Almost two months ago, Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg inadvertently became the face of a movement. After reports started to surface that the Academy would be potentially listening to arguments from its members, led by Spielberg, about Oscar rules changes regarding Netflix, the director became the name associated with everything anti-streaming. But now that the Academy has decided to not change the rules, and it appears the whole Spielberg involvement was a little overstated, the filmmaker is coming forward to set straight his thoughts on streaming.
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You may remember that in March, as mentioned, it was reported that Spielberg was going to lead the conversation that would somehow prevent Netflix from qualifying for Oscars. This report, combined with previous statements made by the director where he said that streaming movies are “TV movies,” led many to believe that the filmmaker was an old man yelling at the young kids and their new-fangled technology. But according to an email sent to the New York Times, that’s not the case. Well, not completely.
“I want people to find their entertainment in any form or fashion that suits them,” Spielberg said. “Big screen, small screen — what really matters to me is a great story and everyone should have access to great stories.”
He continued, “However, I feel people need to have the opportunity to leave the safe and familiar of their lives and go to a place where they can sit in the company of others and have a shared experience — cry together, laugh together, be afraid together — so that when it’s over they might feel a little less like strangers. I want to see the survival of movie theaters. I want the theatrical experience to remain relevant in our culture.”
This statement does little to quell the talk of Spielberg being anti-streaming, even though he’s been attached to Apple’s upcoming TV service. Instead, it just furthers his argument that the rise of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Disney+, Apple, and many, many more, are somehow threatening the existence of theaters. No matter what data is released that proves otherwise, Spielberg, along with other filmmakers, are firmly in the camp that thinks that movie theaters are on the brink of extinction.
Basically, this argument still has a long way to go before it’s ultimately resolved. But if you agree with Spielberg, perhaps the best thing you can do is visit your local multiplex or arthouse. That way, you at least prove that the future can have both streaming and the big screen.