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Question of the Day (QOTD) is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a film/TV-related question that we put to you, the reader. The comments section below is like the feedback box at work; except, in this example, we actually read what you write and care about what you have to say.
While speaking to recent graduates of USC’s School of Cinema, Director James Gray (The Lost City of Z, Ad Astra) challenges these future filmmakers not to chase the cash or forsake the integrity in the art of cinema that claims has happened over the past few decades. Gray tackles a “culture in deep trouble” where “cinema is an instrument for profit only” and a “system that has not yet figured out how to monetize integrity”. Here is a part of his 12-minute speech:
Look at the world and ask yourselves if making a ton of money is the answer. How come we seem so lost? Over the last decades, our art form has given the audience nothing but chocolate cake. We kept pushing for that sugar high and now the audience has some kind of cultural diabetes. What’s worse is that they might even know it. I see more and more people wanting to watch cat videos on Instagram instead of going to the local theater.
He continues on by challenging the idea of franchises while chastising Hollywood for only giving audiences what they want and not what they need. He even takes aim at the beloved Rotten Tomatoes certified fresh score.
So, I beg you, don’t be nice. Don’t be afraid to provoke and offend. Don’t be afraid to be disliked. If you’re getting 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, you’re doing something so wrong, I can’t even tell you.
Gray is essentially saying that the best art should be controversial, provoke emotion, rile people up, and not be universally loved. Movies and shows have been watered down and become empty carbs to be filler and easy entertainment. That any film that is universally loved misses the point of the art by playing it too safe and refused to dive deeper than surface level. I will add in my thoughts that he isn’t speaking on movies of years past such as Stalker, Seven Samurai, Singing in the Rain, etc. I believe he is speaking more modern films.
Do you agree with his sentiments?
While I am not a fan of many of James Gray’s films, I can appreciate his approach to filmmaking and the general thesis of what is being conveyed here. Yes, too many movies have become cookie-cutter or they simply check all the boxes that would give the film a certified fresh score from the pretentious Rotten Tomatoes critics. It does feel as if movies nowadays can be broken down into these two groups of generic “Marvelized” filler or made-for-the-critics, Oscar bait material.
Art is meant to provoke and cause a ruckus. Create discussion by tackling tough or taboo subjects. Film can help nurture an understanding of different perspectives and cultures that a person might not have access to. It can connect us through differences or challenge our beliefs. That is the beauty of cinema.
However, should every single film be some thought-provoking existential study that challenges the viewers by riling them up? Simple answer is hell no.
Look, I love me some challenging films. I can point to certain films that have helped me personally grow or shifted my paradigm on certain subjects. Or at the least challenged me to just sit and think or discuss them with others. But we do not need every single film to be what James Gray is pushing. There needs to be a balance between the Tree of Life’s and the John Wick’s of the cinema world. There needs to be fun “cheat meals”, if you will, for a balanced diet. I believe there needs to be downtime where you can just turn your brain off and enjoy the fun of cinema. Much like working out, your muscles need to be challenged to grow and take shape but they don’t grow while lifting, they grow during the rest.
In the end, I can meet Mr. Gray halfway on what he is challenging. I fully agree we need more filmmakers who create films that don’t worry about the money, the RT score, or winning awards. More films that offend (Lord knows comedy needs this) and broach taboo subjects, but we also need the fun, mindless ones just as much to help us be well-rounded cinephiles.
What do you think of James Gray’s comments Screenagers? Are too many filmmakers worried about the money and the RT scores? Should there be a wave of only challenging films or is there a balance that can be met? Let me know your thoughts below!
