Review of Side by Side (2012) by Raffielo M — 18 Aug 2012

The most fascinating idea behind the motivation of this project, besides a glimmer into the subjective notions elite artists hold about the subject matter, is the astonishing fact that we're currently living during a cinematic transition.

A much closer look into the differences between celluloid film and digital film begs two questions; how will filmmakers approach dramas using the digital medium and will the mysterious and unknowable elemental feelings within celluloid film's performances eventually transfer into digital? The latter, a strange question, calls for a scoop of complex emotional subtlety to effectively gauge if feelings of reality will truly be translated via digital medium, as they have been through celluloid film for the past 133 years? During this current epic film transition, the fantasy and sci-fi genres have embraced the digital medium whole heartedly.

Will personal dramatic performances lose their mystery on screen when digital sets the norm in the wave of the future? The wise generations who've been privy to the past celluloid timeless quality of its medium will soon hand over the baton of filmmaking to the new generations.

They will grow up without any comparisons to what 'feels' real in regards to what merely 'looks' real. Lastly, the documentary made certain that technology is constantly evolving at a rapid break-neck speed, to which no one can archive all of its past forms.

Therefore, celluloid, a non-technology based medium being the original medium is the only one with the ability to archive film for generations to come.