Feb 26 • 04:30 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El País

Very Long Series, Too Much

The article critiques the trend of excessively long series on streaming platforms, suggesting that they often overextend their narratives without justifiable reasons.

The article discusses the growing concern over the length of television series released by streaming platforms, noting that many series have unnecessarily extended durations and episode counts that do not serve the narrative needs or character development. While the industry seems to cater to an audience that consumes content on mobile devices, the approach adopted by many writers often involves repetitive storylines that can detract from the overall quality of the series. This raises questions about the creative choices made in modern television.

The author draws on a comparison with the work of renowned filmmaker Béla Tarr, who embraced lengthy storytelling in his films for philosophical reasons tied to the dimensions of time and space. However, the argument is made that contemporary series do not hold the same weight, as their prolonged formats often lack depth and the rich character familiarity that longer narratives aim to achieve. The reference to Eva Güimil's criticism of film lengths underscores this point, highlighting a broader industry issue regarding pacing and substance in storytelling.

Ultimately, the article suggests a need for reflection within the industry about the balance between viewer engagement through length and the necessity of maintaining compelling and succinct narratives. Without careful consideration, there is a risk of diminishing the overall artistry and impact of these series within the landscape of modern television.

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