Netizens furious at PH cinemas showing ‘Avengers: Endgame’ with Chinese subtitles

“Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame” stars Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd, along with producer Kevin Feige, executive producer Trinh Tran, and directors Anthony and Joe Russo greet fans at the Shanghai Fan Event!” (Photo: Avengers/Facebook)

Numerous Filipinos are demanding a refund from Megaworld Lifestyle Malls after Southwoods Mall announced that the highly-anticipated American superhero film ‘Avengers: Endgame’ will be premiering with Chinese subtitles in selected cinemas.

In the Facebook post, Southwoods Mall shared a photo of the respective cinemas that will be applying the subtitles captioned, “Watch the most-awaited next installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Chinese subtitles. Showing in select cinemas on April 24 to 28!”

Immediately, Facebook users did not shy away from expressing their thoughts, one netizen stating, “We don’t even get Filipino subs for these movies and now we might have to sit through one with Chinese subs. Pinoys, avoid watching in Southwoods! That’s the only solution.”

Another user chipped, “So ya’ll prioritized Chinese subtitles over Tagalog? Huh. We demand for a Filipino subtitle in all dialect based on your mall location.”

One Facebook user explained, “I bought my tickets in advance yesterday and I was not informed of this. I demand a refund as this is not what I expected from what I paid for. This is infuriating, to be honest. Hear us out,” while another added, “I bought 3 tickets for Cinema 2 in Lucky Chinatown and the cashier didn’t (inform) me that it has Chinese Subtitles. I want to refund my tickets for this issue.”

As a response to the negativity, the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls page wrote in the comments section, “As stated in the announcement and indicated in our website, only select cinemas and screenings will have Chinese subtitles. This does not automatically apply to all screenings including those wherein tickets were purchased in advance,” concluding, “As stated in the announcement and indicated in our website, only select cinemas and screenings will have Chinese subtitles. This does not automatically apply to all screenings including those wherein tickets were purchased in advance.”

In its official statement on April 23, Southwoods Mall said that “as a company that genuinely embraces and promotes cultural diversity,” it welcomes “all kinds of people from all walks of life regardless of gender, ethnicity, and country of origin.”
It explained that to respond to the demand of foreign-speaking moviegoers, particularly the Chinese, they decided to have subtitles.
“To our valued moviegoers who have already booked their tickets but prefer watching the film without subtitles, you may refund your tickets at the ticketing booths where the booking or purchase was made starting today,” it concluded.