It’s such a shame that of the many hundreds of millions all the streamers just throw away on mega budget trash that’s immediately forgotten, that they can’t spare a bit to fund the twilight years of some of our greats.
27
SasquatchgooseMar 27, 2026
+9
That’s on consumers. Netflix did bankroll a lot of great directors/projects (power of the dog, Roma, Mank, Irishman, beasts of no nation and so on). If they generated enough streams, Netflix would’ve kept backing more and more indies. Streams are all they care about. People on the other hand, want easy to watch stuff, which is why we have so many seasons of love is blind.
9
Ws6fiendMar 27, 2026
+8
>People on the other hand, want easy to watch stuff, which is why we have so many seasons of love is blind.
Disagree.
It's now a problem of marketing. The big movies get views because they are big movies so people actually seek them out because they saw the ads for them. The small indie films either get word of mouth or they die. I've spent most of my life being sold on movie xyz, that I started Netflix because I didn't want to be sold to via commercials.
Now it's hard to hear about a project that is small but might excite me, because I've blocked a lot of their avenues to market to me.
8
walrusbwalrusMar 26, 2026
+2
I really love a few of Jarmusch’s films, Only Lovers Left Alive is a constant recommendation.
That said, this does feel like someone lamenting that things won’t be done the way they were. I think the options for auteurs and new filmmakers exist, maybe just not where he was used to looking.
2
deadscreenskyMar 26, 2026
+6
Obviously Jarmusch knows that. The article describes how he's getting funding for his current films through other means. (*"Like his 2021 short French Water, Father Mother Sister Brother is backed by fashion house Yves Saint Laurent."* Though that's probably not an option for fresh auteurs...)
For the record last I checked Cronenberg — who he was talking with re: Lynch — is also still making films. It was two old pros commiserating on things lost, not some deep statement on the future of film.
Only Lovers Left Alive is a fantastic film. I fully second your recommendation.
6
walrusbwalrusMar 27, 2026
+4
Thanks for this, excellent breakdown. I am older myself, so I don’t know about this, but apparently there are some opportunities for young directors in the area of youtube, doing short form episodic series.
Something in the under 100k per episode, which is achievable or at least more so than several million.
Not everyones favorite I’m sure but sounded like the goal was a bit Roger Corman-esque. Make a buck but also discover and hopefully foster new talent. I really hope that works.
4
GrayBeardBoardGamerMar 26, 2026
+2
And then there are award winning movies shot entirely on an iphone.
2
Lord-LimerickMar 27, 2026
+3
On a f****** telephone, to quote Lynch
3
Duckman620Mar 27, 2026
+1
Imagine how many original stories could be told with the combined budget of the 7ish seasons of the new Harry Potter show.
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