At Cinema’s Deathbed
It has been a momentous life for cinema since its public opening in 1895. It went through phases in history when it was almost close to dying. But movie theaters remain unshaken, making billions of dollars a year and creating stars that we love. Not until it faces a threat that nobody in the popcorn business ever expected.
The pandemic pushes cinema further on thin ice. Lockdowns are imposed across nations causing movie houses to close and settle into the mobile strategy. Enter streaming, the newest form of watching films. Instead of paying for a movie ticket, people can subscribe to applications that allow them to browse libraries of shows and films as many times as they want. With limited mobility and access to theaters, streaming platforms have swiftly taken over the culture of entertainment.
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People look at the streaming trend as the new cinematic freedom which they can purely spectate in the comfort of their own beds. A study in June 2020 reveals adults much rather stream a film at home than visit a cinema. Back then, people have to wait for weeks for a release specific only in their countries, now anyone can watch simultaneously without waiting in line. It is because most streaming devices are more user-friendly and have better viewing options than theaters do. Subtitles are for one. In theaters, English is usually replaced by a foreign language in other countries. But now, this cannot be the default. Viewers can choose both English and other languages versions of the movie’s captions and audio.
Streaming may be a better alternative but on the flipped side, the loss of theaters greatly affects those who have long been in the business. Cinema producers have had to pull out some of their films to switch on streaming services. Although blockbuster films have to stay in theaters for at least 90 days before they turn into DVDs and add to online movie galleries, studios had to conform to the new strategy since the pandemic. But distributers cannot be blamed for a hasty response, shortly after claims of bankruptcy of cinema chains have been reported over the past few years.
Today, there are ongoing battles surrounding the movie business. Local movie theaters are facing a hard decision of whether to save the blockbuster or their money particularly because they are not yet allowed to operate in full capacity. Streaming services, however, are roughly becoming more competitive with each other since the quarter of 2020 when Netflix added 15.8 million new subscribers and on-demand videos came to grow.
Filmmakers have varied opinions regarding this convenient way of people consuming their works. Veterans in the field such as David Lynch discouraged watching his movies from a cellular device. He deems the experience as “cheating” and it will never in a “trillion years” amount to anything like being inside a theater. Throughout the pandemic companies like Marvel Cinematic Universe delayed the Black Widow premier dates more than one year after it was originally scheduled. Despite this, the movie ended up being available exclusively first on Disney’s streaming device rather than having a theatrical release. But one’s loss is another’s gain. Newcomers working with a low budget usually get a head start on online streaming. If their films receive rave reviews, they might get into something big, since platforms like Netflix are not limited to a specific audience.
Recent reports suggest that there are parts of the world that are at low risk of the pandemic that could officially reopen. But it does not guarantee a total recovery to what was lost during the lockdown. What comes next with cinema would be a staggering point for the movie industry to look at especially since everyone is adapting to change and embracing more affordable options. The world is becoming less socially engaging and more isolated long before the pandemic. Consumers are prepared for less interaction and more personalized services so going to movies would take encouragement for them to participate.
On the bright sight, cinema has never been as free as today. It has become an outlet for positive activism and relatable content people had never experienced before. People of color are more recognized at international film festivals and inclusivity is slowly accepted. In times like this, any form of storytelling needs to be known across different cultures and beliefs.
It is easy to conclude that this might be the new era for films and filmmakers alike. With added restrictions, movie theaters will soon change and maybe, heal. But one thing needs to be done – they need to step up their game. Even after the pandemic when they decide to reopen, something has to be improved. From better ventilations to more comfortable seats, they have to rise above modernity. It is a challenge for theaters to pursue moviegoers to come back and celebrate cinema to keep it alive. After all, moving pictures is the human art of making stories immortal.
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