The dying art of film

Should we send flowers?

Here at Curio & Co., we’re obviously vocal supporters of the past and its media. We love getting lost in 60-year-old animation (don’t worry Jax, you don’t look a day over 30) or 100-year-old advertisements. But while we admit to listening to digital files of our favorite vinyl (current favorite: Rex Ensemble), we’ll grumble over a digital version of an old film at the cinema. (Not that we didn’t still watch it – it was The Thin Man, after all.)

So we’re naturally a little sad to hear about the death of cinema on film. Three of the industry’s main drivers – Arri, Panavision, and Aaton – all ceased production of film cameras last year, and I can’t even remember the last time I was in a cinema that didn’t advertise digital projection on every screen.

A new documentary by director Chris Kenneally and producer/narrator Keanu Reeves looks at the impact of digital technology on film-making. The film, Side by Side, includes interviews with filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Steven Soderbergh, Christopher Nolan, and presents arguments by digital skeptics and enthusiasts alike.

Of course, it makes no promises for film’s reprieve. The documentary was shot digitally after all.

I think I’ll miss the Negative Cutters most of all.