Alejandro González Iñárritu is one of the most highly respected filmmakers in the world, today. With back-to-back Best Director and Best Picture Oscar wins in 2015 and 2016, for “Birdman” and “The Revenant,” respectively, Iñárritu cemented his place among the very best the industry has to offer. So, when the filmmaker talks about the uncertain future of the industry, it’s probably important that everyone take notice.
In a new interview with the New York Times, Iñárritu, who is the head of the Cannes Film Festival jury, discussed the major issue he sees in the film industry today — the death of the cinema. But unlike other filmmakers that see Netflix, and other streaming services, as the problem, the “Birdman” filmmaker turns it back on the exhibitors themselves, as well as the studios.
“Some of the films will only get to you through streaming services, but I think the big problem is that when it comes to the way films are being produced, distributed and exhibited, the system is homogenized,” the filmmaker explained. “It leaves almost no space for other kinds of films in the world. The easy way out has been to blame Netflix — they have been the scapegoat.”
He continued, “But my point is that there’s nothing wrong with Netflix. Netflix is capitalizing on the lack of diversity in cinemas and putting it on TV.”
The problem, as described by Iñárritu, is the lack of mid-budget features. We’ve heard this before, but the truth is that nowadays, studios don’t see much profit potential with those mid-budget dramas (especially foreign-language dramas). Instead, the big money comes from tentpoles (aka superhero films and ‘Fast & Furious’) and micro-budget features (Blumhouse horror). That leaves no room for up-and-coming filmmakers to flex their muscles in the middle ground.
He said, “I’m very privileged to have the position that I can do ‘Revenant,’ but how many young filmmakers do not have the access to those budgets and films? They have to now consider TV as their only choice.”
Again, Iñárritu wants everyone to know that he isn’t against Netflix. He describes being able to see “Happy as Lazzaro” due to the fact the film was available on the streamer. However, he feels that Netflix’s gain is at the loss of something fundamental to the filmgoing experience.
READ MORE: Alejandro González Iñárritu & 2019 Cannes Jury Can’t Escape The Netflix Debate
“I want to be very clear that I support Netflix 100 percent,” the director said. “At the same time, we have to make a point that exhibitors and distributors have a great responsibility here. We are all letting this medium die, and just becoming a franchise-entertainment park. And if those studios, distributors, and exhibitors don’t find a way forward, Netflix will eat them alive.”
He isn’t without hope though. The filmmaker says that if Netflix can work with exhibitors and give audiences the choice of how to view the films (either at home or in theaters), then both could thrive. And if the exhibitors and studios can’t work with Netflix, Iñárritu says the outlook is grim.
“That would give me the choice if I want to experience theatrical or watch on my phone,” he explained. “Just give me that choice. Cinemas are the womb of what we are, so if we kill that womb, we will all be dead very soon.”