Nobody is saying that cinemas will disappear
Daniela Espejo of the Talent Press Buenos Aires attended a panel on the the latest trend in viewing films - online movies.
MUBI co-founders Efe Cakarel and Eduardo Costantini Jr at the Talent Campus Buenos Aires 2011.
In recent years, streaming movies over the Internet has increasingly displaced DVDs. In response to this new trend for film distribution and consumption, during the first day of activities, the Talent Campus Buenos Aires 2011 included a presentation on MUBI, a site that has been offering this service to subscribers since 2007. It was held at the main auditorium of the Universidad del Cine, attended by co-founders Efe Cakarel and Eduardo Costantini Jr, and moderated by critic Diego Lerer. Both speakers emphasized the growing interest in this kind of product among a particular group of moviegoers eager to see independent films impossible to view elsewhere.
Considering the good quality of these films in terms of picture and sound, promoters believe that users preferred to spend a few extra dollars for this service instead of watching low quality or pirated movies.
Of the 177 countries having access to the site, the U.S., the UK, Scandinavia, Russia, India, Australia and Turkey are the largest consumers. The site currently has about 2000 films, but not all are available to all countries with access. New releases are usually in higher demand, but classic films by renowned directors also find a considerable audience. Agreements made with companies committed to the preservation of the film industry, such as The World Cinema Foundation, led by filmmaker Martin Scorsese, or The Criterion Collection, provide access to restored copies or copies with historic value.
It sounds like a dream.
However, the difficulties posed by this type of viewing in the different countries where it is available were recognised. Among them, obstacles in acquiring distribution rights in some regions of the world. In addition, technological diversity hinders access due to Internet connection speeds or availability of appropriate hardware. This business is not profitable yet, but there is hope that some day it will be. This may be achieved through extending the scope to include more commercial films, or by offering the service via other entertainment formats, such as the Sony Playstation, with whom MUBI signed an agreement in November last year.
But what about that wonderful experience of going to the cinema?, wondered some Talent Campus attendants, not without some trepidation. “Nobody is saying that cinemas will disappear," said Costantini. "We are not interested in replacing cinemas," added Cakarel. This is a new alternative, which still appears to be somewhat controversial. The convenience and level of comfort, and the speed of growth of this business are dealing with the ideals associated with independent or artistic filmmakers. But over time, as these changes are addressed, this issues will become less significant.
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