It’s an unexpected success! Kaizen, Inoxtag’s documentary is a triumph not only on YouTube with over 20 million views to date (Tuesday) but also in theaters. The content creator’s ascent of Everest attracted over 340,000 viewers on Friday and Saturday. It will then be available, free of charge, on the TF1 + platform from September 28 and broadcast on TF1 on October 8. A triumph, we tell you… So why is the CNC (National Center for Cinema and the Animated Image) grinding its teeth?
Olivier Henrard, Deputy Managing Director and Acting President of the CNC, explains it quite simply to 20 Minutes. “The concern is that Kaizen may create an unfortunate precedent, since the distributor MK2 has clearly and knowingly exceeded the limit of 500 sessions, a limit which is the result of consultation with the sector”. And this issue weighs heavily in the balance of the profession which is already suffering from heavy competition from platforms. The media chronology is thus not respected.
Media timeline my friend
But what is this famous timeline that regularly comes up? In France, since January 2022, a film released in theaters can then be released on other media (DVD, Blu-Ray, VOD, platforms, television channels, etc.) according to a precise schedule. “This schedule was defined in consultation with members of the profession so that everyone could find what they wanted,” explains Olivier Henrard. The release of a film triggers this schedule according to a precise system that depends on the financing of the film and its number of admissions.
There are, however, three types of “exceptional visas” that allow you to get around the rule. The first concerns live shows (theatre, one-man shows, opera or concerts). The second allows you to organise thirty screenings spread over a year (regional documentaries, for example). And the last, which concerns Inoxtag but also feature films such as Godzilla Minus Onegives the possibility of presenting the film in 500 screenings in two days. Attention: we are talking about the number of screenings and not the number of theaters! Which makes a huge difference in terms of screening possibilities.
A big request
“The demand for Kaizen took us by surprise, confides a programmer who prefers to remain anonymous. An incredible number of theaters wanted it so we added screenings. Unheard of.” And the distributor responded to this desire by ignoring the established rules with more than 800 screenings over two days. “We didn’t expect that even though we already had spectators who were keen on events,” explains Gérard Lemoine, director of Cinépal in the 91. Reservations were full three days before the screening, but we didn’t add that many screenings.” However, not everyone respected the rule.
It’s not about money. Like all movies and other programs, Kaizen is subject to the TSA (special additional tax) levied on tickets that helps finance French cinema. Contrary to popular belief, it is not our taxes that feed it. “Of course, we are delighted to see young people returning to theaters, but the latter must not become a launching pad or promotion for free or paid platforms. The movie theater is not intended to be a showcase for other modes of distribution.”
Financial sanctions
Financial sanctions will be decided in criminal proceedings, but the CNC hopes not to have to resort to this solution. “We will have to think again about this regulation to ensure that the movie theater does not become an accessory, and perhaps consider more dissuasive sanctions. These exceptional screenings, which are an essential breath of fresh air and which must be preserved, must not, however, call into question the balance of the sector,” insists Olivier Henrard. This is the price to pay for the French model, envied throughout the world, to continue to function.
As for the young spectators, only the future will tell if Kaizen has given them back a lasting taste for the movie theater. “Anything that reminds us that we are here and that the theaters are waiting for the public is good to take,” says Gérard Lemoine. “A lot of people don’t go to the movies because they don’t think about it. The audience of Kaizen was able to see trailers which will perhaps make him want to come back and see something else after this friendly experience”. A case to be continued… at the cinema.
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