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03/29/2024 04:15:22 am

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Major Theater Chains Cancel Plans to Show the Drama Movie “Beasts of No Nation”

Beasts of No Nation

(Photo : Beasts of No Nation Book Cover) Beasts of No Nation Novel

Major theater chains are cancelling their plans to show Cary Fukunaga's new movie "Beasts of No Nation" ever since they learned that Netflix plans to debut the drama concurrently on its online streaming service.

Four of the country's major movie theaters-Regal, AMC, Carmike and Cinemark-told Variety that they currently have no plans to show the movie about a young boy forced to become a child soldier in a country in West Africa because they do not want to showcase films that do not abide by the rule that there should be a 90-day delay between a theater debut and a home television entertainment release.

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In an announcement aimed to promote the deal by Netflix, it said that the movie will have a qualifying run for Oscar consideration in "select theaters"-which seemingly acknowledges that the movie will encounter a few problems securing their debut in various theaters.

While four of the major theaters in the United States have a problem with Netflix's schedule of release, Alamo Drafthouse, an independent movie house, with locations in New York, Texas and California said that despite the simultaneous showings, it will provide its screens for the drama.

Tim League, Alamo Drafthouse's CEO shared that he simply looks at the films he wants to play and then plays them "regardless of the release strategy." Tim shared that they experienced success showing "Snowpiercer," even though it premiered on-demand while the movie was still showing in theaters. Adding that he does not "look at myself as a competitor to Netflix."

Sources in the industry revealed that "Beasts of No Nation" may premiere at only 200 to 250 independent and arthouse theaters. Director Cary Fukunaga has found success on "True Detective," which immediately made him a favorite among artistic viewers, while Idris Elba, who plays the lead role, has an enormous amount of fans.

While the film had the chance to follow a traditional premiere plan, Netflix was able to beat other movie distributors including Fox Searchlight and Focus because its producers felt that Netflix has more audience that will appreciate the film.

According to Amy Kaufman, who is one of the producers on the film, "It will definitely be seen by a lot more and different kinds of people through Netflix than it would have through a traditional platform." Kaufman explains that the quality of the Netflix documentaries and shows like "Virunga" and "House of Cards" is changing the way people consume content.

Adding that "This has the potential to change the way people perceive how movies and art are delivered to them."

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