Side by Side

For over a hundred years the cinema has relied exclusively on chemical process film in order to shoot, present, and preserve movies. Within the last two decades, however, a revolution in technology has seen a steady increase in the use of digital cinematography which is beginning to edge out traditional film as the preferred choice for shooting, editing, and screening films. Side by Side takes a look at the history of digital photography in the film industry, and examines the impact that it has had and will continue to have on cinema as a whole. Anyone interested in the technical aspects of filmmaking or the history of cinema will find this film interesting and engaging.

Hosted by Keanu Reeves, the film presents the viewer with a history of digital cinema from its earliest days in the 1990s up to the most groundbreaking modern films such as Avatar and the Star Wars prequels. The film is chock full of interviews with directors, cinematographers, editors, and actors who all weigh in on whether they think digital cinema is good for the industry or not. Predictably the jury is still out, but the debate is fascinating nonetheless. I found all the interviews to be very enlightening. My one complaint with the film was that I felt they talked to George Lucas far too much. I'm not his biggest fan, so I could have done with less from old Georgey Boy. However, I was thrilled to see other great directors like Martin Scorsese, who I believe had the most balanced and pragmatic approach towards the technology, as well as toward cinema as a whole. I loved being able to learn more about the technical aspects of filmmaking that I have been unaware of in the past, and it increased my appreciation for the amount of work that goes into the successful production of a movie.

Although this film didn't pull at the heartstrings like many of the best documentaries do, it was concise and well-organized, and presented information that any movie-lover would find fascinating. It was enjoyable to watch, and I feel like a much more informed film-goer as a result of having seen it.

Side by Side
NR, 99 Minutes
Director: Christopher Kenneally
Writer: Christopher Kenneally

Score: 8/10
Watch this movie if: You are interested in cinema's history and the technology behind it, as well as the effects that the digital revolution is having on the quality and style of movies.
Don't watch this movie if: The finer points of cinematic production don't interest you, or if you want something with a plot and characters.