If the specialized theatrical market is to make a comeback, it will never get a better opportunity than right now.This month will see a glut of critically embraced theatrical debuts — more than we’ve seen in three years.
These include “TÁR” (Focus), “The Banshees of Inisherin” (Searchlight), “Aftersun” (A24), “Triangle of Sadness” (Neon), “Till” (United Artists), “Decision to Leave” (Mubi), and “Armageddon Time” (Focus).All will open in limited play, some will go wider, but whatever the release patterns they represent a crucial period for the specialized industry — distributors and exhibitors alike.
For this sector of the business, it’s a replay of the studios’ make-or-break summer movie season.The massive year-end influx of awards-season titles is an annual tradition, but the current market doesn’t act like the old ones.
Distributors have become much more tolerant about creative scheduling, but this year saw a big drop in the once-reliable documentary genre.
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