Natalie Portman talks about the decline of cinema amid social media and influencers – The Hollywood Reporter

Natalie Portman

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Natalie Portman chimes in on the conversation surrounding the traditional film medium in the age of social media.

The Oscar-winning actress was recently asked in an interview with Vanity gallery About the changes she’s seen in Hollywood over the years.

“What is striking is the decline of film as a primary form of entertainment,” she said. “It seems more niche now. If you ask someone my kids’ age who movie stars are, they don’t know anyone compared to YouTube stars or anything.”

The influence of social media on major movie stars has been a topic of recent debate, especially with the rise of influencers in the 21st century. Ana de Armas said last year that she feels the “concept of a movie star” has been destroyed because “the mystique is gone”, while Jennifer Aniston previously responded to the “mass fame phenomenon” comment, saying: “It’s dying.” There are no more movie stars. “There is no more magic.”

But Portman doesn’t necessarily feel that change in the industry is a bad thing, comparing it to a “two-sided coin.”

“There is a liberation in that, to not have your art be popular art.” May December The actress admitted. “You can really explore what interests you. It becomes more about emotion than commerce. It’s also interesting to be careful of it becoming an elitist thing. I think all of these art forms, as they become less popular, you have to start saying, ‘Okay, who are we making this for?’ Anymore?

She also feels that social media has allowed the entertainment space to become more accessible and inclusive for everyone, not just those directly in Hollywood.

“And it’s also amazing, because there’s also been a democratization of creativity, where the gatekeepers have been demoted and everyone can make amazing things and talent. “The access is incredible,” Portman added. “If you live in a small town, you probably wouldn’t be able to On access to great art cinema when I was growing up. Now, it’s like if you have an internet connection, you can access anything. It’s very strange that you also feel, at the same time, that more people might see your weird art film than ever before because of its extraordinary reach.

Portman has seen many changes in the industry over the years since she began her acting career as a child. She recently looked back on her first film role in 1994 Leon professional During his appearance on not smart podcast earlier this week, where she also talked about navigating Hollywood at a young age.

She remembered actress Jodie Foster, who was also a child actress and played the title role taxi driver When she was 12 years old, she reached out after a speech she gave at the Women’s March in Los Angeles in 2018 to talk about their shared experiences.

“I gave a speech at a women’s march about being sexualized as a young actress, and she reached out to me afterward, and we talked, and it was great,” Portman said. “She continues to be a role model.”