An Open Letter
To the mother of the 12a’s seated 5 rows behind me at the Cineworld Chelsea yesterday:
Since, after chastising your darlings in public, you have asked me to deal directly with their parents, I address you.
No, it is not OK for your children to whisper incessantly in the cinema throughout the entirety of Terrence Malick’s masterpiece “New World.” Whispering is just as annoying as talking.
No, it is not an excuse that they are young. They are over 12 and should know that it is impolite to disturb other patrons who have spent £17 (not including the price of snacks) to see the film.
Yes, I will mind my own business. But only if your children are not whispering their business in my business.
Yes, I am an obnoxious American who thinks I can come over here and tell people what to do…especially since I pay taxes that support benefits afforded you because you have children…especially since I’ve been living and contributing here for some years…especially with regards to your rights infringing upon mine. I think that in this country I have the right to go to the cinema and watch the film without molestation. I also think that I have the right to voice my opinion regardless of whether or not you feel that I am an obnoxious American. I think this is a country that allows free speech (unlike my own), and I like to exercise it.
To the ratings board: Think! Just because a film doesn’t have sex in it and only violence palatable to 12A’s (as if any violence is) does not mean that you should rate something 12A. “New World” is a very sophisticated and poetic film that is totally over the head of most minors. Some parents such as the aforementioned lady do not do their homework to find out whether this particular 12A might be interesting enough to their little whipper snappers to keep them quiet for plus two hours.
Yours Truly,
Daneeta Loretta Saft