The creative director of a major UK cinema chain has issued a direct plea to film-makers: make shorter movies if you want them to be shown on the big screen. Clare Binns of Picturehouse Cinemas made the comments after being honoured with a Bafta for her outstanding contribution to British cinema, highlighting a growing industry concern over ever-lengthening runtimes.
The Three-Hour Problem
Recent high-profile releases have pushed well beyond the traditional two-hour mark, creating significant logistical headaches for cinema operators. Films like Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon, which runs for 206 minutes, and Brady Corbet's epic The Brutalist, with a mammoth 315-minute runtime, are cited as examples of this trend.
Binns argues that these extended durations directly impact the cinema-going experience and commercial viability. "It means you only get one evening show," she explained. The scheduling limitations are acute, reducing the number of screenings a venue can host each day and potentially affecting box office revenue.
A Plea for Audience Comfort
At the heart of Binns's argument is the need to respect the audience's time and comfort. "I talk to producers about this and say: 'Tell the director you're making the film for an audience, not the directors'," she stated. While acknowledging there are always exceptions, she frequently reviews films thinking, "You could take 20 minutes out of that."
Her message is clear: if directors want their work to be seen in cinemas, they must consider what audiences are willing to commit to. Picturehouse does incorporate intervals where they are built into a film's structure, but the fundamental issue of length remains a barrier. "I think it's a wake-up call to directors," Binns said.
Championing Cinema's Future
Binns, who will receive her Bafta at the ceremony on 22 February, brings a unique perspective shaped by a four-decade career. She started as an usher at the Ritzy in Brixton in 1981 and now oversees one of the UK's most influential independent cinema groups. She has worked with acclaimed directors including Danny Boyle and Steve McQueen.
Despite recent challenges—from Covid closures and slow audience returns to the 2023 Hollywood strikes—Binns believes cinemas are "in a much better place" than two years ago. She points to a resurgence in repertory programming, with young audiences flocking to see classics by Hitchcock and Agnès Varda on the big screen.
However, she warns that the survival of local cinemas as community hubs is crucial and under threat, citing the permanent closure of the Bromley Picturehouse in August 2024. She advocates for VAT reductions to help the sector. "If that disappears, it's a tragedy," she said of local venues.
For Binns, the recipe for a sustainable future lies in originality and direct engagement. She highlights successful original stories and the power of filmmaker Q&A sessions to connect with audiences. Emily Stillman, chair of the Bafta film committee, praised Binns as a "hugely talented and beloved visionary" for her work in bringing diverse storytelling to cinemas.
