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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Seems the Cannes Film Festival is less about film and more about an outdated business model.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 edIII on Saturday May 13 2017, @10:04PM
No, greed is what keeps them from showing it to maybe a few thousand people for free. It's a film festival and a contest to evaluate art. If Netflix is truly motivated by greed alone in this decision, which I don't necessarily know or agree with, then what it says is that they have no place in an art exhibit or contest.
If Netflix places value on Cannes as an endorsement of their quality, then those fucking MBAs are also stupid as well as avaricious. It's not lost revenue, but marketing expenses. Exposure in Cannes, possible winning entries, the latter of which may heftily increase its value in their overall IP portfolio. But what the fuck do I know right? I'm just a dirty commie and hippie that could never understand business.....
There is literally no good reason why Netflix can't show the film to what amounts to a minute fraction of of their subscriber base. It can even be argued, from the above, that they are performing a disservice to the shareholder. The most bigly of crimes in this world.
In the best case scenario here, Netflix is just being childish and lazy. They most certainly can show the film in theaters, and it's fairly awkward and weird that they would object.
To be fair, I've not heard Netflix object at all. This could be a story that others are fanning the flames too.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.