The magic of movies has survived the vagaries of time and continues to lure viewers. From the era of silent movies to 3D films, the fascination has endured. In the modern technological world we live in, movies can be downloaded and watched in the privacy of one's home without having to step outside.
People speak of the convenience of home viewing and doing away with the expensive exercise of taking the family to the local theatre. There's also the bonus of not having to dress up and the luxury of attending this visual feast in one's pyjamas if one is so inclined.
However, in my experience, getting the family together for home entertainment can be tricky. There is never consensus on the viewing time, with each member citing other pressing matters which have to be attended to. So, the one person who happens to be free at the time waits impatiently in the room, hand poised on the remote, waiting for an elusive audience.
As the minutes crawl past, the hand moves and the screen comes alive. Hoping to hasten the arrival of the others by this pre-emptive move, he feels a sense of betrayal when there are no signs of imminent attendance.
Shared pleasure
The movie rolls on but his enjoyment has dissipated simply because of the lack of social interaction. There's a huge difference in watching a film alone and while in company. It's so much more fun when the humour is shared and there is consensus or otherwise on the quality of dialogue and direction. Hearing your guffaws mingle with the laughter of a roomful of people also contributes to the enjoyment of the experience.
I remember an elderly relative speaking wistfully of his fascination with films from a very young age and how he did what he could to scrounge the few pennies required to fulfil this fantasy. As the adventure and romance unfolded on the screen, his eyes shone as he imagined himself in the shoes of the protagonist. He became the lover, the conqueror, the idealist.
So obsessed was he with this medium of artistic expression that he contemplated entering this field. He practised brandishing a variety of weapons whenever he found himself free from the demands of school and home. But as soon as his father heard of this wild longing, he made it clear that he would never tolerate such nonsense. Thus, this thespian desire ended in tragedy.
What brought back all these memories and musings? An article on traditional travelling cinemas in India which are under threat of extinction. The advent of cable television and the influx of DVDs are contributing to the demise of an age-old form of cheap entertainment in remote villages, where masses huddle under the stars, transfixed by stories so far removed from the harsh reality of their lives. The arrival of the mobile cinema is looked forward to with great anticipation.
Women dress in their brightest clothes while their children can hardly contain their excitement. But as the screen comes alive, their voices are hushed by the explosion of colour and non-stop action. Transported to another place for a few hours, they are content to feast their eyes on an alien world. They don't question or debate directorial choices. They only marvel at what their senses absorb.
The article mentions marketing strategies devised to extend the life of this form of entertainment such as distributing packets of shampoo and pocket-sized pictures of the stars but clearly this isn't enough incentive. What is sad is the use of modern promotion gimmicks to keep alive a tradition that simply helps the less fortunate dream of a better world.
In the words of Louise Driscoll, "Within your heart keep one still, secret spot where dreams may go."
