At what point does a shared community space become too far gone with fissures of differing opinions on what a social contract should be? Is a blanket social contract possible in a society that has grown to be both individualistic and easily persuaded by trends? The big screens of movie theaters are in direct competition with the small ones inside our pockets – and, by proxy, the platforms that give us a sense of community through posts and disappearing stories. Hell, the preview warnings of “don’t text and don’t talk” feel just as much of a deterrent as the “piracy, it’s a crime” clips (no, I wouldn’t steal a car or a handbag).
It’s hard to pinpoint precisely where the vibe shifts went into overdrive, but it’s seemingly here to stay with little solutions to change it. There are a couple of points that I look to. The peak of the COVID-19 pandemic shook the film release model to its core. We watched big-budget films like “Wonder Woman 1984” and “Dune” in the comfort of our own homes. People glanced at their phones as they watched, and that behavior has now carried over to the cinema. Not only do moviegoers text and “do it for the gram,” but the leather reclining seats at AMC have become transplanted living rooms. It could also be when “Deadpool and Wolverine” director Shawn Levy and actor Ryan Reynolds interacted with pirated clips of their film. While there has been a steady climb of pictures and videos shared while people are watching the movie, it hit a fever pitch with the release of the book/broadway adaptation “Wicked.” There were frame-by-frame photos, and the entire “defying gravity” finale was posted at one point.
Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu
It goes back to how social media has warped our perception of community and the impact of influencer culture, making us feel like characters in a big simulation other than…well, life. How often have you seen a clip of a person minding their own business on the street, not knowing they are the internet character of the day? We’ve flipped the fabric inside out and are experiencing things just for documentation’s sake and not necessarily because we want to. The movies are where you’re supposed to go and allow yourself to be immersed in a world of fictional characters and storylines for two hours at a time. You’re experiencing a piece of artistry with others that are sitting around you. In a world where collective importance is tied to how many followers and impressions you get, everything feels like “The Truman Show,” where even the more intimate part of our days aren’t off limits to the world at large.
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Lastly, there’s the individualism factor that has permeated through many facets of society. I learned about certain music choices while riding the subway because of a refusal to wear headphones. No doubt movie tickets are more expensive, but people have weaponized that purchase as a golden ticket to do what they please. “Yeah, I’m scrolling through my X feed with the brightness up, but I bought this IMAX ticket with my hard-earned money.” Cynthia Erivo and The Rock both gave the thumbs up for audiences to sing their hearts out. But in reality, we paid to hear Cynthia’s rendition of “The Wizard and I,” and not the mass populous (I’m sure it’s excellent, though!)
When I think about all of this, the words from Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor on Rick Rubin’s “Tetragrammaton” podcast come to mind in his perception that we listen to music. He feels that music has become a “disposable commodity” we put on in the background “while doing five other things.” Part of that comes from capitalism just not allotting us the time to enjoy anything anymore or a flood of constant music releases diluting the impact of these creative works. This sentiment is seeping into moviegoing, where it feels like being in the actual theater is in the background. Is it that all these clips and pictures are driving people to see a film they usually wouldn’t like the samples at Costco? Trailers still exist.
It’s wild that we have reached a point where we can’t even interact with art on its terms. What’s the solution? Are we going to have separate phone-included screenings? (“Wicked” will have singalong screenings later this month). Will we have to put phones in those Yondr pouches the comedians do before a show? Separate from the erosion of many of the third spaces, stripped and privatized where most of us used to congregate – mutual understanding of respect is draining in the ones we have left. I’m aware of things changing, and even that studios themselves might encourage this culture to some extent. It’s another case where living in the moment is becoming an extinct animal, but at least the downfall will be live-streamed.
Main Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
