Children exposed to horror film
Sometimes when we hear of the (negative) behavior of our youth, we are so quick to blame the influence of the media. When they go on the rampage, hell-bent on destruction, plunder and murder, we wonder why they are so easily led, influenced and manipulated. Seeing what my husband and I saw on April 27 at night, you wouldn't be so quick to blame the media and the world of entertainment, as is often the case.
We want to watch a movie 7 Days to Live at the Studio 21 cinema in Pondok Indah Mall. It was evident from the pictures advertising the film that it was a horror movie. At the beginning of the film, there was a notification from the Indonesian Board of Censors that the film was suitable only for adults. I was dismayed by the attendance of several children well below 13 years old, mostly accompanied by their parents/guardians. This was not a Parental Guidance film!
At the end of the film, we saw two children visibly shaken by what they had watched. I was disgusted to see the parents laughing at one child, a boy of about 11, making fun out of the fact that he had been scared. Poor child, exposed to such horror and violence at such a young age. Perhaps at 16 he wouldn't think twice before actually reenacting whatever horror and violent movies he had watched, simply because he was used to such things. It may be a simplistic thing to say, but there is a time to be an adult, and a time to be a child. Preserve their innocence and protect them, don't expose them to violence at such a young age.
I deplore the actions of parents who take their children to watch unsuitable films for their age groups, and for the management of the Studio 21, Pondok Indah Mall (and others who may well do the same in the name of sales and revenue) for allowing the parents to take their children in to watch that film. There are two points at which they could have stopped this from happening -- the ticket sales counter and the usherette at the door. Obviously the management has no inclination to ensure certification is adhered to, since both checks failed miserably.
MS. R. WAN ALI
Jakarta