Everything is relative, connected or disconnected (2017)

In September 1986, while in Vancouver for the Expo ‘86, I went to see Le Déclin de l’empire américain. [1] The theater was half full and the audience was comprised mainly of young people in their 20’s, like me. ‘A spontaneously Funny Sex Comedy!’ was the then tantalizing tagline for the movie’s Canadian release in June. As the movie progressed, the young people started to leave the theatre, one by one, two by two. I also wanted to leave, but stayed until the end, as I became more interested in witnessing the mass evacuation than seeing the conclusion of the movie itself. What I witnessed was a profound lack of interest. It did not matter because the movie went on to be shortlisted at the Oscars for best foreign film. Nor does it matter that it has remained one of the great films realized by Québec Director Denis Arcand. Many years later, I saw the movie again. The images of the exodus I witnessed during its debut still stood out for me as stronger than the film itself.

Blade Runner 2049 seems to have something in common with Le Déclin that I saw. On the opening weekend 2049 it became a box office flop. Commentators are saying that something didn’t click with audiences. [2] It reminds me of the crowd of young people in the Vancouver cinema. But, everything is relative, and Blade Runner 2049, like Le déclin will not rely on reactions of audiences to gauge its greatness. It could still become a cult favorite.

[1] The Decline of the American Empire – On this occasion in Vancouver, the film was presented in French with English subtitles.

[2] Why Blade Runner 2049 is a box office flop
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11930950