Dear reader,
In 2007, as part of the 60th anniversary of the esteemed Cannes Film Festival, 36 filmmakers collaborated to create an anthology film titled Chacun son cinéma or To Each His Own Cinema. The participating directors included renowned figures from the world of cinema, such as Abbas Kiarostami, David Lynch, Lars von Trier, Wong Kar-wai, Roman Polanski, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Takeshi Kitano, and many others. The project showcased short films with a three-minute length limit, in which the directors sought to convey their personal perspectives on the significance of cinema.
Remarkably, the common thread running through all these films was the nuanced, complex, deeply personal, and often thought-provoking nature of movies and the act of watching them. Cinema motivated, moved, inspired, captivated, disturbed, and challenged the individuals who immersed themselves in its narratives. However, this occurred during a different era when movies were, mainly, projected onto grand screens, largely untouched by the adverse effects of television. At that time, cinema retained its grandeur, offering larger-than-life experiences.
Cut to the present, and we find that cinema has undergone significant changes. Movie-watching has transitioned from the cinematheque to the confines of cellphones, and crowded cinema halls have been supplanted by the convenience of streaming platforms. The film-watching experience has come a long way. What transformations have occurred in the interim? Has cinema relinquished its personal touch in this new, amorphous incarnation?
In his essay, Memory and desire: How movie-watching changed over time, Rahul Verma delves into these matters and more. Do read it, and share your thoughts. We are curious to know what cinema means to each of you, regardless of your location or the medium through which you experience this art form.
Wishing you a great week ahead,
Team Frontline
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