Will Smith clashes with Spanish director over the importance of Netflix in the world of film

NETFLIX might be redefining the world of TV and movies but there’s plenty of people that are fighting the streaming service.

Will Smith is serving on the jury at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. (Photo by Matthias Nareyek)

THE more popular Netflix gets, the more divisive it becomes.

The streaming service is continuing to make history around the globe and has done it again after two Netflix movies were nominated for the coveted Palme d’Or at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

Despite two Netflix movies scoring nominations this year, it’ll be the first and last year the streaming service will be included in the festival.
As of next year, movies will have had to play in French cinemas to be considered for any award.

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar is serving as the Jury president at the French festival and used his position to defend the decision that will scrub Netflix from competing.

“All this doesn’t mean I’m not open, or don’t celebrate the new technology and the possibilities they offer to us,” Almodovar said.

“But while I’m alive, I will be fighting for the one thing the new generation is not aware of — the capacity of hypnosis of a large screen for a viewer,” he added.

The director also claimed he could not imagine any film receiving any sort of award if people were not able “to see the film on a big screen”.

Will Smith with fellow jury members actress Jessica Chastain and director Pedro Almodovar. (Photo: pascal Le Segretain)

While the audience applauded Almodovar for his comments, not everyone agreed with the Spanish director — specifically actor Will Smith, who is also part of the jury picking the winning film out of the 19 contenders.

Smith, who is currently shooting a movie for Netflix called Bright, used his kids to argue in favour of the streaming service.

“I have a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old and a 24-year-old at home,” Smith said.

“They go to the movies twice a week, and they watch Netflix. In my home, Netflix has had absolutely no effect on what they go to the movie theatre to watch ... Netflix has been nothing but an absolute benefit. [My kids] watch films they otherwise wouldn’t have seen. It has broadened my children’s global cinematic comprehension.”

Twitter users have backed the the actor for going up against the president, claiming his fight against “film festival snobs” was refreshing.

Will Smith is not here to play with you film snob heaux. Tell a friend. #Cannes2017 pic.twitter.com/q2hkWmZEle

— Rebecca Theodore (@FilmFatale_NYC) May 17, 2017

I'm enjoying Will Smith at Cannes just because the snobs are so upset.

— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) May 17, 2017

Will Smith's defense of Netflix after Almodovar's statement was jarring. This is messy. #Cannes2017

— Gregory Ellwood (@TheGregoryE) May 17, 2017

While some were surrprised at Smith’s disagreement, an interview with the actor prior to the press conference alluded to how he was going to behave on the jury panel.

“This is a huge opportunity for me,” Smith told The Hollywood Reporter.

“I’m looking forward to being less dumb than when I arrived. I’m looking forward to slamming my hand on the table and saying, “I disagree!’ I’m looking forward to a jury scandal.”

The two Netflix movies up for the Palme d’Or are The Meyerowitz Stories and Okja.

The movies, which star Emma Thompson and Tilda Swinton respectively, prove how strong the streaming service has become in being able to lure huge Hollywood stars away from studio movies.

The awards for the 70th Cannes Film Festival will be given on May 28, the closing night of the festival.

Originally published as Will Smith clashes with Spanish director over the importance of Netflix in the world of film