Cannes: Joel Coen slams Netflix and the rise of smart phone viewing
The director, who heads the Cannes jury this year with his brother Ethan, believes streaming services are ruining the cinematic experience
Nothing compares with watching films in a proper cinema, the head of the Cannes jury Joel Coen has said, as he laments a trend for people "watching Laurence of Arabia on their iPhone".
Coen, who will lead this year's Cannes Film Festival jury jointly with his brother Ethan, said there is still "something special" about cinema, despite the rise of new technology, small screen distribution and Netflix.
Speaking at the jury press conference of the festival, in which judges including Sienna Miller and Jake Gyllenhaal lay out what they will be looking for in this year's competition, Coen said "nothing could compete" with the traditional cinema experience.
When asked about the rise of Netflix and the ability of people to watch films on the small screen, Coen said: "What, you mean how do I feel about people watching Laurence of Arabia on their iPhone? I mean...
"There's something special about sitting in the cinema with a big crowd of people wathcing a movie on that big screen.
"It's just wonderful and nothing can compete with that. And that's something that film festivals like this keep alive."
When asked about television, Ethan Coen added: "It's not that I don't like TV, I just don't watch it. It's a bit alien to me. I haven't watched a television in decades."
The issue of digital screening is something of a hot topic at the 2015 festival, with Netflix expected to become a major player in the buyers' market.
The Hollywood Reporter claims the company has "spread fear and opportunism" in Cannes, noting distributors are beginning to see it as a "threat".
The industry title claimed Netflix will now be seen as real competition to the global studios, following a series of deals including a $17 million pre-buy of Richie Smyth's Jadotville and a four-picture deal with Adam Sandler.
