Separation in the Film Theatre

Having already had a screening in a larger theatre with a bigger audience, I decided to see my debut feature film, A Hero of Our Time (2023), in a more intimate setting. So, I attended a screening that took place in a small theatre in the early hours of the day. I purchased a ticket and settled into the back row of the empty theatre.

As the screening time approached, a few others came in. Following our secret tradition, everyone chose seats distanced from each other. The film began, and I separated myself from those four film enthusiasts: They focused on the world of the film, but I stayed in my own world to focus on them. I tried to catch their reactions to various scenes and wondered what they thought. Did my tricks work on them? Did I arouse their creative sides to contribute to the film? Would any of them leave the theatre before the film finished?

Surely, there would be nothing wrong with a walkout, as I also have done it many times. But, to my surprise, everyone remained seated until the very end. And, indeed, I did not notice any visible signs of boredom. Of course, I could only speculate about it. Perhaps it didn’t meet their expectations, perhaps they didn’t enjoy it at all, perhaps they were still contemplating it, or they already decided to rate it on a film database platform. In any case, I always try to develop a mindset that steps into the viewer’s perspective, since I tend to see each member of the audience as a part of my film crew.

In my world of filmmaking, creation always goes beyond just the film itself, it includes subtitles, posters, screenings, trailers, and, of course, the audience. Just as I observe, guide, and collaborate through a film’s development and production stages, I believe, my role as a director continues even after the film is completed. I still observe, guide, and collaborate. And surely, I prefer to do it more passively as I did in this screening. Otherwise, I would be no different from a preacher.

Anyway, regardless of what they thought, I highly appreciate their commitment. And, of course, it was a pleasure to witness them partake in one of my greatest joys: Watching a film in a nearly empty theater. And this time, it happened with my own film.

Note: The Alkazar film theater in Istanbul, where the film was screened, was one of the most uncomfortable and low-quality theaters I’ve ever been to. Its poor conditions, especially regarding sound harmed the overall experience.