Timothée Chalamet’s comments about opera and ballet are condescending. But there’s an anxiety underneath the surface — about the film industry’s future — that deserves scrutiny.
Thank you thank you for your words. This has been such a mask-off moment for both Timmy as well as the manner in which many online communities engage with art and the cinema, nowadays (I.e art’s value is dependent on how many eyes are looking at it). Thank you for contextualizing this tiring moment within the industry’s history of chaos.
He reminds me of other young men (in New York, at least) eager to “make it” in the movies, men who have more in common with MBA suits than artists of other mediums.
“As a medium tied to evolving technology and egregiously to the whims of capital, these modern threats, while not wholly unprecedented, are dangerous in ways that are genuinely alarming.” I love your writing so much.
Yes! I love the mention of Hollywood’s history. As someone who has studied/worked in it, the industry is always in a state of panic. Film as an art form vs the film industry being just that – an industry. TV and now streaming services are competitors simply because they threaten Hollywood’s profits.
Your paragraph right before the hot photo of Newman & Redford is very much my belief of how the arts are majorly viewed in states like Oklahoma, and I saw that reinforced with the training at conservatory programs like at OU. Arts like theatre/opera/ballet/modern dance in programs like that were very much directly and indirectly put up on a pedestal Above All Other Art. So this all has read to me as a confluence of issues with "The Arts" in America.
"Notably the fellow actor agrees with Chalamet. I find all this funny given how it comes across that people in working Hollywood don’t really give a shit about film itself anyway." Judging by McConaughey's talk about A.I. in the same interview, he sounds more like a sentient corporation than an artist, and like he lived under a rock during the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Great piece, Anjelica. Thank you. I've worked almost my entire adult life in movies, but spent only the last 12 years in LA. The industry is always being disrupted somehow, but as much as it is a constant, it doesn't mean that this time is not entirely unique -- or perhaps uniquely desperate. The industrial side of cinema aka Hollywood is now a tool and tactic of the tech platforms to keep us within their walled garden of (greater) commerce.
I find that people enter the FKA film business because they have loved movies deeply, and movies likely changed their life -- but they don't have a realistic understanding of the business or what it means to work inside a system. When they start to develop one, they change -- and generally not for the better. Frankly, most would prefer to use their delusion rather than live in truth. Even less want to use their time, money, labor to change it for what they initially hoped it to be.
We could have working class poet authors working in cinema (and that would significantly expand the market) now due to changing modes of creation & distribution -- but we deliberately don't have a system that helps people to develop the love that would allow them read such work. I don't think America will have our Ken Loach or Mike Leigh any time soon. Even though we've had many artist who make an early film in that realm, they jump into the arms of Disney the first opportunity they get.
They lose their love of cinema once they are immersed in a system that only values wealth, status, and power.
Honestly, I think you’re writing some of the best film criticism of our current moment and this piece is no different. Please continue to give us what we need and not what we want.
Film fails, it seems, we consume too many images on a daily basis. Whether it be still images, or an endless stream of videos, the human mind is somewhat traumatized by the brainrot of it all, and has begun to associate audiovisual media as an onslaught, not something sensual and pleasurable. Something something Susan Sontag would have something to say about this
I find your argument very strong, as I am currently thinking a lot about Hollywood before developing my argument. The observation of the industry's fears feels so on-point! I'm not sure that the American films don't engage with the ideals the public cares about. I see a more disturbing trend in what kinds of movies get the most box office success these days (and how shallow in terms of storytelling they mostly are).
I think to your point about the material crisis his comment on losing 14 cents in viewership is also very telling (for me possibly the one that has the most irritating rich kid nonchalance out of this whole bit) - this mindless instant conversion and viewing lost audience as lost money while simultaneously showcasing how (literally) laughably little 14 cents means to him now.
AJB!! This essay is so good. At the end of the day, all art forms convey information about the experience of existence. Ballet, poetry, films, cave paintings, and YouTube shorts are all forms of communication and when they cease to convey to YOU something that grabs your attention you turn away. Hollywood-style movies are losing their audiences en masse because less people are interested in what they making... as goes the poet goes the movie star. You are only as good as your last creation, Mr Chalamet!
McConnaughey is a sellout. Selling his likeness greatly diminishes his value and the good faith he accrued during his career. Remember when U2 forced everyone to own their album.
Thank you thank you for your words. This has been such a mask-off moment for both Timmy as well as the manner in which many online communities engage with art and the cinema, nowadays (I.e art’s value is dependent on how many eyes are looking at it). Thank you for contextualizing this tiring moment within the industry’s history of chaos.
He reminds me of other young men (in New York, at least) eager to “make it” in the movies, men who have more in common with MBA suits than artists of other mediums.
“As a medium tied to evolving technology and egregiously to the whims of capital, these modern threats, while not wholly unprecedented, are dangerous in ways that are genuinely alarming.” I love your writing so much.
Yes! I love the mention of Hollywood’s history. As someone who has studied/worked in it, the industry is always in a state of panic. Film as an art form vs the film industry being just that – an industry. TV and now streaming services are competitors simply because they threaten Hollywood’s profits.
caught myself staring at that photo of tennis -playing Newman & Redford a little too long my god
I knew people would appreciate that lol.
incredible work as always
Your paragraph right before the hot photo of Newman & Redford is very much my belief of how the arts are majorly viewed in states like Oklahoma, and I saw that reinforced with the training at conservatory programs like at OU. Arts like theatre/opera/ballet/modern dance in programs like that were very much directly and indirectly put up on a pedestal Above All Other Art. So this all has read to me as a confluence of issues with "The Arts" in America.
"Notably the fellow actor agrees with Chalamet. I find all this funny given how it comes across that people in working Hollywood don’t really give a shit about film itself anyway." Judging by McConaughey's talk about A.I. in the same interview, he sounds more like a sentient corporation than an artist, and like he lived under a rock during the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Great piece, Anjelica. Thank you. I've worked almost my entire adult life in movies, but spent only the last 12 years in LA. The industry is always being disrupted somehow, but as much as it is a constant, it doesn't mean that this time is not entirely unique -- or perhaps uniquely desperate. The industrial side of cinema aka Hollywood is now a tool and tactic of the tech platforms to keep us within their walled garden of (greater) commerce.
I find that people enter the FKA film business because they have loved movies deeply, and movies likely changed their life -- but they don't have a realistic understanding of the business or what it means to work inside a system. When they start to develop one, they change -- and generally not for the better. Frankly, most would prefer to use their delusion rather than live in truth. Even less want to use their time, money, labor to change it for what they initially hoped it to be.
We could have working class poet authors working in cinema (and that would significantly expand the market) now due to changing modes of creation & distribution -- but we deliberately don't have a system that helps people to develop the love that would allow them read such work. I don't think America will have our Ken Loach or Mike Leigh any time soon. Even though we've had many artist who make an early film in that realm, they jump into the arms of Disney the first opportunity they get.
They lose their love of cinema once they are immersed in a system that only values wealth, status, and power.
Honestly, I think you’re writing some of the best film criticism of our current moment and this piece is no different. Please continue to give us what we need and not what we want.
I agree. She must be protected at all costs.
Film fails, it seems, we consume too many images on a daily basis. Whether it be still images, or an endless stream of videos, the human mind is somewhat traumatized by the brainrot of it all, and has begun to associate audiovisual media as an onslaught, not something sensual and pleasurable. Something something Susan Sontag would have something to say about this
I find your argument very strong, as I am currently thinking a lot about Hollywood before developing my argument. The observation of the industry's fears feels so on-point! I'm not sure that the American films don't engage with the ideals the public cares about. I see a more disturbing trend in what kinds of movies get the most box office success these days (and how shallow in terms of storytelling they mostly are).
I think to your point about the material crisis his comment on losing 14 cents in viewership is also very telling (for me possibly the one that has the most irritating rich kid nonchalance out of this whole bit) - this mindless instant conversion and viewing lost audience as lost money while simultaneously showcasing how (literally) laughably little 14 cents means to him now.
I feel like I’ve seen so many superficial “hot” takes on this situation, so this piece feels incredibly refreshing!
AJB!! This essay is so good. At the end of the day, all art forms convey information about the experience of existence. Ballet, poetry, films, cave paintings, and YouTube shorts are all forms of communication and when they cease to convey to YOU something that grabs your attention you turn away. Hollywood-style movies are losing their audiences en masse because less people are interested in what they making... as goes the poet goes the movie star. You are only as good as your last creation, Mr Chalamet!
McConnaughey is a sellout. Selling his likeness greatly diminishes his value and the good faith he accrued during his career. Remember when U2 forced everyone to own their album.
This is great. Thank you for this!