Article: Judi Dench on trigger warnings: if you’re that sensitive, avoid the theatre
The same applies to cinema. But it’s a chicken-and-egg situation. I hate content-related trigger warnings as they affect how I want to take a film in, so naturally I’m in the anti-camp.
However, I also recognise the value of protecting more sensitive audiences, who largely due to ‘wokeism’ get triggered by just about anything. This happens more regularly today in film studies classrooms than, say, 10-15 years ago.
A common feedback in the past years had been students telling me I should have warned them about this scene or that character. My classic answer still is: do you want to be challenged or be shielded? I’m flexible to go either way but what is cinema or art to you, philosophically – a world that exists inside or outside your bubble?
It’s one thing to put a trigger warning about light strobing effects that may cause seizures, and another thing altogether to state a trigger warning about something that happens in a film that one isn’t expecting to happen.
For one, it may scare people off, especially those who perhaps actually need to see it to heal through art. It also cheapens the impact of the film experience as these triggers ironically toy with the viewer’s psychology i.e. when is it going to happen, and to whom – and will it just be a passing comment, an extended conversation, or an explicit scene?
Eternality Tan 
Insightful article. I think you raised some very interesting points here. I definitely agree with you about the importance of trigger warnings in cinema. In my opinion, whether or not a film requires a trigger warning ultimately depends on its content. For instance, a film tackling a sensitive subject like suicide should come with a trigger warning. Suicide is a sensitive subject matter that not everyone can handle. Viewers that are contemplating ending their lives may be influenced by such movies.
For instance, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a film that deserves a trigger warning. The film tackles the sensitive subjects of depression, mental health and trauma. There’s a scene involving a mental breakdown which is particularly distressing. I love the movie but recognize that it isn’t meant for everyone. Here’s my thoughts on the film:
LikeLike
Completely with you on this one!
If this wokeism continues, and it seems it will, I can foresee a day when the word “pudding” could merit a trigger warning because somebody who has a problem with their weight was triggered. God help us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your classes must be becoming a nightmare. You are not alone.
LikeLike
Most memorable was a film student who got triggered by scenes of social anxiety and had to leave the classroom. That’s like being a soldier who gets triggered by… grass!
LikeLiked by 2 people