Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival press conference for her American Civil War movie The Beguiled, Sofia Coppola said she was in favor of giving films a theatrical release rather than an online-only release.
“A film always looks better seen on the big screen,” Coppola said, adding that the atmosphere in a theater added to the experience, and Philippe Le Sourd’s cinematography could be best appreciated on the big screen.
“We shot it for the big frame and not a phone. I hope people will see it in the theater. That experience is such a unique one, especially in our modern lives, to really lose yourself in a film.”
Coppola addressed the issue of Cannes’ recent decision that from next year all films in competition must secure a theatrical release in France, so excluding streaming companies like Netflix that prefer to release their films online only.
Asked about the differences between roles for the small and large screen, Nicole Kidman, the star of The Beguiled as well as Cannes-selected TV series “Top of the Lake: China Girl,” referred to her work on the TV series “Big Little Lies,” which was directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, best known for movies like “Dallas Buyers Club.”
“He directed ‘Big Little Lies’ for the small screen. He knew what he was making it for, and I think that’s the really important part of it, because Sofia said she was making this film for the big screen — there is a way of framing and certain things you do for that reason.”
Kidman added: “We need stories, we need the opportunities, we need things to be seen; the world is changing and we will have to change with it. I have a foot in every area of this, and I am a grateful recipient.
“I’m turning 50 this year, and I’ve never had more work than right now, and that is partly because I can work in television. I can work in films that are made to be shown on the small screen, and I can work in films for the theater.”