An engrossing, open-minded investigation of the digital revolution in filmmaking and its impact on the creativity of filmmakers. Keanu Reeves interviews Cameron, Lucas, Nolan, Lynch, Scorsese, Fincher, DOPs, VFX artists and many more.
Stacked with gossipy, informal anecdotes and opinions from many of the most respected directors, cinematographers, editors, execs, VFX artists and digital wizards in the industry.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2012
Side by Side 2012
When Kodak filed for bankruptcy, the world at large finally understood what film industry insiders already knew. The conversion to digital is the biggest transition in film production and exhibition since the advent of sound put thousands of cinema pit musicians out of work and opened up a whole new world of sound engineering. This fascinating, intelligently open-minded documentary zeros in on some of the most significant creative and aesthetic issues embedded in the current revolution. Keanu Reeves, an early beneficiary of CGI himself, fronts up to key practitioners and elicits a wide array of responses. Pioneers and engineers of change such as George Lucas and James Cameron are offset by such forceful Luddites as Christopher Nolan. David Fincher exalts in the demystification of the cinematographer’s art now that everyone on set can instantly see which pictures have been captured. Designed, says Reeves, not to polarise opinion but to capture change as it happens, this is the year’s most informative and invigorating movie about movies now. — BG