A couple years ago, Netflix came under fire for streaming movies in the wrong aspect ratio. For example, films that were originally presented in 2.39: 1 were streamed in 1.78:1, or in other words, with the black bars removed from the top and bottom, and sides of the frame chopped to fit the entire viewing area of a flatscreen 16:9 television. Netflix apologized and said they sometimes got the "wrong version" of movies from distributors. However, it seems they have yet to find a solution to fix a problem that is once again cropping up (pun intended!).
Xavier Dolan has taken to Twitter to call out Netflix UK for altering "Mommy." The director’s award-winning film should be presented in a 1:1 square, opening up in key moments to 1.85:1 — the most glorious of which is a scene soundtracked by Oasis‘ "Wonderwall," which earns its emotional power from the frame slowly opening wide, before closing back to 1:1. However, apparently this isn’t happening in the Netflix UK version, which is permanently staying pillarboxed.
READ MORE: Cannes Review: Xavier Dolan’s F’d-Up, Profane And Amazingly Alive ‘Mommy’
Dolan’s open letter suggests Netflix themselves tweaked the movie, not the distributors (unless it was done without telling him). Check out what he has to say below — so far, Netflix UK hasn’t made a comment — and watch that terrific "Wonderwall" scene in its proper ratio while you’re at it. Update 1/5: Xavier Dolan says the issue has been fixed.
@NetflixUK @metrodomegroup @eOnefilms @LesFilmsSeville pic.twitter.com/U7MvgUtlcf
— Xavier Dolan (@XDolan) January 4, 2016
— Xavier Dolan (@XDolan) January 5, 2016