Judging by the box office results of “Tenet” thus far, it is clear that now is not the time to release a blockbuster film. However, with the rise of drive-ins and the lack of major studio fare (up until recently, that is), indie films have enjoyed some pretty great box office runs since theaters have reopened after being shut down due to COVID-19. But for the filmmakers behind the new feature, “Synchronic,” just because their film is showing up in theaters, they really would prefer if you didn’t watch it. Wait, what?
READ MORE: Moorhead & Benson’s ‘SYNCHRONIC’ Is Egghead Indie Sci-Fi At Its Best [TIFF Review]
You read that right. Directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, along with producer David Lawson recently released a joint statement about their displeasure with the film “Synchronic” debuting at indoor theaters at this time. With the uncertainty surrounding the safety of indoor theaters (with social media reports from customers about lack of mask-wearing and social distancing at certain showings), the filmmakers behind the sci-fi thriller would prefer if you wait until you can view the film safely than risk it by going to a cinema.
“Due to distribution arrangements that are out of our control, the release of “Synchronic” into drive-ins and indoor theaters has been confirmed for October 23rd,” the statement said. “But we want to be very clear: at the time of writing this, we personally wouldn’t go to an indoor movie theater, so we can’t encourage you to. To us, this isn’t only about feeling safe in a theater, this is also about the scientific community indicating that enclosed spaces like movie theaters are still a hazard for spreading COVID-19 to others.”
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It’s uncommon (to say the least) to hear filmmakers actively ask viewers not to pay to watch their film in theaters. But, as can be seen in their film work, which includes the incredibly underrated “The Endless,” Moorhead and Benson are not your typical filmmakers. And when the story surrounding COVID-19 and movie theaters is far from crystal clear, with studios actively avoiding releasing major films (though mainly for financial reasons), it’s admirable that there are filmmakers that are willing to value their convictions and principles over selfishly leading film fans to believe everything is okay and things are totally normal (looking at you, Tom Cruise).
The unfortunate part is that “Synchronic” is actually a film that many who read this website would likely be interested in seeing. The film stars Jamie Dornan and Anthony Mackie in a film about paramedics attempting to figure out what’s going on with a new designer drug and its horrific effects on people. In our review from last year’s TIFF, we gave the film an ‘A’ rating and said, “I’m not sure it earns its ending, or, more accurately, that it’s the right ending for this kind of material. But that’s a minor complaint. ‘Synchronic’ is the kind of brainy, absorbing, all-out thrilling cinema that’s in dangerously short supply these days.”
So, while we would wholeheartedly suggest everyone check out the new film, the filmmakers said it best, “If you can’t see ‘Synchronic’ in a way that is safe for yourself and everyone you come into contact with, it will be available via Video on Demand in a few months as it continues its worldwide roll out.”
The statement concludes with this message: “We love and miss the theatrical experience, so let’s work together to stop the spread of the virus.”
Amen to that.