Renowned director Ruben Östlund has recently sparked a conversation about the regulation of camera usage in the film industry. In a recent interview with The Guardian, the Triangle of Sadness director emphasized the significant impact that movies have on society and the need for filmmakers to approach their craft with caution.
Östlund proposed a radical idea of requiring individuals to obtain a license to use a camera, drawing a parallel to the regulation of firearms in certain countries. He highlighted the powerful influence that cameras hold as tools for shaping narratives and influencing public perception.
As an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Östlund urged his peers to recognize the responsibility they carry in creating media that can potentially shape societal norms and values. He emphasized the need for a critical understanding of the effects that images and stories portrayed in films can have on individuals and communities.
Furthermore, Östlund pointed out the shift from a text-based society to an image-based society, driven by the widespread use of smartphones and social media platforms. He acknowledged the rise of individual viewing experiences but also stressed the importance of communal cinema experiences.
The director highlighted the unique value of watching films in theaters, describing it as a form of citizens' assembly where viewers collectively react and engage with the content. Östlund emphasized the interactive nature of cinema screenings, where discussions and reflections on the shared experience contribute to a deeper understanding of the film.
According to Östlund, the communal aspect of cinema viewing offers a distinct opportunity for intellectual engagement, contrasting it with the passive consumption of content in isolation. He underscored the importance of processing information in a collective setting, where individuals are prompted to articulate their thoughts and engage in meaningful dialogue.
