Cinema in the Age of Corona

Through thick and thin, human beings have found comfort in storytelling. Our ancestors passed down stories to preserve their culture. When the Catholic church banned their patrons from attending the theatre (or worse, actually performing), people did so anyway. When the moving image was invented in the late 1800's, people spent their money at the nickelodeons to marvel at the image come to life. Even during the Great Depression, Americans who could afford it found solace in an occasional night at the movies. When the Germans occupied Paris in 1940, cinemas remained popular and populated, for a time, despite censorship. When the World Trade Center was attacked on 9/11/2001, New Yorkers went to the theatres.

It is no wonder that during the Coronavirus pandemic people around the world feel a longing to go to the movies. In many places around the world, movie theatres have remained closed for months. Never mind actually watching a live performance onstage. When movie theatres began reopening, some moviegoers found their way into a seat to enjoy at least an hour and a half of new, escapist cinema. Some didn't find their way, and some can't afford to.

It's alarming to think about the future of movie-going in a post-pandemic world. Anxiety around food, drink, and proximity will surely linger in people's minds and actions for years to come. In fact, it’s already happening. The blockbuster hit of the summer, if we could even say there was a summer movie season, was supposed to be acclaimed director Christopher Nolan's “Tenet.” Nolan has a track record of box office hits including thrilling stories that are at the same time escapist and completely plausible. “Tenet’s” cast is strong, including the likes of John David Washington and Robert Pattinson. Yet, the film may never recoup its losses due to low ticket sales. In the midst of a pandemic, people just don't want to sit in a seat that isn't in their own living room.

What about Disney's digital release of their live-action “Mulan?” Some would say it was doomed from the start. No Mushu, no classic songs… no Shang; Not to mention Mulan actress Yefei Liu's political statements which cost Disney at least a portion of their Chinese market. However, Disney made the responsible decision to release the film through streaming on Disney+. Evidentially, “Mulan” just wasn't the film to establish a strong, reassuring precedent to encourage other studios to also consider more studios to consider the same plan of action.

Without successful cinematic releases in theatres or on digital streaming services, some say the future of cinema looks bleak. Some ask, "will movies survive?" Humankind has already fought through so much that threatened our ability to be entertained and escape life's stressors for at least a moment. Cinema will be back. It is the voice of the people and looks more like the people every year. Even if some cinemas close, demand would result in a resurgence. The relationships between studios, distributors, and cinemas may also need to be reassessed post-Covid. However, it's only a matter of time before studios go for round two of releases. With so many anticipated blockbusters ready to debut this holiday season (ahead of awards season nominations), studios will be enticing folks back into theatres, or at the very least, their home theatres.