Dame Helen Mirren has added her own explicit take to the ongoing argument about Netflix within the film industry.
Speaking at CinemaCon this week, the Oscar-winning star declared: “I love Netflix, but fuck Netflix.”
Her comments were met with applause and cheers from those in attendance, before adding she feels there is “nothing like sitting in the cinema”, rather than watching films on the streaming platform.
There has been a lot of debate in the film industry around Netflix’s original content for years now, but this increased earlier this year, when their original offering Roma was the top nominee at the Oscars, including a nod in the Best Picture category.
Among those displeased at Netflix’s Academy Awards recognition is esteemed director Steven Spielberg, who is reported to be in the process of proposing a rule change that would stop services like Netflix having their work nominated by the Oscars.
Last month, Netflix issued an impassioned statement defending their work, in a tweet posted on the Netflix Film account.
They said: “We love cinema. Here are some things we also love…
“Access for people who can’t always afford, or live in towns without, theaters… letting everyone, everywhere enjoy releases at the same time… giving filmmakers more ways to share art. These things are not mutually exclusive.”
A week earlier, the company shared a video featuring Orange Is The New Black actress Uzo Aduba, which praised the way they have been able to increase representation of minorities in both their TV shows and films.
Among the 10 nominations for Roma at this year’s Oscars were Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress for its leading star Yalitza Aparicio and Best Director, which Alfonso Cuarón took home on the night.
Also nominated at this year’s Academy Awards was Netflix western The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs and Best Documentary Short Subject winner Period. End Of Sentence.
Upcoming films on the streaming platform include Ava Duvernay’s When They See Us and The Irishman, a new film from eight-time Academy Award nominee Martin Scorsese.