The rise of platforms means that young people go to the cinema less
Millennials and Generation Z believe that cinema has been in decline for years Movies like ‘Barbie’ or Marvel’s are what make this generation go to the theaters
Younger generations go to the cinema less and less. This was highlighted by two young residents of the country, Cristina and Raúl. Cristina explained that «in the last few years I have gone five times, and most of them have been during the last year that I have been living in Andorra». In the case of Raúl, who is more fan and goes to the cinema more times a year, he also remarked that he goes there less and less: «The last time I went there was to see Napoleon in the last term of last year, although I didn’t like it very much.’
The two witnesses pointed out that there is more and more decadence at the cinema: «I look at the billboard because I want to go there and no film catches my attention», explained Cristina. Raúl, for his part, also has this feeling: «We are facing a rather critical scenario for the cinematographic industry in which it is seen that it cannot find itself». In this sense, the two witnesses agree with the fact that the rise of digital platforms could have been a possible cause of this decline: «The existence of digital platforms has meant that I go to the cinema less, and that there let’s all go, since I only go to the cinema if the film catches my attention a lot», explained Cristina.
Raúl, on the other hand, is the typical person who tries to go to the cinema more, not only when a title catches his attention: «I really enjoy going to the cinema, it’s an activity that I really enjoy, not only when there is a film that I think I will like very much», and added that «however, there are titles that I really think I will like very much and I will certainly not miss this one». In this sense, the film scriptwriter, Alex Montero, highlighted the two types of profile: on the one
hand, people who go to the cinema regularly and the others, mentioned above, only to see big titles.
And these titles, commented Montero, are lately very related to nostalgia: «There is something that makes us remember our childhood or our adolescence, even if it is not the film of the year. Last year it was Barbie, The Little Mermaid, or The Hunger Games. The ballad of songbirds and snakes, which are stories that the millennial generation and generation Z lived with great intensity.» In addition, Montero added that «there is even a sense of social pressure, since everyone you know is going to see that movie, which makes you want to go too.» And that’s why the screenwriter remarked that these repetitions of very well-known films, or spin-offs of sagas that were famous years ago, are being made lately. That’s why sagas like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter or any release from the Marvel universe are among the highest grossing films.
Cristina is a fan of this universe, and she explained that when she goes to the cinema to see a premiere, she feels a magical atmosphere: «It’s incredible how everyone reacts, how they shout and how excited they are», said the witness. The screenwriter, on the other hand, argued that «Marvel fans are those that every director would like to have for their loyalty».
«We are facing a critical scenario in the film industry in which it is seen that it cannot find itself»
ALEX MONTERO
«With prequels and sequels there is a social pressure, since everyone you know is going to the cinema»
/ SPANISH-SPEAKING AREA Montero, on the other hand, remarked that although he likes Spanish films, he is not a big consumer of them, which is why he sees them on platforms and does not go to the cinema. And the screenwriter pointed out that in Spain «a very specific, very commercial type of cinema is made that serves for people to escape from reality».