It’s an idea that sparked controversy in Quebec. On April 25th, at the Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma, the Cinémathèque québécoise decided to screen a film at x1.5 speed. The goal? To question the phenomenon of speed watching. Because for several years, Generation Z has been consuming content on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and sometimes even Netflix at an accelerated pace.
The film “Amour Apocalypse” by director Anne Émond was shown in fast forward in the screening room. This approach was misunderstood by some. But could this become a regular occurrence in our cinemas?
“Mieux comprendre les nouvelles générations”
According to Laura Rohard, festival director, the goal was to show that “the way films are consumed is changing” and that it is necessary to “better understand how the new generations interact with films.” Because the majority of the invited viewers at the screening were part of Gen Z. A debate is planned at the end, with content creator Mounir Kaddouri, also known as “Maire de Laval.”
Today, the number of people practicing “speed watching” is increasing. While this trend is more common with videos on social networks like TikTok or Instagram, series and even some films, especially when platforms like Netflix offer this option, are also affected. Researchers from the University of California found that 85% of students surveyed in their study watched audio or video content at an accelerated pace.
The film director, consulted before the screening, agreed to this initiative, especially since the film was also shown at normal speed on another day of the festival. “The flood of comments I’ve received in the past few days, whether enthusiastic, skeptical, or upset, indicates that the topic is interesting and thought-provoking. I look forward to attending this discussion with all the generations present at the round table,” she had said before the screening.
Débat immédiat
Immediately after the announcement, the press, the world of cinema, and the internet commented on this choice. Journalist Marc Cassivi from the Canadian media La Presse wrote: “Encouraging a young audience to discover Quebec cinema by not watching a Quebec film as it was imagined and created by its craftsmen seems contradictory.” He also mentioned “a breach of the integrity of Anne Émond’s work,” while acknowledging the director’s opinion on the matter.
And the online comments reflect a certain rejection: “Minds consumed by capitalism, that’s what it leads to. Not taking time for anything, not even to watch a movie. It’s frightening.” Some even responded satirically by showing excerpts of Disney cartoons in fast forward.
Une expérience qui n’ira sûrement pas plus loin
However, can we imagine that one day this experimentation will become the norm? 20 Minutes interviewed journalist Mélanie Toubeau, known as La Manie du Cinéma on social networks.
“Many people said that we were treating viewers as idiots, that it was a form of dumbing down. But the goal was to question, to provoke a debate. And personally, I think it’s a good idea. Especially since the director approved the project,” the journalist confided.
Technically and artistically, she believes it wouldn’t make sense: “I don’t see how filmmakers could create films meant to be viewed at an accelerated pace. And pacing in cinema is one of the most important aspects. Once I watched the end of a movie at x1.5 speed and regretted it because I had missed the impact.”
The journalist, however, thinks it was just an experiment: “For me, it couldn’t become the norm in theaters. The cinema hall is very sacred. And exhibitors remain respectful of the films. But it could happen on streaming platforms. Personally, it makes me think of their guidelines and the directive given to screenwriters to repeat important events to the viewer, because it’s assumed that they’re not really focused on what’s happening on the screen.”
