Cinema Leader Urges Directors to Create Shorter Films for Viewers’ Enjoyment
Clare Binns Highlights Concerns Over Film Runtimes
Clare Binns, the creative director of Picturehouse Cinemas, a chain owned by Cineworld, has voiced her concerns regarding the increasing lengths of films and their impact on both audiences and cinemas.
In light of her recent recognition as the recipient of the Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema award from BAFTA, Binns used the occasion to urge filmmakers to consider shorter runtimes. She emphasized that lengthy films could deter audiences from attending theaters.
Binns has engaged in discussions with producers about this trend, which she noted influenced The Brutalist, an Oscar-winning film that introduced an interval into its 215-minute duration. “I talk to producers about this and say: ‘Tell the director you’re making the film for an audience, not the directors,’” she told The Guardian. “There’s always exceptions, but I look at a lot of films and think: ‘You could take 20 minutes out of that.’ There’s no need for films to be that long.”
According to Binns, extended runtimes restrict theaters to just one evening screening, which can negatively affect their revenue. “I think it’s a wake-up call to directors. If they want their films in cinemas, people have to feel comfortable about what they’re committing to,” she added.
Binns began her career in the early 1980s as a cinema usher, gradually advancing to projectionist and then manager at the Ritzy cinema in London. She later managed a network of UK cinemas under Zoo Cinemas before joining Picturehouse in 2003.
Reflecting on the state of cinemas post-pandemic, Binns expressed optimism, stating they are "in a much better place." She remains confident in the future of the film industry, despite significant shifts such as Netflix’s recent acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. “People have predicted the end of cinema many times – when television arrived, when we went digital. We’re still standing,” she remarked.
Binns is set to receive her BAFTA award at the Film Awards on February 22, an event that will be hosted by Alan Cumming. The BAFTA longlists were announced recently, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another leading with a record 16 nominations.
