Brad Pitt: Independent Cinema Is Actually Thriving Amid Streaming Dominance

Veteran Hollywood actor Brad Pitt said independent cinema is currently as strong as it was in the 1990s, contradicting widespread predictions that streaming would kill off the big-screen film. He made the remarks at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain, where he was present to promote his latest project.

Pitt, who founded the production company Plan B Entertainment in 2001, argued that the current industry landscape actually gives independent films more room to be discovered by audiences. "I think the current order is very conducive to independent film, because more eyes are on these projects. It feels as strong as the '90s," he said, as quoted from international sources.

That view was reinforced by director David Ayer, who directed Heart of the Beast. Ayer said there is a new discovery path for young auteurs, many of whom come from platforms such as YouTube and the internet. "We're seeing people come in from YouTube or the internet, and now we're watching their ascent. They have very different tastes and grew up consuming media differently," Ayer said. He added that this new generation brings stories and opportunities that make him enthusiastic.

In a separate interview with Far Out magazine, Pitt said he was grateful for the presence of streaming services. According to him, platforms such as Netflix make it possible for bold material that big studios would not dare to bet on to still be produced. "I see bold material, the kind studios can't afford to bet on. Through streaming, artists can take that bet. Cinema is increasingly reduced to spectacle, but I see thought-provoking works like The Two Popes," he said.

Pitt also stressed the importance of adapting to new technology rather than mourning the past. He said he did not regret the decline in the use of celluloid film and instead admired the progress of digital technology. "I'm glad everything keeps evolving. Complaining won't help. Work with what you have," he said. For him, filmmaking is a team sport involving many people, and each individual's contribution can be better or weaker than what was given on set.

Pitt's remarks come amid a global debate about the future of cinemas. In Indonesia, the independent film industry faces similar challenges: limited screens, the dominance of big films, and changing audience behavior as viewers shift to digital platforms. However, the presence of local and regional streaming services opens opportunities for Indonesian filmmakers to reach a wider audience without having to rely on conventional theatrical distribution. Film festivals and indie communities in major cities serve as alternative spaces for discovering new work.

If the trend observed by Pitt and Ayer continues, the future of cinema may not lie solely on giant screens, but in a more decentralized ecosystem. The question is whether the Indonesian market is ready to be part of this wave, or whether it will be left behind due to a lack of infrastructure and funding. Time will tell, but adaptation is the key word.