'Wonder Woman 1984' director Patty Jenkins and 'Bridesmaids' producer Judd Apatow have both spoken out about Warner Bros' controversial decision regarding their 2021 slate of film releases. AP, Reuters
'Wonder Woman 1984' director Patty Jenkins and 'Bridesmaids' producer Judd Apatow have both spoken out about Warner Bros' controversial decision regarding their 2021 slate of film releases. AP, Reuters
'Wonder Woman 1984' director Patty Jenkins and 'Bridesmaids' producer Judd Apatow have both spoken out about Warner Bros' controversial decision regarding their 2021 slate of film releases. AP, Reuters
'Wonder Woman 1984' director Patty Jenkins and 'Bridesmaids' producer Judd Apatow have both spoken out about Warner Bros' controversial decision regarding their 2021 slate of film releases. AP, Reuter

Warner Bros streaming controversy: directors speak out on the future of cinema in wake of studio decision


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Reactions to the news that Warner Bros will release its entire 2021 slate of films on its streaming service, HBO Max, have ranged from the Hollywood studio being accused of banging the final nail into the cinematic experience coffin, to the declaration that no A-list stars will ever work with the studio again.

Although, as with everything 2020-related, only time will tell regarding the long-term impact of Warner Bros' decision, it’s safe to say that neither of these hyperbolic reactions are true.

Cinema-going will likely bounce back and, like every other industry on Earth that has to evolve to survive, stars will go where the pay cheques and scripts are, just as they always have.

But as the backlash to Warner Bros' decision continues to reverberate across the industry, directors, producers and writers are sharing their thoughts on the implications for the future of the business …

Patty Jenkins, director of ‘Wonder Woman 1984’

Director Patty Jenkins thinks other studios will use Warner Bros' decision to lure talent away. Reuters
Director Patty Jenkins thinks other studios will use Warner Bros' decision to lure talent away. Reuters

Wonder Woman 1984 director Patty Jenkins will see the film she made starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine debut on HBO Max on Christmas Day, at the same time as it hits US cinemas. Jenkins and Gadot are said to have negotiated deals prior to the news, securing payouts of $10 million apiece.

"Some studio is going to be smart enough to be an outlier, and all the great filmmakers in town are going to go there, and the theatres are going to favour their movies," Jenkins told fellow director Aaron Sorkin during Variety's virtual FYC Fest.

“Because right now, if there are studios that announce that [same-day releases at the cinema and on streaming] is what they’re going to start doing, every filmmaker’s going to head to the studio that promises they’re not going to.”

Denis Villeneuve, director of ‘Dune’

'Dune' director Denis Villeneuve has expressed dismay that his film will go to streaming at the same time as the cinema. Courtesy Cannes film festival
'Dune' director Denis Villeneuve has expressed dismay that his film will go to streaming at the same time as the cinema. Courtesy Cannes film festival

With the remake of Dune slated for release on HBO Max on October 1, 2021, director Denis Villeneuve told Variety: "I learnt in the news that Warner Bros has decided to release Dune on HBO Max at the same time as our theatrical release, using prominent images from our movie to promote their streaming service. With this decision, AT&T has hijacked one of the most respectable and important studios in film history.

"There is absolutely no love for cinema, nor for the audience here," added the French-Canadian director, who also helmed 2017's Blade Runner 2049 and 2015's Sicario.

"It is all about the survival of a telecom mammoth, one that is currently bearing an astronomical debt of more than $150 billion. Streaming services are a positive and powerful addition to the movie and TV ecosystems. But I want the audience to understand that streaming alone can't sustain the film industry as we knew it before Covid-19. Streaming can produce great content, but not movies of Dune's scope and scale."

Judd Apatow, producer of ‘Girls’, ‘Knocked Up’ and ‘The King of Staten Island’

Judd Apatow highlighted how the financial side of Hollywood could change forever. AP
Judd Apatow highlighted how the financial side of Hollywood could change forever. AP

The prolific producer, director and screenwriter saw his film with Universal Pictures, The King of Staten Island, become one of the first films in 2020 to skip a theatrical release and go straight to the small screen via premium video-on-demand.

Revealing that he and Universal Pictures came to a mutual understanding about the decision, he told Variety's virtual FYC Fest of the Warner Bros furore: "It's somewhat shocking that a studio, for their entire slate, could call what appears to be nobody. It's the type of disrespect that you hear about in the history of show business. But to do that to just every single person that you work with is really somewhat stunning."

Adding: “It creates a financial nightmare, because most people are paid residuals – they’re paid back-end points. What they get out of it for years and years of hard work is usually based on the success of their films. And so now what does it mean to have a movie go straight to streaming? How do they decide what to pay you? Do you even have a contract that allows you to negotiate, or is it really just up to them at this point? It raises thousands of questions, which I’m sure are very complicated.”

Christopher Nolan, director of ‘Tenet’, ‘Dunkirk’ and ‘Inception’

'Inception' director Christopher Nolan has said that crew members and extras will be the ones hit hardest by Warner Bros move. AP
'Inception' director Christopher Nolan has said that crew members and extras will be the ones hit hardest by Warner Bros move. AP

Nolan has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of Warner Bros' decision. Initially declaring HBO Max as “the worst streaming service”, the 50-year-old British-American director has now dubbed the switch to streaming as “a sign of great danger” for unions and artists.

“I’m not talking about me. I’m not talking about Ben Affleck,” he told NPR while discussing the economics involved in the decision. “I’m talking about the grips, the electricians who depend on, you know, IA (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) and IA residuals for pension and health care. I’m talking about SAG (Screen Actors Guild). I’m talking about actors. I’m talking about when I come on the set and I’ve got to shoot a scene with, you know, a waiter or a lawyer who has two or three lines.

"They need to be earning a living in that profession, working maybe sometimes a couple of days a year. And that’s why the residuals structure is in place. That’s why the unions have secured participations for people down the line. It’s a sign of great danger for the ordinary people who work in this industry.”

Aaron Sorkin, director of ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’

Aaron Sorkin has played down the furore, insisting nothing else can replicate the theatre-going experience. AP
Aaron Sorkin has played down the furore, insisting nothing else can replicate the theatre-going experience. AP

Turning his hand from screenwriting (The West Wing, The Social Network) to directing, Sorkin's second directorial effort, The Trial of the Chicago 7, is currently streaming on Netflix.

"We're all scared that everything's going to change now," he told Wonder Woman 1984 director Jenkins on Variety's FYC Fest. "That movie theatres are basically going to become, like, art houses, and that the films that you and I make will only be seen on streaming services.

“I don’t think that that’s going to happen. I think that for 4,000 years, nothing has replaced the experience of being part of an audience. That shared experience – being in a theatre when the lights go down, everyone laughing at the same time, gasping at the same time, being silent at the same time, and having the final moment of the film reverberate at the same time.”

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The specs

Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre

Power: 325hp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh189,700

On sale: now

The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman

Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870

Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder

Transmission Seven-speed PDK

Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm

Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm

Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km

What's in the deal?

Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024

India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.

India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.

Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments

India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
If you go

The flights

The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings

The stay

Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.

 

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

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Why your domicile status is important

Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.

Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born. 

UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.

A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.

The story of Edge

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.

It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.

Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.

Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab

 

The Birkin bag is made by Hermès. 
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.

Five personal finance podcasts from The National

 

To help you get started, tune into these Pocketful of Dirham episodes 

·

Balance is essential to happiness, health and wealth 

·

What is a portfolio stress test? 

·

What are NFTs and why are auction houses interested? 

·

How gamers are getting rich by earning cryptocurrencies 

·

Should you buy or rent a home in the UAE?  

Profile of Hala Insurance

Date Started: September 2018

Founders: Walid and Karim Dib

Based: Abu Dhabi

Employees: Nine

Amount raised: $1.2 million

Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers

 

The specs: McLaren 600LT

Price, base: Dh914,000

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm

Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm

Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km

TUESDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY

Centre Court

Starting at 2pm:

Malin Cilic (CRO) v Benoit Paire (FRA) [8]

Not before 4pm:

Dan Evans (GBR) v Fabio Fogini (ITA) [4]

Not before 7pm:

Pablo Carreno Busta (SPA) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) [2]

Roberto Bautista Agut (SPA) [5] v Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)

Court One

Starting at 2pm

Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND) v Dennis Novak (AUT) 

Joao Sousa (POR) v Filip Krajinovic (SRB)

Not before 5pm:

Rajeev Ram (USA) and Joe Salisbury (GBR) [1] v Marin Cilic v Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Nikoloz Basilashvili v Ricardas Berankis (LTU)

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