At the recent SXSW Conference and Festival held on March 13, Steven Spielberg addressed his thoughts on cinema during a panel discussion. Spielberg’s remarks were particularly pointed when talking about Timothee Chalamet’s controversial “no one cares” remark regarding ballet and opera.
Chalamet recently spoke at Variety and CNN where he said that he did not want to work in ballet or opera because, he claimed, “it’s like, no one cares about this anymore.” He added later, “I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I just took shots for no reason.”
In stark contrast to Chalamet’s sentiments, Spielberg delivered a passionate defense of the power of the cinematic experience. Speaking directly to the audience, he said, “At the end of a really good movie experience, we are all united with a whole bunch of feelings that we walk into the daylight or nighttime with. And there’s nothing like that. It happens in movies and in concerts.
“And it happens in ballet and opera, by the way,” Spielberg continued. “We want that to be sustained. We want that to go forever.”
Spielberg’s statement highlighted his belief that the emotional connection cinema offers is unmatched, transcending genres such as music or dance. This sentiment echoed those of other notable figures within the entertainment industry who have criticized Chalamet’s comments.
The incident underscores a broader discussion about the perceived relevance and potential decline in interest for traditional art forms like ballet and opera, especially in an era where streaming services offer endless options for consuming content at one’s leisure.