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 Question

Is cinema dead?
Context: COVID-19
The shoots of recovery seen by other
sectors of the leisure economy as
As with most other forms of mass
lockdown eased were not shared by
entertainment, cinemas had to close
The
Nervous
only blockbuster
consumers plus cinemas.
to challenge
nothing to
theshowAudiences were anxious about
during the coronavirus lockdown. AMC
industry-wide
equated to Cineworld
gloom was (also
Warner mixing
owners ofindoors(owners
Bros.’ and film distributors,
Entertainment of the Odeon
Tenet.
Picturehouse)
However, mothballing
even with no jittery
its 127 UK about the knock-on effect on box
cinema chain) was estimated to have
competition,
multiplexes in
it grossed officewere
October approximately
2020. Staff takings, either postponed release
lost $4.6bn in 2020 and rumoured to be
£17m
askedintothe
accept
UK compared
redundancy,to the
in the
nearly
dates hope
(No Time to Die) or bypassed
£50m
that jobs
takings
would
of return
directoralong only
Christopher
with a few months from closure, with an
cinemas and opted for streaming models
Nolan’s
cinemagoers
previous film, Dunkirk.existing
in 2021. debt burden of $5bn suggesting
instead (Disney charged £19.99 to view
that the business wasn’t in particularly
the live-action remake of Mulan on its
rude health even before the pandemic.
own Disney Plus subscription service
during the time that it should have been
screening in cinemas).
Context: Changing Times
Long
The influence
gone areof the
streaming
days whenwascinema
resistedandbyradio
the Academy
were the of
dominant
Motion
forms
PictureofArts
massandentertainment.
Sciences (the Cinema
awarders is of
in Oscars),
competition
whowith
stipulate
a widea
range
cinemaofrelease
leisure as
pursuits
a condition
and ever-evolving
of recognition. technology.
These rules were changed
in 2020
This to reflect
struggle the reliance by
is encapsulated on the
streaming
fight toduring
retain the
the pandemic
traditional and
Netflix films
theatrical subsequently
window. This wasbagged the top
an agreed number model
distribution of nominations
that gaveand
a
wins at the902021
minimum daysceremony.
between cinema release and any other form of
availability.
New technologyBut whereas
soundingstraight-to-DVD
the death knellonceof cinema
signalled
is nothing
that new. The
something
invention ofwas
television
second-rate
was supposed
and unworthy
to killofit abut,
cinematic
although release,
audiences
Netflix,
did decline,
Amazon
plenty
andofHBO
people
arestill
nowleft
producing
their homestheirto own
watch.
high-quality
In fact,
content
cinema admissions
that is streamed
in thedirectly
2010s hitto audiences.
a peak not seen As bothsince
producers
the 1970s.
and
distributors,
Cinema has adapted
the streaming
to changing
giants times
have disrupted
and technology the old– industry
IMAX and 3D
mechanisms.
are new(ish) attractions, programming has diversified to include
theatre, music and sport, and Secret Cinema has turned film-viewing
into a social, interactive experience. In the age of social distancing,
even drive-ins made a comeback! So, will the 2020s be the end of
cinema as we know it or will it find new ways to thrive?
“Why anyone would want to pay“There’s no denying that streaming is
£20 for one ticket and a tub of a welcome and convenient addition to
popcorn, or more like £50 for a everybody’s viewing roster. But
family of four, is beyond me. Why watching a film on the TV or, God
travel to a cinema and be irritated
forbid, a phone is no substitute for
by noisy eaters when there’s anthe immersive experience that
endless choice of viewing in thecinema offers. Going to a cinema is
comfort of your own home? Ok, not the just about what’s on the screen,
screen might be big and the chairsit’s the full package of meeting
plush but most TVs are pretty big friends, buying refreshments and
What Do You Think?
these days too and there’s nowhere
more relaxing than your own sofa.
getting lost in the dark with a great
(or trashy) film. Cinema is the only
Who
Waiting a few weeks for new do youwhere
place agreeyou can enjoy an
releases to work their waywith? Why?
onto intensely personal yet joyfully
streaming services is no bother,communal experience. There will
especially as a lot of the best stuff
always be an appetite for these things
these days doesn’t even have aso cinema will always survive in one
cinema release in the first place!”
form or another.”

What Do You Think?

Who do you agree with? Why?
Personal Response
Do you still go to the cinema? Or is it just for old
people? BBFC research indicated that teens missed
cinema more than any other group during
lockdown.
Write down your own personal thoughts
and feelings on the topic.
Research Activity
Back in Hollywood’s Golden Age of
the early/mid-C20th, grand and
elaborate cinemas were known as
‘movie palaces’. Find out about a
cinema from your local area’s past.
What forced it to close? What
replaced it? Is it fondly remembered?
OR
Focus on the here and now. How is
your local cinema faring? What data
can you find? What would the
alternatives be if it closed?
Does this research do anything to
alter your views?
The Big Question:
Is cinema dead?

Working with your group, prepare a speech or

presentation to tackle the question above.
Consider the pros and cons and come to a
conclusion that you can present to the rest of
your class.