The Case For the Interval: A Cultural and Practical Staple

It’s impossible to deny that the interval serves several crucial functions, many of which are deeply embedded in our culture of movie-watching.

  1. The Economic Engine:Let’s start with the most practical reason: commerce. For any cinema, the canteen is a vital part of the business model. The interval provides a dedicated 10-15 minute window for audiences to purchase snacks and drinks. It’s a symbiotic relationship that has supported the exhibition industry for decades.

 

  1. The Shared Social Experience:Watching a movie in India has always been a more social, communal event than a solitary act of consumption. The interval is a built-in “community moment.” It’s when you dissect the first half with your family, predict the villain’s next move with your friends, or simply share a collective gasp or laugh about a major plot twist. It transforms a passive viewing experience into an active, participatory one.
  2. The Narrative Structure of Indian Cinema:For generations, Indian filmmakers have written their screenplays specifically forthe interval. They haven’t been fighting against it; they’ve been using it as a powerful storytelling tool. The “interval block” or “intermission point” is one of the most important moments in a mainstream Indian film. It’s designed to be a “high point”—a dramatic revelation, a shocking twist, or a powerful emotional cliffhanger—that leaves the audience buzzing and eager for the second half. A well-placed interval can build anticipation far more than it breaks tension.
  3. A Simple Matter of Length:Indian films, particularly our epic dramas and blockbusters, are often significantly longer than their Hollywood counterparts. An average runtime can easily stretch to two and a half or even three hours. A break in the middle isn’t just a convenience; for many, it’s a necessity. It’s a chance for a restroom break or to simply reset before diving into the film’s conclusion without missing a single crucial moment.

The Case Against the Interval: The Uninterrupted Flow of Art

While the practical and cultural arguments are strong, there’s a powerful artistic counter-argument that deserves equal consideration.

  1. Disrupting the “Suture” – Breaking the Spell:In film theory, there’s a concept called “suture,” which describes the seamless stitching together of shots and scenes that makes an audience forget they are watching a film. The goal is to create a hypnotic, dream-like state of total immersion. A sudden break with bright lights, noise, and chatter can violently shatter this spell. For a tense thriller or a deeply emotional drama, this interruption can make it difficult for the audience to fully regain the emotional state the director had painstakingly built.
  2. The Challenge for Modern Storytelling:As Indian cinema evolves, many filmmakers are adopting more global, non-linear, and faster-paced narrative styles. At Victory Cinema, we’ve screened intense films where the tension builds minute by minute. A forced interval in such a film can feel incredibly awkward and misplaced. It can disrupt the tempo and pacing that is central to the film’s artistic success. Imagine a movie like A Quiet Placehaving an intermission—the core tension would be completely lost.
  3. The Director’s Intent:Many international films that we screen are explicitly created to be seen in one continuous sitting. The emotional and narrative arcs are designed to flow seamlessly from beginning to end. When we are required to place an interval in such a film, it is an external imposition, not a part of the original artistic vision. While we always strive to find the most logical pause point, it’s an compromise on the filmmaker’s intended experience.

Finding the Balance: The Victory Cinema Perspective

So, where do we stand? At Victory Cinema, we believe the answer lies in respecting both the art and the audience.

We recognize that the interval is, for now, an essential part of the Indian cinema ecosystem. For the vast majority of Indian films, it is not only expected by the audience but is also integrated into the very structure of the screenplay. To remove it would be to go against both cultural norms and the filmmaker’s own narrative design.

However, we also believe in presenting films as the director intended. This is why the conversation around interval-free screenings for certain types of films (especially shorter, high-tension international ones) is growing. Perhaps the future holds a more flexible approach, where the “Interval” or “No Interval” status becomes a piece of information provided to the audience beforehand, allowing them to choose their preferred experience.

Ultimately, whether the interval helps or hinders depends entirely on the film itself. A masterful interval point in a grand entertainer can leave you breathless with anticipation. A clumsy, forced break in a taut thriller can leave you frustrated.

The one thing that is certain is that the shared experience of watching a film together, in a great theatre with stunning picture and sound, is something to be cherished—with or without a break.

What’s Your Take?

Do you love the interval for the break and the debate, or do you wish you could stay lost in the movie world without interruption? We love hearing from our fellow cinephiles!

Whatever your preference, we invite you to enjoy your next film at Victory Cinema. Come for the movie, stay for the experience—and the best samosas in Bengaluru!

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