Article Credit: https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/27/media/the-irishman-netflix-new-york-film-festival/index.html

A film by Martin Scorsese, “The Irishman” will premiere this Friday at the New York Film Festival. However, the film may have Netflix to thank for making the dream a reality. Scorsese claims he has tried for years to find the funding for the film until Netflix’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos saved the day. Netflix funded and backed the entire film. They allowed Scorcese to keep his creative rights and did not interfere in the directing or producing of the film. 

The film includes an all-star cast of Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and many more. It also rounded out to be Scorsese’s most expensive production yet at a total of $150 million.

Netflix has recently enjoyed multiple Oscars with films like “Roma” and record-breaking views on “Bird Box.” However, both Scorsese and Sarandos have hopes for “The Irishman” as an Oscar success and a hit among Netflix viewers. While the future of this film is important to Scorsese and his team, it could also be a crucial moment for Netflix. With streaming services from Apple and Disney releasing soon, Netflix needs a power move to help stay on top of competition. 

The film will open in theaters on November 1 and on Netflix on November 27. Scorsese obviously pushed for a larger theatrical release, but Netflix surely pushed back. The change in viewing habits has caused strain between theater owners and streaming services such as Netflix. “The Irishman” opening in both shows both sides to the conversation. 

A theatrical release allows the director to release commercials, measure ticket and box office sales and a Netflix release draws viewers to the platform and hopefully keeps them there

This article highlights the struggle that popular streaming services will soon face. With the rise of competition in what was once a slim industry, companies will have to create and release the best content in order to get to the top and stay there.