SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
The Cannes Film Festival is taking a stand against Netflix. Responding to a rumor that the streaming service's Okja, directed by Bong Joon Ho, and The Meyerowitz Stories, directed by Noah Baumbach, would be excluded from awards consideration after being included in the Competition lineup, the festival released a statement clarifying and adjusting its positioning going forward. The short version: From now on, if you want to compete at Cannes, your movie had better be released in French movie theaters—not just online.
There has long been a point of tension between Cannes and Netflix, to the extent where the inclusion of Okja and The Meyerowitz Stories came as a bit of a surprise. Netflix films had previously been snubbed and festival officials had advocated for "discouraging" the streaming service's online-first approach to release. The two movies included in Cannes' lineup this year are slated for theatrical bows stateside, but according to the festival's official statement, "no agreement has been reached" to get the moves into French cinemas and the effort to reach one was made "in vain." However, the statement does clarify that this rule goes into effect next year, so Okja and The Meyerowitz Stories will remain in competition and eligible for the Palme d'Or.
Seems the Cannes Film Festival is less about film and more about an outdated business model.
(Score: 2) by AthanasiusKircher on Saturday May 13 2017, @08:57PM (1 child)
I just noted this above, but the conflict is actually about the 36-month moratorium on streaming that threatrical releases are required to observe according to French law. Obviously Cannes still gets to determine its own rules, but Netflix's business model in supporting these films works less well if they have to wait 3 years to stream their own content again. Whether that request is "reasonable" or not likely depends on how much you want to insist on preserving traditional theatre experience by having a legally-required extended period before films can be available in other ways.
(Score: 2) by edIII on Saturday May 13 2017, @10:09PM
Oooooooohhhh. Yeah, Netflix ain't showing the film in a French theater. I entirely understand their recalcitrance if the implication is also that it affects streaming services in France. I would imagine if they are that crazy to control it they would.
A possible compromise would be to ferry viewers out past the island into international waters. I'm sure they could borrow a yacht or something to setup a floating movie theater.
Ten times better if they staged a mock attack by actual pirates at sea :)
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.