Paramount and Apple Intervene in Theaters Adding Intermissions to Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Theaters worldwide violate licensing agreement by adding intermissions to Scorsese's 206-minute film "Killers of the Flower Moon," prompting Paramount and Apple Original Films to enforce screening of the entire film without breaks.

Paramount and Apple Original Films have intervened in theaters adding intermissions to Martin Scorsese's 206-minute film 'Killers of the Flower Moon'. This move follows the discovery that some theaters globally were selling tickets to screenings that feature a break halfway through, which is against the licensing agreement as the filmmakers intended for the entire film to be viewed without breaks.
Scorsese and Thelma Schoonmaker, the film's editor, have defended the length of the film and argued that intermissions break the intended viewing experience. Schoonmaker stated that it's a 'violation' to insert breaks as it means the theaters are not showing the movie as intended.
While some audiences are divided, with many welcoming the idea of intermissions for comfort during long films, others and movie creators feel that it disrupts the viewing experience and is disrespectful to the filmmaker's vision. A particularly contentious point is that watching a movie in a theater is different from watching a TV show at home, where viewers can pause whenever they want.
Additionally, Paramount and Apple are actively contacting theaters that have violated their contract by splitting the film and instructing them to screen 'Killers of the Flower Moon' as intended. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, theaters that have been contacted have assured that they will no longer screen the movie with an intermission.
The debate over film lengths and the introduction of intermissions highlights the evolving dynamics of film exhibition, consumer comfort, and creators' artistic control. However, it's clear that for now, Paramount and Apple Original Films intend to uphold their licensing agreements and preserve the continuous viewing experience specified by the filmmakers of 'Killers of the Flower Moon'.

The Hollywood Reporter

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Variety