Renowned director Sean Baker has called on filmmakers to defend the theatrical experience in light of the recent Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros., which includes its film and television divisions, as well as HBO and HBO Max. Speaking at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, where he serves as head of the international jury, Baker urged industry professionals to “put our foot down” against reducing theatrical release windows.
Baker emphasized that while it is too early to assess the long-term effects of the merger, the integrity of cinema’s traditional release model must be preserved. “We should not be reducing theatrical windows — we should be expanding them,” he stated. “This is how the filmmaker wants you to see their film. Everybody else can wait for it.” He revealed his intention to advocate for a minimum of a 100-day theatrical window for his upcoming project, underscoring that direct-to-streaming releases can diminish the significance of a film. “The theatrical experience elevates it,” he added.
Preserving the Cinematic Experience
Despite concerns regarding declining theater attendance, Baker remains optimistic, particularly about younger viewers. He noted that the largest audience for his acclaimed film, Anora, was from Gen Z. “There’s this perception that young people don’t go to theaters, but that’s not true,” he said. Baker recounted his experiences in Los Angeles, where he often finds that young audiences appreciate the communal aspect of watching films together, free from distractions.
Following the unprecedented success of Anora, where Baker became the first filmmaker to win four Oscars in a single night, studios have approached him with high-budget offers. However, he has decisively turned down opportunities to pursue blockbuster projects. “I’m not going for the next $150 million studio thing,” he declared. Instead, he plans to continue working with a small, dedicated team, focusing on grounded stories that resonate with audiences. “The outcome was incredible — why not try to repeat that?” he mused.
Reflecting on his historic Oscar wins, Baker acknowledged that he has only recently had time to process the achievement. Just 36 hours after the Oscars, he and his producing partner, Samantha Kwan, were off to Tokyo for the film’s release in Japan, followed by the premiere of his co-written project, Left-Handed Girl, at the Cannes Film Festival. “There was no slowing down,” he recalled. Baker described receiving the Palme d’Or as a dream come true, although he was quickly reminded by friends that a whirlwind of activity awaited him in the months ahead.
Supporting Emerging Filmmakers
As the jury head at the Red Sea Film Festival, Baker is passionate about supporting independent filmmakers and helping new voices gain recognition on the global stage. “Independent film is a struggle,” he remarked, reflecting on his own journey. He credited past cash awards with significantly impacting his career, noting that such opportunities are rare in the United States today. Baker appreciates that the festival awards substantial prizes, with sums reaching up to $100,000, which can be transformative for emerging filmmakers.
His commitment at the festival is clear: to elevate new talent within the Arab region and beyond. “My goal here is to encourage and uplift new filmmakers,” Baker concluded, emphasizing the importance of nurturing the next generation of storytellers.
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