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Side by Side

Play trailer Poster for Side by Side 2012,  1h 38m,  Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 92% 66 Reviews Tomatometer 86% 10,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
92% Tomatometer 66 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Directors James Cameron, David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan and others discuss digital technology's impact on filmmaking.

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Side by Side

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Side by Side

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Keanu Reeves proves a groovy guide through this informative exploration of how technology is transforming cinema, with an even-handed defense for both the old and the new.

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Critics Reviews

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David Wiegand San Francisco Chronicle Sep 10, 2013
2/4
The documentary would have been that much better with a more explicit focus on why the average filmgoer should care. Go to Full Review
Tara Brady Irish Times Feb 15, 2013
3/5
This is route-one stuff.No serious film enthusiast will, however, want to miss Side by Side. Go to Full Review
Peter Bradshaw Guardian Feb 14, 2013
3/5
Maybe this geekily precise, Keanu Reeves-fronted documentary fretting over the death of celluloid needs to give digital its due. Go to Full Review
Jim Ross TAKE ONE Magazine Feb 13, 2020
The film's breadth of opinions - of which there are too many to recount in a single article - indicates that there is no 'right' choice, and impressively captures a debate that may not rage forever. Go to Full Review
Amie Simon Three Imaginary Girls Mar 4, 2019
... if you're a film nerd, you are IN ABSOLUTE HEAVEN while watching this, totally enamored of every word, and thrilled about hearing the debate. Go to Full Review
Rania Richardson The Villager Dec 7, 2018
2.5/4
Celluloid or digital film - which is the better format? Directors, cinematographers, editors and other film professionals weigh in on the question in Chris Kenneally's densely packed doc, SIDE BY SIDE. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Draco S Sep 24, 2018 This is a documentary that every film enthusiast must watch. It will give you an understanding of the ways a feature film is shot and projected. To the unaware today most movies are shot on digital cameras as opposed to the photochemically styled film cameras of the past days. Both have their plus and minuses and in this documentary, Keanu Reeves goes about explaining the differences of the format and the opinion of most famous filmmakers on the subject. Featuring everyone from James Cameron to Martin Scorsese Side by Side is a great look at the technical aspect of cinema. See more
Abraham W Aug 20, 2018 Hollywood insiders are aware of a battle that has been brewing for quite sometime now: the technology to capture the image has two camps- film and digital and each are perhaps overwhelming the other. Film is photomchemical and the method by which cinema has been created and projected for all these years (since the late 1890). Digital cameras are new on the block and because they can do everything a film camera can but with less production costs, they are vying to be the medium every director chooses. Keanu Reeves questions industry insiders from top directors and cinematographers and gets a honest non biased overview. This is a good watch for anyone interested in the technical and "behind the camera" scenes of making of film and television. The documentary is precise and educative. (A great look at the mechanisms of film production and projection) See more
Leia S Aug 17, 2018 Hollywood insiders are aware of a battle that has been brewing for quite sometime now: the technology to capture the image has two camps- film and digital and each are perhaps overwhelming the other. Film is photomchemical and the method by which cinema has been created and projected for all these years (since the late 1890). Digital cameras are new on the block and because they can do everything a film camera can but with less production costs, they are vying to be the medium every director chooses. Keanu Reeves questions industry insiders from top directors and cinematographers and gets a honest non biased overview. This is a good watch for anyone interested in the technical and "behind the camera" scenes of making of film and television. The documentary is precise and educative. See more
Anakin L Jul 16, 2018 Side by Side is a fantastic documentary on the format of shooting feature films. To the unaware today most movies are shot on digital cameras as opposed to the photochemically styled film cameras of the past days. Both have their plus and minuses and in this documentary, Keanu Reeves goes about explaining the differences of the format and the opinion of most famous filmmakers on the subject. Featuring everyone from James Cameron to Martin Scorsese Side by Side is a great look at the technical aspect of cinema. (A great documentary on the way films are shot and projected) See more
Finn P Feb 10, 2017 very well made and informative
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Side by Side

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Movie Info

Synopsis Directors James Cameron, David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan and others discuss digital technology's impact on filmmaking.
Director
Christopher Kenneally
Producer
Keanu Reeves, Justin Szlasa
Distributor
Tribeca Film
Production Co
Company Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 17, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 5, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$28.6K
Runtime
1h 38m
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