Movie Theaters Won’t Go Away: The Future of Cinema
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Bong Joon Ho Addresses Warner Bros. Acquisition & Future of Cinema
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The *Parasite* director shared his thoughts on the potential Netflix-Warner bros. merger and the evolving landscape of film exhibition at the Marrakech Film Festival.
What Happened at the Marrakech Film Festival?
Bong Joon Ho, serving as jury president at the Marrakech Film Festival, engaged in a nearly two-hour conversation on Saturday. The discussion, punctuated by clips from his acclaimed filmography - including “Memories of Murder,” “The Host,” and the Academy Award-winning “Parasite” – delved into his personal history, his early exposure to censored horror films in South Korea, and his approach to genre deconstruction and social commentary in his work.
The event culminated in a question from the audience that directly addressed the looming possibility of Netflix acquiring Warner Bros. and the potential impact on the theatrical experience.
The Question: Netflix, Warner Bros., and the Future of Cinema
An audience member voiced concerns shared by many in the industry, stating: “It’s in the news that netflix is going to buy Warner Bros. Many people, not only journalists, are worried that the theatre experience might disappear,” referencing Bong’s previous collaborations with both studios. (Netflix released his 2017 film “Okja,” while Warner Bros. distributed this year’s ”Mickey 17,” starring Robert Pattinson.) The question continued, probing Bong’s outlook on the acquisition and the implications of his films being viewed on both large-screen TVs and in conventional cinemas.
Bong Joon ho’s Response: A Korean Perspective
Bong Joon Ho responded with characteristic humility and a touch of humor. “To be honest, I don’t know what’s going on there in L.A. I’m just a South Korean guy staying at home,” he quipped,eliciting laughter from the audience.
While not offering a definitive stance on the acquisition,his response highlights a sense of detachment from the inner workings of Hollywood and a focus on his craft. It also subtly acknowledges the anxieties surrounding the changing media landscape.
The Broader Implications: Streaming vs. Theatrical
The audience’s question taps into a central debate within the film industry: the tension between the convenience and accessibility of streaming services and the communal experience of cinema. The potential acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix would represent a significant escalation in this conflict.
Warner Bros., a historic studio with a vast library of films, would become a key asset for Netflix, bolstering its content offerings and potentially accelerating the shift away from traditional theatrical releases. This raises concerns about the future of autonomous cinemas, the economic viability of film production, and the cultural meaning of the shared cinematic experience.