It will forever be a subject that divides
THE State Cinema has penned an open letter to Hobart, explaining it has decided to screen controversial Port Arthur film Nitram in “select sessions”.
The move comes after the North Hobart cinema declined to screen the film on Thursday, the first day of its expected Hobart – and Australia-wide – season.
The Mercury attempted to contact both the State Cinema and its owners, Reading Cinema, for comment, with the cinema confirming no screenings had been scheduled.
But by the day’s end, the cinema had relisted the film on its website with a coming soon date of October 14, with an open letter to “Dear Hobart” from the State Cinema team.
“Dear Hobart, we understand that there will be those who feel it is important they have the opportunity to view the film Nitram and engage in the discussion around it, as well as those who do not wish to engage with the film or have it imposed on their lives,” the letter read.
“For this reason, we have made the decision to play the film on select sessions for those who wish to see the film for themselves and to understand the approach of the filmmakers in dealing with this tragic subject.”
The cinema said it would make “a commitment to our community not to promote the film” via traditional advertising such as trailers played in other sessions or posters placed on premises.
The letter continued the team had given the topic “careful consideration” following community feedback and consultation with the filmmaking team, and believed “this to be the best outcome to serve the varied community interests”.
Former State Cinema owner John Kelly told the Mercury he most likely would have screened the film.
“Without having seen the film, the first thing I always do is preview a film and make a selection on that,” he said.
“From what I understand and have been told about the film, seeing as it’s not gratuitously violent and the main thing being is it doesn’t glorify (the gunman), I most likely would have screened it.”
He said the cinema had screened many controversial films over the years, including director Justin Kurzel’s film Snowtown, which told the story of serial killer John Bunting.
“While I appreciate it’s controversial, that’s what cinema is about – it’s a mirror to society’s values and reflects to us who we are and where we are at any point,” he said.
“There’s a lot of controversial films and the State shows a lot of those. There’s always going to be a lot of people who don’t agree or don’t like a film, but the bottom line is they don’t have to buy a ticket and see the film either.”
Nitram will also be available to stream on Stan at a yet-to-be-determined date later this year. The film has generated massive controversy, with many Tasmanians expressing outrage it could sensationalise the 1996 massacre or contribute to the gunman’s “legacy”.
WHILE I APPRECIATE IT’S CONTROVERSIAL, THAT’S WHAT CINEMA IS ABOUT – IT’S A MIRROR TO SOCIETY’S VALUES.
JOHN KELLY, FORMER OWNER, STATE CINEMA