Pope Leo Hosts Hollywood Stars at Vatican, Urges Action to Save Cinema

Entertainment

Pope Leo Hosts Hollywood Stars at Vatican, Urges Action to Save Cinema

2 weeks ago

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REUTERS

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THEJAKARTAPOST

Pope Leo Hosts Hollywood Stars at Vatican, Urges Action to Save Cinema

Credited from: THEJAKARTAPOST

Pope Leo hosted a gathering of Hollywood actors and filmmakers at the Vatican.
The Pope highlighted the troubling decline in cinema attendance and urged protective measures.
Cinemas are facing a significant drop in box office revenue globally, exacerbated by the pandemic.
The Pope described cinema as a "workshop of hope" and essential for exploring human experience.
Hollywood star Cate Blanchett emphasized the importance of tackling difficult narratives in film.

Pope Leo recently addressed a group of prominent Hollywood figures, warning that cinemas are struggling to survive and emphasizing the need for collective efforts to safeguard the shared experience of movie-going. The gathering included stars like Cate Blanchett, Monica Bellucci, Chris Pine, and directors such as Spike Lee and Gus Van Sant. The Pope expressed his concern over the decline of cinema, stating, “Cinemas are experiencing a troubling decline, with many being removed from cities and neighborhoods,” according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

Pope Leo highlighted the dire state of cinema revenues, noting that many nations report box office numbers significantly below pre-pandemic levels, with the summer of 2023 marking the worst performance for U.S. and Canadian multiplexes since 1981, outside of pandemic-related shutdowns. He termed cinema a vital "workshop of hope," especially in an era characterized by digital overload and uncertainty, according to The Jakarta Post.

Reuters, South China Morning Post, and The Jakarta Post.

The Pope further cautioned against the digital culture's tendency to reduce narratives to predictable outcomes dictated by algorithms. He urged filmmakers to advocate for creativity in storytelling, stressing the importance of "slowness, silence, and difference" in artistic expression. Cate Blanchett, reflecting on the Pope’s remarks, noted, “His Holiness’s words today were a real charge not to shy away from difficult, painful stories,” highlighting the need for inspiration within the industry, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and The Jakarta Post.

In closing, the Pope lauded the collective nature of filmmaking, acknowledging not only the leading figures in front of the camera but also the essential contributions of behind-the-scenes talent, describing it as "a collective endeavor in which no one is self-sufficient." The event concluded with exchanges of gifts, including a New York Knicks basketball shirt from Spike Lee, marking a memorable occasion for both the attendees and the Pope, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and The Jakarta Post.