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I'm sad to see celluloid go, there's no doubt. But, you know, nitrate went, by the way, in 1971. If you ever saw a nitrate print of a silent film and then saw an acetate print, you'd see a big difference, but nobody remembers anymore. The acetate print is what we have. Maybe. Now it's digital.
Martin Scorsese
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects the nostalgia and loss associated with the transition from traditional film formats to digital media.

Martin Scorsese expresses a sense of sadness over the decline of traditional film mediums like celluloid and nitrate, acknowledging the significant differences in quality and experience between these formats and modern digital technology. He highlights how the changes in film formats may not be fully appreciated or remembered, indicating a cultural shift away from the rich history of cinema and a loss of the tactile, emotional quality that older film prints offered.

Themes

FilmNostalgiaDigitalChangeCinemaArt

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about the evolution of film, I referenced, 'I'm sad to see celluloid go...' to emphasize the importance of preserving traditional art forms.

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Very often I've known people who wouldn't say a word to each other, but they'd go to see movies together and experience life that way.
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