Environmental documentary Home today became the first feature-length film to premiere on YouTube at the same time as in cinemas and on TV.
The non-profit film, backed by retail group PPR, is directed by French photographer and environmentalist Yann Arthus-Bertrand, and produced by Luc Besson, the chap behind Léon and The Fifth Element. It's been released in French cinemas and will be shown on France 2 and for free at an open-air screening beneath the Eiffel Tower at 10pm. It's even out on DVD today.
The premiere is timed to coincide with World Environment Day. Events are taking place in over 50 countries, including a debate in Edinburgh and a screening at London's Institut Français 'Ciné Lumi.
In 2005, Steven Soderbergh released Bubble simultaneously in cinemas, on cable and on DVD. The film wasn't a commercial success, but that's probably down to the star-free story and lack of promotion. Home adds the Internet to the equation, which essentially gives you the freedom to enjoy the film whichever way you want to, without the inconvenience of waiting several months for it to arrive if you want to see it on DVD.
Conventional wisdom dictates that releasing a film on DVD too close to the theatrical release harms box-office takings, and let's face it, if it's on telly then some people will inevitably stay in instead of traipsing out to the pictures. Still, we're all for the option of consuming your media however you want.
Whether you're a rainbow warrior or an eco-sceptic, Home is worth seeing for its wealth of stunning aerial shots of our world and its nature and technology.
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