The film further explores the boundaries of film collection by private preservationists and piracy, telling stories of F.B.I. raids that deemed film collection as an illicit foray. Piracy is a gut punch to the filmmaking business, but can collecting discarded material and film stocks left to decay be called piracy? The filmmaker does not believe so, differentiating private film collecting from piracy.
Film Is Dead also plays on its subtitle – Long Live Film, multiple times throughout – a phrase one can observe as a twist on celluloid’s continuing presence and sustenance in the industry. Despite signs to the contrary, stock footage is far from dead. The documentary gives a concise 101 explanation of reel sizes, ranging from the classic 16mm to the high-quality 70mm, addressing the latter’s growing use in modern IMAX. So, film is indeed living long and is not dying anytime soon.
“…spectacular…”
What makes this spectacular, though, is the crisp editing work by Flynn. Overlaid atop the interviews with the early generation of film collectors and their proteges are the preserved films or the salvageable highlights of older features. Flynn’s choice here enriches his film with nostalgia and highlights an awe of cinematic history. It’s through these glimpses of old films, which also serve as memories for the elderly collectors, that help us move through time. A small sequence shows the original Star Wars opening being played on a nearly damaged stock, forming a connection between the classical theatrical experience and the current viewership of remastered editions. This particular bridge between film stock and digital adds emotional prowess to the love for cinema. It’s how Flynn proves that film shall live long in all formats and mediums, not because of film preservation alone but because of the love for cinema some people carry with them.
Film Is Dead: Long Live Film is undoubtedly catered to attract a niche audience who views films beyond mere entertainment. It does not matter if one is interested in mainstream releases only, just experimental features, or nothing but indies, as cinema is an art form whose history is being preserved for all to cherish and learn from. A breeze of nostalgia and wonder is felt in every scene and interview. In the end, all it takes is one picture to draw you into this magical world brought to life 24 frames per second. If that has ever happened to you, then say aloud with me, “Long live film.”
"…a breeze of nostalgia and wonder..."
