Watch Out of Print

Out of Print is a documentary film that explores the impact of the digital age on the traditional printed book. Directed by Julia Marchese, the film takes a nostalgic look into the world of bookstores, libraries and printed books and their potential extinction in the face of rapid technological advancements. The documentary features interviews with booksellers, publishers, authors, and book lovers from all walks of life. Through candid conversations, they share their personal experiences, concerns, and insights regarding the future of printed books in a world dominated by digital media.

Marchese sets the tone for the documentary by introducing the audience to the Last Bookstore in downtown Los Angeles, a giant maze-like structure built inside an old bank building. It's a place where people come to browse, buy, and enjoy the physical sensation of holding a book in their hands. The Last Bookstore serves as a metaphor for the bookstores of our past, and the struggles they face in the modern age.

The documentary examines the impact of digital technology on printed books from multiple angles. One of the primary subjects of the film is the E-book, which is presented as both a blessing and a curse for book lovers. E-books offer convenience, affordability, and the ability to store thousands of books on a single device. However, they don't offer the same tactile pleasure, sense of collection, or visual aesthetics as a printed book. The documentary plays on these differences in a way that makes the audience think about what they're losing by embracing E-books.

The film also explores the cultural significance of libraries and the challenges they face in the digital age. Libraries, as the ultimate caretakers of printed books, are shown as critical institutions that foster learning, research, and the dissemination of knowledge. However, they're also under threat from budget cuts, closures, and a lack of public interest. The documentary highlights the importance of libraries, arguing that they're more than just physical archives of information but also a sanctuary for discovery, imagination, and community.

One of the documentary's main strengths is its ability to showcase the passion and dedication of the people who love printed books. The interviews with authors and booksellers point to the emotional attachment that people have to books, and how it inspires them to preserve and promote printed books in the digital age. For these people, books aren't just commodities, but works of art, cultural artifacts, and a connection to the past.

The documentary also examines the business side of the publishing industry, including the impact of Amazon, self-publishing, and the changing distribution channels for printed books. It highlights some of the economic challenges that bookstores face, including the difficulty of competing with online retailers, and the high cost of maintaining physical space.

One of the most poignant segments of the film features interviews with the employees of a beloved independent bookstore in Portland that's going out of business. The employees are shown packing up boxes of books in a scene that's both sad and cathartic. It's a reminder of the human element behind printed books, and the emotions that they evoke.

Overall, Out of Print is a thoughtful, engaging and enjoyable documentary that offers a unique perspective on the future of printed books. It's a sobering reminder of what we stand to lose if we take printed books for granted, but also a celebration of why books matter. Whether you're a book lover, a technophile, or somewhere in between, Out of Print is a film that's worth seeing.

Out of Print is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.