Great documentary recently hit Netflix Instant. Side by Side did its rounds on the film fest circuit, got a great response and is now easy to see for everyone.

It’s a discussion on the warp speed that digital film making is over taking traditional celluloid film and techniques (many Cinematographers feel threatened). Film stock has been in use for more than 100 years and it’s only been about 13 years since digital has hit the professional scene to slowly claw it’s way into favor. In fact. traditional film cameras stopped being manufactured in 2011.

This is really a story of the inevitable. Digital was vastly inferior to film, but that is quickly changing. Equipment and workflow is changing to almost all digital, with many cost, speed and versatility for production benefits. There’s a few steadfast film makers who are holding on to film and Side by Side gets their side as well as the more forward thinkers. It’s an even movie where the pros and cons of each side are given equal time and consideration. While the conclusion seems pretty clear to anyone right at the start, this docu is a great history lesson with some fantastic interviews from some of the biggest names in cinema. A must watch for movie buffs.