Between the dark rooms and the diffusion on platform, it was necessary to choose. The Amazon Prime Video streaming platform revealed on Monday May 19 the list of its projects under development and its new purchases in France.
Two of them are among the most anticipated: Challengers, the next feature film by Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino and Ferrari, by American Michael Mann. The two projects will only see the light of day on the platform and will never be released in theaters in France.
The explanation should be sought on the side of French law, according to the general manager of Prime Video France. Questioned by Variety, Brigitte Ricou-Bellan denounced the too strict nature of the media chronology, which imposes a delay of 15 to 17 months between the theatrical release of films and their availability on streaming platforms.
This provision specific to France was adopted in 1997 to protect the cinema industry. It differs from other more liberal countries, such as the United States, where the chronology, which also exists, is negotiated on a case-by-case basis between broadcasters and rights holders.
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Because the law is considered too restrictive by Amazon, the platform has chosen to skip the stage of cinemas and put the feature films of filmmakers directly online. The date of their broadcast is not known.
This way of distributing the two films should not prevent them from being screened at film festivals. Challengers, the feature film by Luca Guadagnino with actress Zendaya, would notably be presented at the next Venice Film Festival.
