Make films shorter if you want them shown in cinemas, says Picturehouse director

C

CrimsonSpark

Industry Insists on a Briefer Cinematic Experience

A call has been issued by Clare Binns, creative director of Picturehouse Cinemas, for filmmakers to trim the length of their films if they wish them to be shown in cinemas. The recent trend of blockbuster films extending well beyond three hours is said to have raised concerns over cinema scheduling.

Binns' remarks were made following her being named as the recipient of this year's Bafta award for outstanding British contribution to cinema. The issue of film length has been a point of contention, with some arguing that excessively long movies can deter audiences from returning to the big screen.

"I talk to producers and say: 'Tell the director you're making the film for an audience, not just for directors'," Binns stated. "There's always exceptions but I think: 'You could take 20 minutes out of that.' There is no need for films to be this long."

The comment was made after two recent films screened in cinemas, including Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon and Brady Corbet's The Brutalist. Both movies clocked over three hours, raising questions about whether such lengthy screen times would be suitable for audiences.

Binns added that if directors want their films to be shown in cinemas, they need to ensure a comfortable viewing experience for viewers, indicating that film length is crucial in ensuring the cinematic experience remains enjoyable.

The cinema industry continues to face challenges. Industry consolidation and concerns over Netflix's potential acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery have led some to question whether cinemas will remain viable.

However, Binns believes that originality, creativity, and commitment are key elements for maintaining a sustainable industry. "Anora, Hamnet, Marty Supreme were all original stories," she stated. "And when film-makers engage properly with the audience, doing Q&A sessions and working with cinemas, audiences respond."
 
🤔 I totally get what Clare Binns is saying about those super long movies 🍿👀 they're just asking for people to fall asleep mid-movie 😴. And yeah, cinemas need to stay relevant with Netflix and all that other streaming stuff going on 📺. But at the same time, I love original stories like Anora and Hamnet - they're so unique and engaging 🎥. If directors want their movies to be shown in cinemas, they gotta make sure it's worth our while, you know? 20 minutes off that film would definitely make a difference 😊. Maybe we just need some more cinematic experiences that'll get people excited about going back to the big screen again 🎬
 
OMG, I'm literally so done with films that just drag on forever 🤯!!! Like, 3 hours is already a commitment, you know? I remember watching The Revenant last year and I was basically begging for the credits to roll by the time it got to the end 😴. And don't even get me started on those two recent movies Binns mentioned - Killers of the Flower Moon and The Brutalist... like, seriously 3 hours?! You're asking me to shell out £15 just to watch a bunch of people walk around in historical drama mode for that long? No thanks! 😂

And can you blame audiences for getting turned off when they see the runtime on the poster and it's like "oh no, this is gonna be a looong night"? It's not like we want to feel like we're stuck in some kind of cinematic Groundhog Day 🌅. And I get what Binns is saying about directors thinking about their audience, but come on, can't they find a way to tell an engaging story without padding it out for 20 minutes? 🤔

Anyway, I'm all for originality and creativity in film, like Anora, Hamnet, Marty Supreme (love those titles by the way!)... just please, for the love of cinema, keep my runtime under 2 hours or less 💪!
 
I think it's a bit unfair to blame directors for making films too long... I mean, some of these movies are art pieces, you know? 🤯 Like Killers of the Flower Moon was really well-crafted. And yeah, 3 hours might be a lot, but it doesn't have to be that way. Maybe just trim off some of the unnecessary stuff and still keep the essence of the story intact. 🎥 I love going to cinemas when I see new films out – it's all about the experience, right? ⚖️ You gotta make sure you're making a movie that'll draw people in and keep 'em engaged, not just because they can't get enough of the director's ego... 😂 Anyway, I do think originality is key for cinemas to stay relevant. If we see more unique stories being told, people will come back for more. 📚
 
Omg, can you even imagine watching a 3 hour movie in the cinema?! 🤯 It's like, I get it, some movies are meant to be epic, but c'mon! 😂 20 minutes is defo doable if they just cut out all that unnecessary drama and get straight to the point. I mean, have you seen those Netflix shows? They're so bloomin' long too! 📺 But for real, Clare Binns makes a point - directors gotta think about the audience's experience, not just their own ego. 💭 And can we talk about how great it is that cinemas are trying to adapt and stay relevant? I love seeing them do Q&A sessions and stuff! It's like they're having a conversation with you while you watch the movie 🤝. Anyway, let's keep our fingers crossed for original movies and not too long screen times 😊.
 
I think it's kinda harsh on directors to have to trim their films down just 'cos they wanna show them in cinemas 🤔. I mean, some of these movies are like events, you know? You go into the cinema expecting a big experience, not just a couple of hours of watching stuff on screen 😊. And yeah, it's true that some people might get bored if a film is too long, but that doesn't mean directors should sacrifice their art for the sake of audience convenience 🎥.

I also think Clare Binns has a point about originality and creativity being key to making cinemas work 🌟. I mean, who wants to watch the same old formulaic films all the time? You need some risk-taking and innovation in there, otherwise people are gonna lose interest 💸.

And let's be real, if directors are really that invested in their work, they'll find a way to make it work for both themselves and the audience 🤓. It's not like it's rocket science or anything 😂. So yeah, I think Binns is on to something here 👍.
 
Umm this is wild, I mean, 3 hour movies? isn't that just a bit too much for some people's attention spans 🤯🍿 like how can you even keep track of everything that's going on in the movie after like 2 hours? and yeah, industry consolidation is still a big deal. what if cinemas do end up disappearing? that would be so sad to think about never being able to see your fave movies on the big screen again 🎥😔
 
I mean, three hours is just a bit much for a cinema experience anymore 🤷‍♀️. I love Martin Scorsese, but come on, Killers of the Flower Moon was over 3 hours long? That's just too long for my attention span 📺. And don't even get me started on The Brutalist, I had to take a nap halfway through 😴. But hey, at least Clare Binns is speaking truth to power...or should I say, truth to the cinema-goers' patience? 😉
 
🤔 I think it's refreshing to see someone like Binns advocating for a more considered approach to film length. Three hours is an unusually long time for a cinematic experience 🎥. It can be daunting for viewers who are looking for a more concise and engaging experience. By trimming the fat, so to speak, filmmakers can create a more enjoyable viewing experience that leaves audiences wanting more 🤩.

It's also interesting to note how this aligns with Binns' emphasis on originality and creativity in filmmaking. If directors are truly invested in telling a compelling story, they shouldn't be afraid to edit out unnecessary scenes or pacing issues to keep their audience engaged 📚. And I love the idea of filmmakers engaging with audiences through Q&A sessions and other interactive experiences – it's a great way to build a community around film 🌟.

Of course, this is just one aspect of the broader conversation around the future of cinema and its place in our culture. Industry consolidation and streaming giant dominance are certainly major concerns 🤝. But for now, I think Binns' take on film length is spot on – give audiences a break from the bloated blockbusters and let them experience great storytelling in a more concise way 👍
 
🎥😐 I mean, can you imagine sitting through a 3+ hour movie without any break? 🤯 It's like a whole different experience! 🍿 I get where the industry is coming from, though. You don't wanna lose people mid-movie because they just wanna grab some snacks or hit the restroom. 🍿👀 But, at the same time, you don't wanna sacrifice all that storytelling and character development to fit it into a 2-hour window. 🤔 It's like finding that sweet spot where everyone walks away happy (or not too cranky). 🎬 Anyway, I think some filmmakers just need to be more considerate of their audience. Like, "Hey, we get you're trying to win an Oscar, but can we maybe give 'em a 2-hour window to breathe?" 😊
 
I'm so tired of these long movies 🙄... like anyone can even sit through 3+ hours without losing their mind 😴. And don't even get me started on those "director's vision" excuses... yeah right, it's all about padding the runtime to make more money 💸. I mean, come on, directors, just edit out some boring bits and be done with it! 🤯
 
I'm totally against this idea of shortening films to please cinema-goers 🙅‍♂️. I mean, who needs a 2-hour break in the middle of a movie anyway? 🤣 It's all about the director's vision and artistic expression at this point. I've seen some of the most epic blockbusters that clocked over three hours and they were WORTH IT! 👏 The problem isn't the length, it's the mediocre storylines and lackluster pacing that keeps audiences away. If directors are gonna put their heart and soul into a film, I don't think 20 minutes out of three hours makes a difference 🤷‍♂️. And what about all those genius filmmakers who pushed the boundaries of storytelling? Did they shorten their films to fit into some arbitrary time frame? No way! They went all out and created something truly unique and special 💥
 
I don’t usually comment but I gotta say, 3 hour movies in cinemas are getting out of hand 🤯. Like what’s the point? You gotta sit there for so long you can get a whole meal in before it's over... or better yet, just stay home and watch Netflix on your phone 📱. And yeah, I see what the director is trying to do with all that extra time but honestly, can’t we just keep it under 2 hours? Less is more, you know?
 
im thinkin 3 hrs is still kinda reasonable tho... i mean what's the rush to cut it down? some movies just need that extra space to breathe, ya know? and what about all those "directors' visions" that dont necessarily translate to cinematic gold? Binns says filmmakers should listen to their audience, but like, who gets to decide what's best for them?
 
OMG, I totally get what Claire Binns is saying 🤔... like, movies used to be so much fun and we'd just sit back relax and enjoy them without worrying about it taking forever 😴. And I know some films are really epic and need to be that long, but others can be cut down a bit and still be amazing 🎥. I mean, who needs 20 minutes of just talking in a movie? 😂 It's all about finding that balance and making sure the audience is having a good time at the cinema.

And you know what really gets me? Those directors who are like "oh, my film is so artistic and deep, it can't be shortened" 🙄. Like, newsflash: just because it's artistic doesn't mean it needs to be 3 hours long 😳. A good movie should be engaging and entertaining, not boring us to tears 🤯.

I love Claire Binns' approach and I think it's so refreshing 💖... she gets that cinema is about the experience as a whole, not just the film itself 🎬. And I'm with her on the importance of originality and creativity in making movies 🌟. Can't wait to see what other amazing films come out next! 🤞
 
omg i cant believe martin scorsese made killers of the flower moon like 3 hours long 🙄 its no wonder people are getting bored in cinemas rn u think it would be a good idea for more blockbusters to be released in theaters too or should they just stay on netflix lol?
 
I'm low-key surprised by this news, but I can see why longer films might not be ideal for cinema screenings. Three hours is a big chunk of time, you know? I mean, some movies are just meant to be shorter, like a quick bite vs a full-on meal 🍿👀
 
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