A24 has this reputation of being such a bold company but they really only tend to back indie films that are likely to have a breakout.
I do believe that avid fans of a medium should explore different voices within that medium. And, to do so with the knowledge that the powers that be in any major creative medium can’t be trusted to support those voices. But, I also struggle with a framing that implies (intentionally or not) the burden should be on audiences, in a way that could be seen as justifying a company’s decisions. I feel like often these companies fail to genuinely support different voices, blame the audiences, and then shrug and move on. Like, it’s the industry’s fault that Jane had trouble getting support for their films, not moviegoers’ fault, y’know? People who are actively into film should navigate their diets with that failing in mind, for their own sake and to shine a light on filmmakers whose work hasn’t gotten the shine it deserves. But the core failing is still on the industry itself.
Good points all around. Probably could have worded that much better if I took more time, but I’d argue it is not so much a burden as it is a joy to be curious. I don’t wait for a major record label to show me a band the same way I don’t wait for A24 to distribute a film as the sole impetus for me to check it out. Curiousity can only get you so far, and without distribution there are so many barriers to entry in terms of general accessibility and the means to watch them if you’re not saavy with that sort of thing and that is a very real problem. It’s also pretty fair to admit that these are, at the end of the day, businesses and not bastions of great art. Eddington was inarguably a more commercially viable film than I Saw The TV Glow, themes aside. The few examples I gave are all within the last ~six years which is hopefully a sign of a cultural shift towards an acceptance of these stories being told with more eyes on them. At the same time, there are fantastic artists making these stories right now and I stand by thinking it’s important that if you are serious about seeing more representation in the mainstream we should be consciously making the decision to support the vision of people trying to break through and do exactly that. The onus is not on the audience but these companies focus on what the audience will pay for, not what we necessarily deem good or important. I do think, however small, we have some power here to change that. which is to say, go see this film the first chance you get! I sure will.
It is part of the problem, but it isn't like I Saw the TV Glow would do huge numbers if it had a wide theatrical release.
They also absolutely bury any movie that doesn't get stellar reviews, so it seems like they have a much higher hit ratio than they do
i hate that saying free palestine and fuck ice is controversial, at least in the entertainment industry. depending on how much renown you have, you can really screw your chances of getting opportunities if you piss off the wrong people in power. and then there's this
nine-minute standing ovation at Cannes. I literally need to lower my hype levels to avoid disappointment lol
American Genre Film Archive GIRL INTERNET SHOW: A KATI KELLI MIXTAPE Jane also has a compilation release coming out via AGFA and Vinegar Syndrome.
According to Wikipedia the movie Mud starring Matthew McConaughey received an 18 minute standing ovation