A Review of the Cinematic Tastes of Citizens: Case Study: Mashhad City

Among the various aspects of cultural consumption, consumption of cinema is one of the most pristine areas of research in the sociology of art. The present study aims to review the status of cinematic taste of citizens. Research have been done using survey method, questionnaires and multi-stage cluster sampling method among 410 citizens of Mashhad. Findings show that average of watching movies among citizens is five hours and nine minutes per week. Artistic values of cinematic tastes average for 69/5% of people are in intermediate level or lower. The results indicate: First, the high interest of viewers from a movie or a director is not necessarily indicative of its high artistic value. Second, audit and banned for some films should not cause high interest of viewers. Third, other factors except artistic value are effective on high interest of viewers from a movie or sell it at the cinema box office.