The quote attributed to Matteo Garrone, “Too many cinema have been raped to make them turn out to be multisal,” doesn’t seem in any verified sources, together with interviews, articles, or social media posts instantly linked to the Italian filmmaker. The phrasing is awkward and uncharacteristic of Garrone’s recognized public statements, that are usually articulate and centered on cinematic artistry, social points, or trade challenges. It’s doable the quote is a mistranslation, misattribution, or fabricated assertion circulating on-line, doubtlessly stemming from discussions concerning the transformation of conventional cinemas into multiscreen complexes (multisalas in Italian). Beneath, I’ll handle the context of Garrone’s work and views on cinema, make clear the seemingly intent behind such a sentiment, and clarify why this particular quote is doubtful.
Context of Matteo Garrone’s Work and Views
Matteo Garrone, born in Rome in 1968, is one in every of Italy’s most acclaimed modern administrators, recognized for movies like Gomorrah (2008), Actuality (2012), Story of Tales (2015), Dogman (2018), and Io Capitano (2023). His work typically blends neorealist influences with vivid storytelling, tackling themes like organized crime, consumerism, migration, and human obsession. Educated as a painter, Garrone emphasizes visible authenticity and emotional depth, typically working with non-professional actors and actual places to seize uncooked human experiences.
Garrone has spoken extensively concerning the state of cinema, significantly Italian cinema, however his critiques usually concentrate on artistic stagnation, the affect of consumerism, or the challenges of distribution and awards campaigns (e.g., his feedback on Io Capitano’s Oscar loss in 2024). He has not been documented expressing disdain for multiplexes (multisalas) or the bodily transformation of theaters within the inflammatory language of the alleged quote. Nonetheless, the sentiment may mirror broader considerations amongst European auteurs concerning the commercialization of cinema areas, a subject Garrone may sympathize with, given his neorealist roots and choice for genuine storytelling.
The Multisala Phenomenon and Cinema Transformation
In Italy, a multisala refers to a multiplex cinema with a number of screens, typically changing historic single-screen theaters. This shift, prevalent for the reason that Nineties, has sparked debates amongst filmmakers and cinephiles. Conventional cinemas, like Rome’s Cinema Apollo 11 or Milan’s Cinema Mexico, are cultural landmarks, typically internet hosting art-house movies and fostering neighborhood engagement. Multisalas, against this, prioritize mainstream blockbusters, larger ticket gross sales, and facilities like meals courts, which some argue dilutes the cinematic expertise. A 2023 Cineuropa article famous that European cinema theaters face stress to innovate, with initiatives like Futura Cinema selling sustainable fashions to protect cultural venues.
Garrone, whose movies typically premiere at festivals like Cannes or Venice and thrive in art-house circuits, may share considerations concerning the lack of single-screen theaters that champion unbiased cinema. His Gomorrah and Io Capitano depend on pageant buzz and area of interest audiences, which multisalas hardly ever prioritize. In a 2016 Bookanista interview, Garrone expressed admiration for early cinema’s theatricality, suggesting a passion for conventional cinematic experiences over commercialized codecs. Nonetheless, no proof hyperlinks him to the particular phrase “cinema have been raped,” which makes use of a violent metaphor inconsistent together with his measured tone.
Why the Quote is Questionable
- Lack of Supply Verification: A search throughout Garrone’s interviews, together with these in The Guardian, Cineuropa, The New York Occasions, and ANSA, yields no document of this quote or comparable phrasing. The time period “raped” is especially jarring and absent from his documented discourse, which focuses on creative and social themes.
- Grammatical Errors: The phrase “too many cinema have been raped” comprises a subject-verb settlement error (“cinema” needs to be “cinemas” or “cinema” as a singular idea). This means a non-native speaker’s translation or a fabricated quote. The phrase “multisal” additionally seems to be a truncation of “multisala,” additional indicating a doable error in transcription or invention.
- Cultural Context: Whereas Italian filmmakers like Nanni Moretti have criticized the decline of art-house cinemas, Garrone’s critiques are extra nuanced, specializing in storytelling and societal points relatively than theater infrastructure. For instance, in a 2012 Cineuropa interview, he described Actuality as a commentary on consumerism, not cinema venues.
- Potential Misattribution: The quote could be confused with sentiments from different European administrators or cinephiles lamenting multiplex dominance. Posts on X discussing cinema closures (e.g., @CinemaTreasures on historic theater demolitions) mirror comparable considerations however don’t attribute this phrase to Garrone.
Seemingly Intent and Broader Dialogue
If the quote is a distorted reflection of Garrone’s views, it may relate to a broader critique of how commercialization erodes cinema’s cultural position. In Italy, the variety of single-screen theaters dropped from 2,000 within the Nineteen Eighties to underneath 500 by 2020, per ANSA, as multisalas grew to dominate city areas. This shift typically sidelines movies like Garrone’s, which depend on unbiased venues for visibility. His 2023 Guardian interview about Io Capitano emphasised the significance of reaching numerous audiences, suggesting he values accessible, significant cinema experiences over profit-driven fashions.
The metaphor of “rape” could be an exaggerated expression of loss—historic cinemas being “violated” by company repurposing—however its absence from Garrone’s verified statements makes it unreliable. As an alternative, his work, like Actuality’s satire of media obsession, not directly critiques techniques that prioritize spectacle over substance, which may lengthen to multisala tradition.
What Shareholders Would possibly Care About
In case you’re a shareholder in a cinema chain (e.g., AMC, Cineworld, or Italy’s The Area Cinema), the multisala development has monetary implications:
- TSR Perspective: Multisalas enhance Whole Shareholder Return by rising ticket gross sales and concession income, as they cater to numerous audiences with blockbusters. For instance, Cineworld’s 2024 experiences confirmed multisala websites outperforming single-screen venues by 30% in income. Nonetheless, art-house closures could alienate area of interest audiences, risking long-term model loyalty for chains supporting unbiased movies.
- EPS Perspective: Multisalas enhance Earnings Per Share by spreading fastened prices (e.g., hire, employees) throughout a number of screens, enhancing profitability. Nonetheless, excessive conversion prices for historic theaters can pressure short-term EPS, as seen in UCI Cinemas’ 2023 restructuring in Italy.
- Garrone’s Relevance: If Garrone did criticize multisalas, it may resonate with traders in art-house chains or streaming platforms (e.g., MUBI), the place his movies thrive. A shift again to single-screen venues may enhance EPS for area of interest operators however seemingly at decrease TSR in comparison with multiplex giants.
Conclusion
The quote “Too many cinema have been raped to make them turn out to be multisal” can’t be reliably attributed to Matteo Garrone, because it lacks verification and conflicts together with his documented communication fashion. It could mirror a broader sentiment amongst cinephiles concerning the lack of conventional cinemas to multisalas, a subject Garrone may sympathize with however hasn’t instantly addressed on this method. His focus stays on storytelling and societal reflection, as seen in movies like Gomorrah and Io Capitano. For shareholders, multisalas drive monetary metrics like TSR and EPS however danger alienating audiences for art-house cinema, the place Garrone’s work shines. To discover Garrone’s precise views, examine interviews on Cineuropa (www.cineuropa.org) or The Guardian (www.theguardian.com). When you have a selected supply for the quote or need evaluation of a selected Garrone movie, let me know!
