Netflix row stirs tough questions for cinema’s future

CEBU, Philippines - The bitter row over whether Netflix films should be shown at the Cannes film festival is billed as generational clash that calls into question the future of cinema.

The fact that the US streaming giant’s movie “Okja” was greeted both by booing and cheering at its premiere Friday showed how divided critics and filmmakers are about the new cash-rich kid on the Hollywood block.

On one side are traditionalists who want to preserve the “immersive experience” of seeing movies on the big screen, and on the other young millennials who have enthusiastically embraced streaming.

Before a single movie had been shown, the head of the Cannes jury, Pedro Almodovar, declared that “he could not imagine” either of the Netflix films winning anything.

“For as long as I live I will fight to safeguard the hypnotic power of the big screen on the viewer,” he told reporters.

While Almodovar backtracked Friday, promising scrupulous fairness, there was no hiding his irritation at Netflix’s refusal to show in French cinemas their two films in the running for the top prize, the Palme d’Or.

The Silicon Valley outfit claims “the establishment is closing ranks against us” and its supporters rail against French rules which prevent subscription-based sites from streaming films until three years after they are released in cinemas there.

Kids still love cinema

Hollywood stars at Cannes jumped to Netflix’s defense, with Will Smith – who sits on the jury with Almodovar – warning he would “slam my hand on the table and disagree with Pedro. I’m looking forward to a good jury scandal.”

He insisted that Netflix has opened up young people to independent films. “In my house Netflix has been nothing but an absolute benefit because my children get to watch films they never would have seen,” he said.

That view was confirmed by two young  American  Netflix fans at Cannes, who told AFP that it hadn’t dimmed their love for the big screen.

For horror films in particular the cinema was infinitely superior, said Kelly Greer, a 24-year-old student from Nashville.

“There are certain things you just do want to see in the theater because it gives a better effect. You’re with a crowd of people and you want to respond in the same way.”

Her friend Myah Lipscomb, 26, said, “I love Netflix. But I don’t go to the cinema less.”

That said, if Netflix and its rival Amazon make more and more movies, she admitted she’d be increasingly tempted to stay at home.

Most French producers believe their country’s streaming rules – which pre-date Netflix’s rise – should be relaxed although many insist films should be shown in cinemas first.

However, Vincent Maraval, who produced “The Wrestler” – which got actor Mickey Rourke an Oscar nomination – argued that “we must not impose our way of watching films on the next generation” who often watch on tablets and smartphones.

Amazon wins fans

Yet even for Netflix star Robin Wright, who acts and directs in its flagship series “House of Cards,” that is anathema.

“I think it’s actually really poor for people to watch films on their phones,” she said at Cannes. “It is not fair to filmmakers.”

“We (Netflix) are getting criticized right now because we have never had this medium before,” she added.

“But the movie theater will forever be the first choice for films.”

“Okja” star  Tilda Swinton, who found herself in the eye of the Cannes storm, said it was clear that “an enormous and really interesting conversation was beginning...the truth is, there is room for everybody.”

Co-star Jake Gyllenhaal pleaded for filmmakers to embrace changing technology. “I think it’s truly a blessing when any art gets to reach one person, let alone hundreds of thousands upon millions of people.”

While Netflix divides, its archrival Amazon has not stirred the same ire.

Its films are shown in cinemas before they go online, and in France they can be streamed individually four months after release, while Netflix’s subscription-only model falls foul of existing rules.

Todd Haynes, the “Carol” director whose new Amazon-backed movie “Wonderstruck” is also in competition at Cannes, was effusive about working with a platform “made up of true cineastes who love movies and really want to try to provide an opportunity for independent film visions.”

“They love cinema,” he said. (AFP)(FREEMAN)