Theatre versus streaming debate relates little with cinema: Alfonso Cuaron

Cinema cannot be held hostage to just one economic model, says Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuaron whose film "Roma" was at the centre of intense debate between streaming versus theatrical that has divided the world of movies and their makers.

The debate around the success of "Roma" has "very little" do with cinema, it is rather about "economic models", the Mexican director told PTI in an interview.

"Roma", despite being the obvious frontrunner and claiming three top awards including the Best Director Oscar for Cuaron, could not claim the top prize of Best Picture, which went to "Green Book", sparking sharp reactions from cinema lovers.

Some interpreted it as the result of a fight between Hollywood studios and Netflix after it was reported that filmmaker Steven Spielberg was pushing for a rule change by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to exclude streaming services from Oscars eligibility.

While Cuaron does not think "Roma" lost because of the resistance to ...