Chiwetel Ejiofor in “Backrooms.” Credit: (A24/TNS).
From unconventional horror films to coming-of-age stories, independent film studio A24 has built a devoted following, since its creation in 2012, for its unique narratives and on-screen representation.
The studio has since grown from producing low-budget independent films to becoming one of the most recognizable names in modern cinema, earning 98 Academy Award nominations and 21 Oscar wins, according to a New Yorker article.
The culture and excitement around A24 movies have become popular among Gen Z, according to Ohio State students, and have become a culture in itself. Films ranging from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” to “Lady Bird” and “Midsommar” or, most recently, “Primetime,” are just a few of A24’s major films, and their conceptual plots and distinct cinematography style are a part of what makes them so popular.?
Michael Funk, a fourth-year in consumer and family financial services and president of Ohio State’s Film and Video Society, discussed his knowledge and understanding of his favorite A24 films as they relate to him and members of his club.?
“A24 is making incredible, fascinating movies that push boundaries in a lot of ways,” Funk said.
Funk said that A24 is developing its brand on a path unlike the one it began on, which was built on people’s love of indie filmmaking.
“I think A24 really lets the filmmakers make the film,” Funk said. “They almost always put the filmmaker above everything. In “Uncut Gems,” the Safdie brothers have a really unique filmmaking style that speaks to me. I love the frenetic energy of it — the rapid editing. It’s just a very intricately layered film, but you don’t get a lot of those anymore, at least not from big studios.”
?In June, Google invested $75 million in A24 to create AI-powered filmmaking tools, according to a Variety article. Funk said he, however, does not support A24’s recent decision to partner with Google and use artificial intelligence in its filmmaking.
“Everything with the AI that they’re doing — I’m not a fan,” Funk said. “I’m not a fan of AI in general, but it has no place in art.”?
Funk said the Film and Video Society allows him to bring together people who have a shared appreciation for film. For him, Funk said A24 films have been particularly emotionally impactful.?
“I want to experience how other people view the world through the films I watch,” Funk said. “I really want to emphasize the importance of connecting people through a human-based level for the members of Film and Video Society through the weekly film screenings. I want to make sure people feel seen by the movies they’re watching, and to encourage people to find movies that allow them to feel seen.”?
Leah Collins, a second-year in film studies, reflected on her experience studying film and engaging with A24. She said she appreciates its films for their ability to share stories that are not always told, and in her career, she hopes to write and direct films of the same nature.?
“I’m really interested in the making of films, but also the end product to see what they can do for people they don’t usually see themselves represented,” Collins said.
Through seeing A24’s on-screen representation and learning about film through Ohio State’s film studies curriculum, Collins said she has become further inspired to tell these sorts of stories herself.?
“In my experience as a film student at Ohio State, there’s been a lot of diversity, and I’ve seen a lot of people trying to do similar things to me,” Collins said. “A professor I had last year who retired, Linda Mizejewski, really inspired and influenced me to pursue film as a major. She taught a Gender and Hollywood class I took, which really showed me how diverse this industry can be.”?
Collins said she enjoys being involved in film organizations outside of her major, like Mad Royal Film Society, Ohio State’s film and video production organization, which has allowed her to be involved in two film productions so far. Collins said she also hopes to see more women in the filmmaking industry.
“Even though A24 has become such a big company, it still feels really indie and relatable to me,” Collins said. “I love the film “I Saw the TV Glow,” and I don’t think it could be as abstract or shot the way it was if it was done by a larger company.”
Though Collins enjoys A24 films, she said it can be difficult for independent film studios to balance the aesthetic appeal of films with their plots.
“I think “I Saw the TV Glow” does a really good job of balancing aesthetics with its plot,” Collins said. “It’s really well-written. I love the cast, and the scale of the film makes me appreciate its message even more.”
Looking ahead, Collins said she hopes to gain more experience in campus film organizations and is excited to see what the future of A24 will look like.
“It’s really inspiring to see an independent studio garner so much support and attention,” Collins said. “As someone who wants to pursue a career in film, it’s cool to see that it’s possible through the films A24 has produced.”
