Side by Side

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1h 38m

Documentary

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93%

67 Reviews

Tomatometer

86%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Directors James Cameron, David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan and others discuss digital technology's impact on filmmaking.

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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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Kyle M

Both historical review and argument clashing idealness between preserving tradition and embracing innovation for visually resulted achievement, another passionately-led essentiality for exploring film is exceptionally covered for easily solid engagement. (A-)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/27/24

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Miss P

I have basically zero knowledge of how movies are made other than behind the scenes docs. I've been aware of the digital vs film debate but had no idea why it mattered. This film explains exactly why filmmakers have preferences and it shows the differences in the two. What I found most intriguing is the real vs fabricated worlds and how digital opened up possibilities. This doc is 10 years old and what I find interesting is currently people seem to be wanting practical effects vs green screens and digital actors. James Cameron seemed to take offense at this particular debate. He relies heavily on CGI and asked Reeves how often what's on screen is "real". I laughed out loud because the movie "Speed" is known for doing primarily practical effects. And personally, I think it shows. As a movie goer I prefer it. Reeves is too kind to point this out, but I would have enjoyed a more spirited debate regarding that issue. It was well done and I learned a lot. I only wish it would have dug maybe a bit deeper into the different issues. Perhaps revisit this subject now? I think opinions would be even more varied.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/04/24

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Audience Member

I love watching films and writing them, and Side by Side gives a bit of both. It's great for anyone with a love of movies that goes beyond being an audience member.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

This is a necessary watch for filmmakers. It gives a sense of how cinema has evolved with the advances of digital filmmaking and where it's gonna go from there. At one point, the documentary slightly hinted at what the future of cinema would be like with streaming services, and I was so glad that it mentioned that. The art of watching movies has changed a whole lot with the help of streaming services, so having that predicted in a documentary from eight years ago was awesome!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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renaldo d

good documentary, rich in information

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

This is a fantastic documentary which provides a window into the technical elements of the way an image is captured by cameras for motion pictures. Most of us are aware that there are two mediums- film, - which has been the method of application up until the last decade or two, and digital- which is trying to supplant film. It is an interesting look at the junction of art and science to create a feature film and the kind of hurdles these mediums, and the people using them have to overcome. Keanu Reeves is an excellent host and the usually drab actor seems full of energy here, asking furtive questions and giving feedback and opinion. There are a host of subjects interviewed here, from legendary filmmakers and cinematographers to producers and movie moguls. I prefer the look of film stock and will side with it, but there is no denying the strides digital cameras have made in recent years. And perhaps the greatest takeaway from this documentary is that it doesn't really matter what medium you shoot on- it is the person behind the camera that matters.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Christopher Kenneally

Director

Keanu Reeves

Actor

Christopher Kenneally

Writer

Keanu Reeves

Producer

Justin Szlasa

Producer

Chris Cassidy

Cinematographer

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David Wiegand

San Francisco Chronicle

The documentary would have been that much better with a more explicit focus on why the average filmgoer should care.

Rated: 2/4

Sep 10, 2013

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

This is route-one stuff.No serious film enthusiast will, however, want to miss Side by Side.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 15, 2013

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Maybe this geekily precise, Keanu Reeves-fronted documentary fretting over the death of celluloid needs to give digital its due.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 14, 2013

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Jim Ross

TAKE ONE Magazine

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.

Feb 13, 2020

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Amie Simon

Three Imaginary Girls

... 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.

Mar 4, 2019

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Rania Richardson

The Villager

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.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 7, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

Directors James Cameron, David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan and others discuss digital technology's impact on filmmaking.

Director: Christopher Kenneally
Screenwriter: Christopher Kenneally
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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