Taking a seat at the 79th Locarno Film Festival this weekend, actress and filmmaker Olivia Wilde discussed how her recent and third directed feature, The Invite, oversaw brief complications over whether it would have a theatrical or streaming release.
The film stars Wilde, alongside Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton as two neighbouring couples who experience a bizarre, uncomfortable yet eye-opening double dinner date which exposes and examines both couples’ troubles and differences.
The film grossed $42.9 million globally and earned critical appraisal for its variation in tone, performances, writing and stylistic approach.
Many film fans took to social media to emphasise the importance and experience of seeing The Invite on the big screen, accompanied by a large audience. However, the director recently revealed how this was almost not the case when asked about why there was hesitation to get the film in theatres.
“They bribe you to not take theatrical,” she replied.
The filmmaker additionally stated that when it came to getting the black comedy into cinemas for audiences, the reality was “We have to fight for it”.
Wilde added, “It’s a bribe” and that “they pay you more” to get any releases to debut on streaming sites rather than theatrically.
“Not the filmmaker, no; the financiers will get a lot more money to go to streaming, and you can take that bribe and give that up if that’s where your priorities lie,” the Booksmart director explained. “But we were really lucky that our financier gave me the opportunity to make this decision, which is something I don’t take lightly. She could have very easily said no.”
Wilde did affirm how “A24 has been extraordinary because they really believe in the theatrical game.”
A24 is the popular U.S based independent film production and distribution company who have cemented a name and image in the contemporary film landscape via their eager attachment to anything arthouse, unconventional, distinctive or foreshadowing cult status. Their most well-known titles include Spring Breakers, Under the Skin, Ex Machina, Lady Bird, The Lighthouse, Uncut Gems, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Pearl, Queer and many more.
“FilmNation made the international deals around the world, all theatrical,” the actress added. “So all these great distributors around the planet have invested in this film being seen in theaters. So, I’m very grateful.”
Wilde’s conclusion on the matter touched upon her view that “no genre….benefits from the communal [viewing] experience more than comedy,” as comedy is a genre which has experienced being “…delegated to that second tier that really doesn’t deserve cinema.”
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