The two most popular commercial projects of 2022 are over two hours long. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever D Avatar: Water Sense. The latter has a total duration of more than three hours. Although this is not a new debate, it has brought the discussion back to life: how long should movies be? Is it possible to come to a consensus on this matter?
Three years ago duration Irish, a film directed by Martin Scorsese brought that conversation back to the stage. It lasts almost three and a half hours. Such examples from time to time get comments that say that when movie “he had half an hour left” or more time. While these ratings can—and usually are—subjective, they describe a trend: As consumers, we are spending less and less time paying attention to content.
It’s part of the logic of consumption that repeats itself in different spaces, from social media to news consumption or the length of a song. For example, it is becoming increasingly rare to find songs longer than four minutes; at least inside pop. Or read, in full, a magazine or newspaper. Added to this is the time of isolation due to the pandemic due to COVID-19. This is the key to understanding the dynamics of seeking and obtaining new information. In this context, cinema is no stranger to this issue, and the length of films is at times controversial.
Film duration
and some changes in consumption habits
For May 2020 BBC World I already foresaw that one of the major changes that humanity will go through due to the pandemic will be technological addiction. Most of my work habits, interpersonal relationships, and entertainment were reduced to screens for months. Zoe Kleimantechnology journalist, described BBC the script is the following:
“From Zoom clients to WhatsApp groups, for many of us, digital platforms have become the only way to work, keep fit, learn and have fun. Same we are more relaxed about the hours that we and our children spend in front of screens“.
The dynamics that were held in open areas before the pandemic were reduced to other, closer ones. Practices that were previously questioned may have begun to see better; or with the only ones, given that the variety of entertainment options has been significantly reduced. Thus, the demand for Deliveryfor example, online shopping or academic learning through digital platforms.
Meanwhile, what happened to cinema? The rooms were marked with “Temporarily Closed” signs. Various premieres were postponed again and again. Festivals and award ceremonies have been cancelled. Everything was tense. The one that after a while was reflected in the closing of dozens of rooms.
It is estimated that at least 14% of rooms were closed in Argentina at the end of last year. It was assumed that 20% had not yet been put into operation. On the other hand, in Spain, by December 2021, it could be read on A country: “In 2021, cinemas will gross 250 million euros, which is even less than in 2019, and Spanish films will barely exceed 40 million, which is the figure of 2020, the year of imprisonment.”
These realities, although not exact in 2022, have influenced our present. The film industry already has more viewers in its theaters and premieres are not being rescheduled like they used to be. However, platforms streaming they have proven to be a reliable entertainment option. While cinema is supported by major productions such as Avatar: Water Sense.
Cinematic experience in opposition
to home comfort
Before the advent of new technologies, the “cinema” had a different dimension. It was about wanting to go see a movie that you wouldn’t otherwise have access to. The viewing took place in an environment designed for your enjoyment. Big room. Good lighting (not yet turned off) and a huge screen to see every detail at will.
At present, although this dynamic remains, it competes with the certainty that the latest premiere Marvel Cinematic Universe It will appear on Disney+ at some point. An example of this, apart from this franchise, is Top Shooter: Maverick. movie available on the Paramount platform in select regions. Although Tom Cruise was opposed to this idea from the very beginning, trying to defend the cinematic experience over the movie experience. streaming.
The result of the coexistence of both formats, cinematic and streaming, is that production companies have their own spaces for content management. A kind of repository in which they store their projects so that users can return to them another time. Digital version from old VHS or DVD rental stores.
If earlier you could come up with an option to rent a movie, then this is no longer necessary: “they are available in one click.” Not all, of course. But there are plenty of options you can use to alleviate boredom or avoid extra spending during tough economic times. Something that goes against this caution is expected productions such as blockbusters.
happened to Spider-Man: No Way Home, Jurassic World: Dominioncontinuation the best weapon and it happens again Avatar: Water Sense. People are rushing to the cinemas. He does this, perhaps remembering the old days. One in which not only the other could not be a threat, due to an invisible virus. But in which also cinema represented a more complete experience.
Avatar: Water Sense: public
that the duration of the films is shorter?
During an interview before the premiere Avatar: Water Sense, James Cameron insisted that the film’s length of over three hours was justified. He even put forward an interesting scenario when he suggested that he would not accept claims during times when mass marathons were taking place, for example.
The detail is that during the marathon, the viewer has access to various pauses that do not represent the missing part of the series. However, as was the case with Irish, James Cameron’s approach has a rationale behind it: why do some productions do and others don’t? Is the public increasingly wanting shorter sentences? It is too early to answer these questions definitively.
However, it is likely that in the debate about the length of films, one idea will prevail over the other: if there is a well-developed story, then the length is the least important. Maybe that’s why in 2019. rotten tomatoes was able to gather a range of data to conclude that “longer films are better (and very long films are even better).”
Good productions go beyond their length. They are remembered for their history, for specific or choral performances, for their staging, for integrating these aspects and more, until they bring an unforgettable cinematic experience. It is possible that this has changed with the passage of time and the evolution of recent consumption habits. may be. At the same time, it doesn’t seem like a bad plan to be able to enjoy the features while being critical of expansion. Whether in case Avatar: Water Sense or any other.
Source: Hiper Textual
