British cinemas face break in feature films

It is becoming increasingly common for blockbusters to be over three hours long. Last in the line of long films is Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the flower moon” which clocks in at 3 hours and 26 minutes.

It has prompted the British cinema chain Vue to reintroduce a 15-minute break in the middle, something that was common when showing longer films until the 1980s, writes The Guardian.

According to Tim Richards, director of Vue’s cinemas in the UK, market research has shown that audiences have asked for breaks to stretch their legs and go to the toilet. Screenings that include intermission have also been popular, with Vue receiving 74 percent positive feedback from moviegoers.

— There are not many events where you are expected to sit in the same chair for several hours. When you go to the theatre, the intermission is a welcome break and it doesn’t seem to distract the audience from continuing to enjoy the great performance, says Tim Richards.

Martin Scorsese has recently, in an interview with Hindustan Timesdefended the long running time of “Killers of the flower moon”.

— People can sit and watch a series for five hours straight, so there are many people who can handle a visit to the cinema that lasts 3.5 hours. Show some respect to the movie theaters, said the 80-year-old director.

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