Schauvliege considers noise levels in cinemas
The government will work with the cinema industry to ensure the protection of the hearing of patrons, especially children, from excessive noise levels, culture minister Joke Schauvliege said last week. It is not clear yet whether noise limits will have to be imposed.
Schauvliege last week released the results of an acoustic study carried out last year in five cinemas in Flanders, measuring noise levels in different parts of the cinema and under a variety of conditions. The cinemas selected represented the range in Flanders, from a multiplex to a small, independent cinema. They were: Cinema Albert in Dendermonde, Siniscoop in Sint-Niklaas, Kinepolis in Antwerp, Buda Arts Centre in Kortrijk and Utopolis in Turnhout.
The study measured noise levels during trailers, advertising and two movies: the animated film Ice Age 4 and the action movie The Expendables 2. According to measurements taken, noise levels were on average fairly low and never at a dangerous level, even at peak moments.
It was also found that the sound levels of trailers and advertisements – the most common cause of complaints – were significantly less loud on average than scenes in the two films tested. At present no general noise level applies to cinemas in Flanders, unlike concerts and music festivals, where new limits introduced last year were the cause of some controversy in the music industry.
In this case, the industry is “pleased to be working in co-operation with the government on measures concerning noise levels,” said Thierry Laermans of the Belgian Cinema Federation. “That will ensure a more enjoyable cinema experience.”
