The sunlight reflected in the sea off the Croisette isn't the only thing dazzling attendees at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Christie Digital, a long-standing provider of cinema technology to the festival, took center stage at the CST (Commission Supérieure Technique de l'Image et du Son) CanneS Technique (note the capital cases) event at the CST pavilion to discuss its role at the festival and its latest innovation: Variable Dynamic Range (VDR) technology. In a wide-ranging Q&A session, aptly named 'Go to the dark side with VDR: optimizing the cinematic experience', Adil Zerouali, Christie's VP of Sales for EMEA, shed light on this promising advancement and Christie's enduring commitment to the cinematic experience.
For those unfamiliar, the CST is France's oldest association of cinema technicians, born from the ashes of World War II and instrumental in rebuilding the nation's film industry. Today, they continue to champion technical excellence, and their pavilion served as the perfect backdrop for hosting seminars that included a talk by Christie on the future of projection.
Looking remarkably relaxed for someone whose projectors are entrusted to screen every film across all venues at the Cannes Film Festival, Zerouali began by discussing Christie's rich history, stretching back nearly a century, from the era of 35mm film to the forefront of the digital revolution. This legacy of innovation, he explained, is what drives them to continuously push the boundaries of what's possible in a cinema.
Enter VDR: More Than Just Another Acronym
So, what exactly is VDR? As Zerouali detailed, it's not just another three-letter acronym to add to the industry's lexicon (like VPF or VFR). VDR, which stands for Variable Dynamic Range, is a software-based solution designed to optimise the viewing experience by intelligently managing the light output of projectors. Interestingly the French translation for VDR is “plage dynamique variable”, with ‘plage’ also meaning beach, somewhat amusing as the CST pavilion is not far from the Cannes beach.
The core principle, Zerouali explained, lies in enhancing image quality and contrast while simultaneously improving energy efficiency. "The search for the perfect image," he stated, "always involves finding the right balance, especially with contrast. VDR allows us to play with this dynamic range, delivering the brightest whites and the deepest blacks possible within the same image, without compromising the integrity of the colour."
This is a crucial point. Unlike some technologies that might alter colorimetry to achieve higher contrast, Zerouali was at pains to stress that VDR focuses on the luminance, ensuring that the artistic intent of the filmmaker, particularly the director of photography's colour choices, remains untouched. Given the exacting demands of the creatives in Cannes, often seeing their films for the first time with a large audience, what is projected on the screen completely has to match the artists’ vision.
A Smarter, More Adaptive Projection
One of the stated advantages of VDR is its adaptability. Zerouali explained that the technology analyses the incoming image frame by frame and adjusts the projector's light output accordingly. This means that for scenes with high brightness, the projector delivers its full power, while for darker scenes, it can intelligently dim, conserving energy without sacrificing on-screen quality.
This intelligent regulation has significant implications. Zerouali highlighted that as well as creating richer images, VDR can also lead to a "longer lifespan for the laser light source, potentially 70% more," a considerable benefit for cinema operators looking to save money. Furthermore, this energy-saving aspect is not just economically sound but also aligns with growing sustainability concerns within the cinema industry.
Deftly handled by CST moderator Alexia de Mari, journalist and doctor in film history, the conversation extended beyond VDR, touching upon Christie's broader role in the cinema ecosystem. Zerouali pointed out that Christie's involvement at Cannes isn't limited to showcasing new tech. They are a fundamental part of the festival's infrastructure, with Christie projectors and screens, like the one prominently featured behind him during the Q&A, illuminating countless screenings, including the prestigious Salle Lumière, where the big premiers are held.
He also discussed Christie's commitment to education through "Christie University," an online platform offering training for projectionists and technicians on all aspects of cinema technology.
The discussion also acknowledged the competitive landscape, with technologies like Barco's light-steering, Dolby Vision HDR projection and the NEC-Sharp solution anticipated before the end of the year also pushing the envelope in delivering premium cinematic experiences. Zerouali positioned Christie's VDR as a distinct software-driven approach, emphasising its ability to be integrated into existing compatible Christie projectors through a firmware update expected later this year. This means that many cinemas won't need to invest in entirely new hardware to benefit from Christie’s VDR enhancements.
Anticipating the Future, Collaborating with Creators
Looking ahead, Zerouali stressed the importance of a holistic ecosystem. "It's not enough for Christie to arrive with new technologies," he said. "There needs to be content created for it." He highlighted Christie's ongoing dialogue with studios and directors to understand their future needs and ensure that projection technology evolves in tandem with creative vision, a key theme to highlight at the Cannes Film Festival.
The goal, he explained, is to ensure that when a filmmaker envisions a particular look for their film, the technology in the cinema is ready to faithfully reproduce it. This forward-thinking approach, of anticipating needs 4-6 years in advance, is crucial for maintaining the magic of the big screen experience he stressed.
Sitting deftly alongside other HDR solutions, Christie's VDR technology has the potential to represent a significant step forward in the quest for a more visually stunning, economically viable, and environmentally conscious cinema experience. By focusing on intelligent light management and software-driven upgrades, Christie is demonstrating a commitment to both innovation and the practical needs of cinema operators.
As the cinema industry continues to evolve, solutions like VDR, alongside other advancements like Barco's light-steering, will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the future of how we watch movies. The message from Cannes is clear: the future of cinema is bright, and Christie is dedicated to keeping it that way. The question now is whether we will see VDR on the big screen at next year’s Cannes. The answer to that question, however, lies with the creatives.
Adil Zerouali Talks VDR and Christie’s Role in Cannes at CST’s CanneS Technique