Watch Out Of Print

Out Of Print is a 2014 documentary film that takes a closer look at the importance of bookstores in our society and how the rise of digital media has impacted the future of print. Directed by Julia Marchese, the film showcases interviews with various influential figures in the book industry, including authors, publishers, bookstore owners, and book lovers. Among the notable names featured in the film are Rian Johnson, Seth Green, and Patton Oswalt. The film paints a vivid picture of how the rise of digital media, and more specifically e-books, has caused a significant decline in physical book sales. As a result, numerous independent bookstores across the United States have been forced to shut down due to the lack of sales. The documentary reveals that bookstores serve as much more than just retail locations but also as community spaces where people can find connections, escape, and inspiration. The movie opens with the tale of how Marchese became inspired to start working in a bookstore by visiting the “New Beverly Cinema” in Los Angeles, California. The director, who had always been an avid reader and movie-goer, found the video store and realized that it could serve as a platform to educate herself further about movies. She then went on to get a job at a video store, but the location closed down a short while after. Marchese then moved on to work at Vidiots, another video store that was well-known to filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino. Vidiots, despite immense popularity, could not survive the age of digital media, and it was announced that the store would eventually shut down. This announcement sparked a fire within Marchese, who knew that she wanted to do something to preserve physical bookstores as she had done with video stores. The documentary then transitions to showcase various bookstore owners and their stories. These owners come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives on their bookstores, but they are all united by their love for books. We also meet various authors like Clive Barker, who have used bookstores as an essential part of their research process. Barker believes that the act of discovering stories through browsing various books is an essential component of the creative process, and he worries that the death of the physical bookstore is taking that away from new writers. Throughout the documentary, we also get a glimpse into the challenges faced by independent bookstores in the face of changing consumer habits. The bookstores need to compete with Amazon's convenience and prices, which presents a significant challenge for them. The owners express their concerns but also their love for their stores and their customers. Overall, Out Of Print is a thought-provoking and engaging look at the importance of bookstores in our society. The film provides an analytical, yet heartwarming perspective that sheds light on the issue at hand. The movie showcases the love and passion that bookstore owners and customers have for the physical book, and it begs us to ponder, what we will lose if these stores continue to disappear? In conclusion, Out Of Print is an inspiring documentary that’ll give books lovers a renewed appreciation of physical bookstores. The film also serves as a poignant reminder that the commercialization of modern society comes at the cost of losing invaluable community spaces.