Nowadays, kids are not very familiar with movie stars, but they are well-versed in popular YouTubers and other content. Natalie Portman, who started her acting career at the age of twelve, agrees with this. If this signals the end of the movie industry, the actress, now 42, appears happy nonetheless.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, the acclaimed actress and Oscar winner for her work in Black Swan shared her views on the evolving landscape of media and entertainment. She made several key points, one of which was the decline of movies as a mainstay of media and the emergence of popular YouTubers as the new faces of entertainment for the younger audience.
Although some might see this as a sign of a decline in films’ significance, Portman believes it to be a positive development.
Natalie Portman Reflects on Film’s Decline as a Primary Form of Entertainment
Natalie Portman, whose career has spanned more than two decades, noted that kids today, including her own, have a harder time recognizing traditional movie stars. But they are far more acquainted with popular YouTubers and social media influencers. While some may see this shift as a decline in the significance of films, the mother of two views it as a positive change.
The actress told Vanity Fair:
“The striking thing has been the decline of film as a primary form of entertainment. It feels much more niche now. If you ask someone my kids’ age about movie stars, they don’t know anyone compared to YouTube stars, or whatever. There’s a liberation to it, in having your art not be a popular art. You can really explore what’s interesting to you. It becomes much more about passion than about commerce.”
The actress thinks the “democratization” of the entertainment industry is reflected in this change. Since anyone with a camera and an “internet connection” can now create and share content on platforms like YouTube, a new generation of stars has emerged that connect with audiences in ways that traditional celebrities might not.
“There’s also been this democratization of creativity, where gatekeepers have been demoted and everyone can make things and incredible talents come up. And the accessibility is incredible. If you lived in a small town, you might not have been able to access great art cinema when I was growing up. Now it feels like if you’ve got an internet connection, you can get access to anything…So it’s this two-sided coin.”
For those who have grown up loving and cherishing the magic of the cinema, the decline of movies as mainstream media may be a bittersweet reality. However, Portman’s point of view offers a fresh perspective on the changing entertainment landscape.
Ana de Armas: There Is No ‘Mystery’ Around Movie Stars
Now, it is nothing new to meet or know a movie star; with social media, anyone can become instantly famous and well-regarded. In an interview with Vanity Fair last year, Ana de Armas reiterated her belief that there is no longer “mystery” in knowing a famous film actor.
The Cuban-Spanish actress added:
“I feel like the new generations don’t have that concept, because of social media. There is so much information out there and oversharing. The concept of a movie star is someone untouchable you only see onscreen. That mystery is gone. For the most part, we’ve done that to ourselves — nobody’s keeping anything from anyone anymore.”
As the world evolves and technology reshapes how we consume media, it may be time to embrace the new faces of entertainment and recognize the diversity and creativity they bring to the table.
Well, regardless of whether you love cult-classic flicks or you prefer to watch the latest YouTube sensation, one thing is for sure: the worlds of cinema and entertainment are constantly evolving. And it is up to us to adapt and appreciate the beauty and diversity that it has to offer.
