The move raised a few eyebrows across the movie world, but the fallout by Netflix's move is starting to pile up. As predicted, Netflix are planning a day-and-date release - essentially, the film will be screened in cinemas and released on Netflix on the same day.
This is a move that many cinema chains feared when Netflix entered the film business, bypassing cinema houses completely by making the film available to home audiences at the same time as a cinema.
US cinema chains AMC, Regal and Carmike have said that they will refuse to screen the film because of Netflix's decision to release the film simultaneously on their VOD service.
Keep in mind that Beasts Of No Nation is already considered an early favourite for next year's Oscars. If Netflix wants to enter that race, the film will have to be screened in cinemas for it to be considered.
Although AMC, Regal and Carmike are considered the bigger cinema chains in the US, it's been confirmed that indie cinema chain Alama Drafthouse will screen the film.
Alamo Drafthouse were involved in the debacle surrounding The Interview's release in cinemas; they offered to screen the film, despite Sony refusing to release the film due to security concerns.
It's an interesting topic, to say the least. Netflix are clearly trying to force their way into the film business, even throwing their hat into the Oscars race with this and the Jamie Dornan-starring Jadotville.
Whether the established movie houses and cinema chains will take this lying down is another story, but it's going to make for an interesting few months, to say the least.
Via Variety
