I do what most Americans do when they watch TV or go to the movies, I go to get completely engrossed in another world and just forget about life for awhile. That is what entertainment is to us, a way to escape from the outside world. In Greece, the purpose of the cinema differs greatly. The same concept I explained in my post about the coffee shops is true for the movie theatre as well, it is a hub for social interaction, not independent entertainment. That is why I was fairy annoyed during our premier viewing of The Amazing Spider-Man when, in the middle of a very emotional scene, the screen gives way to some sort of animated commercial about laundry detergent and I was one of the first to wonder what in the world was going on. After calming the inner fan boy, I started to think that maybe there was a technical difficulty or that there was going to be some poignant explanation and apology for why I was violently ripped from the magical world of Spider-Man. I did not enjoy the answer I was given.
The Greeks apparently aren't as prone to sitting through a two hour movie continuously like we are, they require a built in time slot to allow them a visit to the snack bar. Once I got past my initial furious demeanor and accepted this cultural phenomenon, I started to wonder about the implications should such a thing happen in an U.S. movie theatre. I was granted visions of mass hysteria and 80's B-movie violence complete with Stallone representing "THE LAW"! It would not fly with an American audience. As stated above, we go to movies to become lost in the world of anothers reation; and to be taken out of that by an add and a 15 minute intermission would cause tremendous irritation. The Greeks don't go to the cinema to become lost though, it serves as more of a coffee shop with a show. The audience of mostly Greek nationals were talking throughout most of the movie, an action that would annoy some, and aside from the young boys dispersed amongst the crowd, seemed genuinely disinterested in the epic saga of good vs. evil. It occurred to me that the movie was more of a background effect for the people and that they were intently focused on their conversations. Maybe the dialogue was about the movie, but my guess was that it wasn't. Now, before you jump to the conclusion of the Greeks are rude because they talk during movies, take a moment and breathe. The Greeks were very courteous and respectful to those that actually wanted to watch, but you could tell that wasn't the reason that many of them came. They came with friends, they came with family and they were enjoying each other more than this poorly paced action flick. If our family constructs were anywhere near as strong as the Greeks, we would admire them for that, but instead, my American conditioning forced me to have to stifle angry shouts and "shushes".
My experience wasn't bad, it was just different. American movie theatres are dark caverns of silence and mind-numbing entertainment; and that works for us. We love it, we crave it, we'll shell out $8.50 of general admission costs to get to it. It is just the way things work. The Greeks don't spend every Friday night out at the cinema to watch the same Shakespearean script be set on a different planet and to a rockin' soundtrack. We go to the movies, to watch the movie. They go to the movies, to talk with one another, see their friends and enjoy the ambiance of the movie and theatre. It works, and aside from the inconvenient intermission, I really didn't mind that at all. Just wish I would have had a bit of forewarning beforehand. Speaking of the intermission, I really don't know why everyone was so eager to go the snack bar during the break. The place was devoid of any cavity causing substance aside from over-salted popcorn and coffee! No Milk Duds, no Sno-Caps, no Sour Punch Straws, NOTHING! I don't know what the American issue is with movies and unhealthy sweets, but that bug has not bitten the Greeks whatsoever.
Another thing I forgot to mention about my movie experience was the locale. The talking Greeks didn't bother me near at all, that is part of their culture and I accepted that very quickly. What bothered me were the damn birds chirping in the tree located inside the theater. This theatre, like many in the traditional style, was outdoors. No roof, no dark labyrinths of seats and sticky floors, just an open rock pit with a screen and some collapsible chairs. The movie had begun to start and the sun had not yet set behind the hills of the Attica basin. It was an incredible thing to see and the movie choice definitely helped me tone out the traffic sounds of Iouanou in the background. It was something as simple as an outdoor movie theatre that made me realize how far away I was from the cultures I'd been used to. This just seemed much more timeless and traditional, even if coated in a faux paint of modernity. I've been trying to stress the little things while writing these memoirs and this experience is one of them. I may not remember exactly what the Temple of Poseidon looked like in 40 years, but I'll remember the fact that I watched an American blockbuster outdoors in true Greek fashion.
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