‘Anora’ director Sean Baker says ‘theatrical experience elevates that importance’ while talking about the recent takeover of popular media giant

Filmmaker Sean Baker recently condemned the move of an OTT giant buying out a popular entertainment corporation. In a statement released by Baker, he shared how fellow filmmakers should stand against the decision. Read more to find out what he had to say. On December 7, while attending the Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival, the ‘Anora’ filmmaker condemned an OTT giant’s move to buy a popular entertainment and media corp. He also shared his insights on how the industry should be reacting to the news as well, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. He said, “Filmmakers have to put our foot down,” while adding that more importance needs to be given to extending theatrical windows beyond the traditional timeline rather than moving towards something that will definitely shorten them. While talking about what the future holds for the film industry because of this, he shared and delved deep into the importance of theatres. He shared, “When you’re going directly to streaming, or day-and-date, it diminishes the importance of a film. The theatrical experience elevates that importance. The way you present it to the world is a very important thing.” Baker also further added that people often take theatres for granted, and that this practice and mindset should be stopped at once. “We have to actually support it. Audiences have to be reminded that they will lose their theaters if they don’t go,” he added, revealing that he is planning on insisting on a 100-day release window as compared to the general 2-week and 4-week window that most films run by. The window is rarely increased, depending on the public reception, ticket sales, as well as the overall popularity of a particular film.