"Classical film critics paled in comparison to the intensely personal film community on Letterboxd"
In the world of film enthusiasts, a 17-year-old named Stanislas has carved out a unique niche for himself on Letterboxd, an online social network for cinephiles. Founded in 2011 by New Zealanders Matthew Buchanan and Karl von Randow, the platform has become a go-to source for film lovers worldwide.
Originally launched as a private version at the Brooklyn Beta web conference in October 2011, Letterboxd was designed as a "Goodreads for film," allowing users to log and review movies, create lists, and engage with other film enthusiasts. The name "Letterboxd" is derived from the practice of letterboxing, which involves placing black bars on the edges of a screen to preserve a movie's original aspect ratio.
Until March 2020, Letterboxd did not have any full-time employees. However, as the platform grew, it eventually employed 16 full-time and 12 part-time staff members by September 2023. In that same year, Canadian investment company Tiny acquired a 60% majority stake in Letterboxd, valuing the company at approximately $50–60 million. Despite this acquisition, Matthew Buchanan and Karl von Randow continue to lead the company.
Stanislas, an avid film enthusiast, uses Letterboxd to document his cinematic journey. He updates his account several times a week, treating it like a logbook of his film collection, which he compares to a "collector's obsession." Recently, he found himself in a moment of forgetfulness, expressing concern about possibly not reviewing "Julie (in 12 chapters)" by Joachim Trier on the platform.
The platform allows users to access and create lists of films, log, rate, and comment on the films they've watched, and engage in discussions about movies. It has become a hub for film enthusiasts worldwide, providing a community where users can express their opinions and connect with others who share similar interests in film.
Letterboxd's expansion plans include adding television shows to the platform, a decision that has been somewhat controversial among the community. However, the company has assured users that this addition will not disrupt the existing user experience.
For Stanislas, Letterboxd is more than just a platform for film reviews; it's a place where he can share his love for cinema online, collecting films in a digital format, much like collecting stones in the real world. His dedication to the platform is evident in his frequent updates, showcasing his favourite films and engaging in discussions with fellow film enthusiasts.
- Stanislas, being a part of the global community of film lovers, utilizes Letterboxd, the "Goodreads for film," as a digital space to document his cinematic journey, building a collector's obsession of sorts.
- In its continuous endeavor to cater to diverse entertainment interests, Letterboxd plans to include television shows on its platform, a decision that has sparked some debate within the film enthusiast community, but assurances have been given to maintain the platform's existing user experience.
