To think that cinemas should cater for people with hearing problems?

[jenfraggle]

I am partially deaf and unable to watch tv without subtitles. I have tried hearing aids but they just don't work for me. It's not a case of needing the volume louder, it is the clarity of the sound which means that I miss a lot of what is said.

I have the same problem with going to the cinema. Even though it is loud, I just can't work out enough of the dialogue to be able to follow and enjoy the film. The only films I've been to see in the last few years are the Harry Potter ones as I know the story so can follow even if I can't hear.

I want to see American Reunion but none of the cinemas around here have any subtitled performances. I've tried looking further afield but it looks like I would have to leave the county and this is a bit overkill just to see a film. Why do they advertise that they do subtitled performances but when you look at the schedules, this could mean one performance of one film at one cinema every few weeks?

I realise that most people don't want subtitles and would not expect every single performance to have them but surely it's not too much to ask for there to be at least 1 a week of each film at each cinema?

Our Cineworld shows a number of films with subtitles every week. We were at the subtitled showing of The Muppets and it did make me chuckle that the caption for when the Swedish Chef was talking said 'mock Swedish'! Would it be worth writing to the manager? Personally I don't mind watching subtitled movies. And unless your cinema is really rural surely they have enough showings per day (ours shows each movie at least 5 times a day sometimes!) to have at least one subtitled show.

YANBU
I think it is pretty bad that they don't

YANBU but I dont expect the demand is high enough to cover the overheads.

YANBU

Where are you based? It doesn't sound like you're that out in the sticks. There are dead/quiet times for cinemas. Morning showings on Saturday and Sundays are often quite empty. Wouldn't it make sense to try and pull in more people by offering one of those as a ST showing?

I'm in Cornwall.

I have just checked the odeon in the next town and they do have a few selected films with subtitles
our local independent cinema doesn't have any

they do! ...and for blind/partially sighted folks too.

Our Odeon is always advertising subtitled and audio description films.

YANBU

I've been to cinemas in Singapore where there are about 3 different sets of subtitles in different languages and you stop seeing them after a while. I don't see why they shouldn't be on the majority of showings.

I work in an independent cinema. We show a lot of foreign language films so obviously they are subtitled. The problem with general release Eng Lang films is that usually the distributors will not give information about whether there is a subtitle track available, so we don't know until we get the film (the same day we start screening it). By then we've advertised our times and (however unreasonably) people get really annoyed about watching a subtitled screening if they weren't expecting one.

If we are showing a film for two weeks, we'll always put subtitled screenings in the 2nd week - as by then we know if they're available. There are specific subtitle listings sites which we send info to - maybe worth googling/ asking your local cinemas if they do this so at least you can find the info easily?

Unfortunately we're not in the Cornwall area but hopefully that's useful info. Maybe write to the distributors as well as your local cinemas to put some pressure on?

Come to Wolverhampton, we have an entire festival of cinema / film for deaf Deaf and HoH, I think the local cineworld does some subtitled films.

deaffest.co.uk

This year there is a free subtitled screening of Tangled on Sun 22 May, 2pm, these are ussually BSL interpreted as well, which is irrelevant to you but can be interesting to watch. To be honest the event is mainly aimed at Deaf signing people, it can be a bit overwhelming the first time you are in that enviroment.

I know Sony are working on glasses (a bit like the ones you wear in 3D fils), so the subtitle will appear on the glasses.

The other cinema, which is in the light-house centre shows subtitled films twice a week. The subtitled copies don't usually come out for a few weeks after the origional release, so this week the light-house is showing 'the help' and 'the woman in black. Also they only make a few copies with the subtitles so you have to wait for them to go round the country.

www.light-house.co.uk

Talk, or write to your local cinema, subtitled films are out there.

They do for the most part. Usually it's not right after the film comes out. If you wait a few weeks I'm sure there will be one.

I appreciate your frustration. Personally I quite like subtitles because I often miss things (not a hearing problem, I just can't interpret some things! ) But unfortunately they are trying to make money and look at the fact that

1. The vast majority of people don't need subtitles.
2. The vast majority of people who don't get annoyed when they watch a film with them.

and decide that showing the films would be waste of a screen etc. It's a shame because almost every film is audio described (with a headset). I hope you find one, OP.

My local Odeon has a subtitled showing on Tuesday, so it must exist at some other Odeons? Have a look.

I'm not hard of hearing but I've always liked subtitles! I use them all the time at home unless dh starts his whinging! I think its because watching tv isn't enough I need to read something as well!

You need this web site: www.yourlocalcinema.com/

And lobby your local cinema to put films on at a regular time (yes, an unpopular one given how many people complain about subs 'getting in the way')

I'd them to have breaks for people with weak bladders too.

I don't like subtitles, but I absolutely agree with you, OP. The cinemas should show a wider selection of films, and advertise them well.

I unfortunately can't see them doing it though. They seem to do the bare minimum to comply with equality requirements, and then that's it.

Where in Cornwall are you?Plymouth show subtitled films but not very many.

Have you approached the cinema directly about this? What about your local Deaf/Hoh club? Could their members, who undoubtedly have the same issues, add their voice to yours for strength in numbers?

Failing that, I know of a number of deaf/Hoh people who've met with some success by appearing in local news article to highlight the need for subtitles.

I know you were asking about the cinema, but if you're also interested in live theatre, STAGETEXT do captioned performances around the country. Their website has a list of performances in different areas. Not ALL shows are captioned though, maybe just a couple per run.

Thanks for that notcitrus, I haven't been to the cinema for pleasure for years!
Have taken DCs obviously, but haven't been able to follow any dialogue.

YANBU. I don't like going to the cinema because it's far too loud for me. What with that and the cost it's not very enjoyable.

YANBU- I have a sister who is profoundly deaf and she is eagerly awaiting these new Sony subtitle glasses. They're supposed to be getting trialled in the UK sometime this year. Check them out they look good.

I can't resist saying YABU for wanting to see American Reunion ...

However, seriously, YANBU. As people have said, lots of cinemas do; if no cinemas in your area have subtitled showings then you need to contact them and request them. I bet you're not the only person in your area who'd appreciate them. Do you know of any organisations for people with hearing problems that could contact them on all your behalfs?

Thanks for all the replies. That website is very handy notcitrus, I've bookmarked it. Unfortunately it has confirmed that the only performance is nearly 2 hours away from me and was this morning :) but I'll keep an eye on it for future.

I have contacted the local cinemas and am waiting to see what they say. Interestingly having selected Cornwall and all films on that website, there was only one listing. One film at one cinema and it was back in April.

I think the problem is that we don't have any of the big chain cinemas down here so we don't get the same opportunities that they offer. I hope that they don't go solely down the route of glasses though and stop doing normal subtitled shows as I wear glasses and cinema glasses over normal glasses just doesn't work.

YANBU it would be good if they did.

I have a feeling that it tends not to be standard because subtitles get on peoples nerves.

It's a shame you have to miss out on a trip to the cinema, OP.

How long did you try hearing aids for? If you're not used to them they take some getting used to and the sound can be quite odd for a while until your ears get used to it. Have you thought about trying them again?