Netflix released the first trailer for Beasts of No Nation today and is venturing into uncharted territory with the movie. Not so much with the content of the movie but with the way it will be released.
The movie has the look of Oscar bait. The story of a child who after his parents are killed is forced to join a group mercenary fighters. Directed by Cary Fukanaga (True Detective) and staring Idris Elba (Luther, The Wire) the movie is based on the book of the same name. It looks like a hard hitting and gritty movie.
The controversy about this movie is how it will be released. Netflix is bucking the system and releasing it in theaters and on their streaming service the same day after playing a few festivals. This goes against the unwritten rule that a movie must play in theaters for 90 days before being shown elsewhere. For this reason the four biggest movie chains have boycotted the film it will not be shown in any Regal, AMC, Carmike, or Cinemark theaters. That leaves it up to the indie theaters to decide if they will show it. Alamo Drafthouse has already said they will be showing it. And it will be screening at few festivals before the release.
The movie should be able to secure the requisite screenings to be eligible for the Oscars but the question is will they reward a movie that just broke every unwritten rule for theatrical releases. While the Oscars are supposed to honor the best in movies but politics always play a role and that could hurt it's chances.
What do you think about Netflix plans?
The movie has the look of Oscar bait. The story of a child who after his parents are killed is forced to join a group mercenary fighters. Directed by Cary Fukanaga (True Detective) and staring Idris Elba (Luther, The Wire) the movie is based on the book of the same name. It looks like a hard hitting and gritty movie.
The controversy about this movie is how it will be released. Netflix is bucking the system and releasing it in theaters and on their streaming service the same day after playing a few festivals. This goes against the unwritten rule that a movie must play in theaters for 90 days before being shown elsewhere. For this reason the four biggest movie chains have boycotted the film it will not be shown in any Regal, AMC, Carmike, or Cinemark theaters. That leaves it up to the indie theaters to decide if they will show it. Alamo Drafthouse has already said they will be showing it. And it will be screening at few festivals before the release.
The movie should be able to secure the requisite screenings to be eligible for the Oscars but the question is will they reward a movie that just broke every unwritten rule for theatrical releases. While the Oscars are supposed to honor the best in movies but politics always play a role and that could hurt it's chances.
What do you think about Netflix plans?
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