a pandemic world and how we make empathy, compassion and solidarity an ESSENTIAL part of working in the arts, esp our 'cultural leaders'. COVID shown we have so far to go.8/12
But despite it all,we still believe in a better world. Cinemas CAN be zones of tolerance + respect. Therapeutic + Empathy building. For too long we've peddled images of violence and oppression, esp dressed as comedy, without due care for its impact on audiences + communities.9/12
Cinema Nation makes a commitment to stand with survivors of cinema abuse.
For we are survivors.
@serialmam + @MemphisMidnight should not have had to use social media to get justice. That fact damns us all. + we will no longer stay silent. Things. Must. Change.10/12
For we are survivors.
@serialmam + @MemphisMidnight should not have had to use social media to get justice. That fact damns us all. + we will no longer stay silent. Things. Must. Change.10/12
Cinemas are hurting. The UK government's colossal failure in keeping its citizens safe means cinemas are forced to be complicit in this, risking harm to audiences and staff, esp when funding support tied into being open. Staff + audience members safety concerns ignored. 11/12
So we will challenge our colleagues in 'the arts' to consider how we've been desensitized to violence and abuse through the images that have surrounded us since childhood. Cinemas and filmmakers need accountability and take responsibility in their roles as image custodians 12/12
