Terrence Malick to Projectionists: Please Don't Screw Up Tree of Life

Everyone knows that conventional multiplex projection is one of the most technically bankrupt stages of the modern film industry, but some people still take it seriously. Among them: Terrence Malick, arguably cinema's reigning perfectionist and reportedly a recent penpal to projectionists screening his latest dazzler, The Tree of Life.

According to the San Diego Reader, Malick issued a dictum laying out proper standards of projection for his film, a visually stunning, Cannes-winning opus that was likely conceived before most of the wage slaves manning the reels as Tree rolls out nationwide. Among his advisories:

Malick begins by cushioning his "fraternal salute" by pointing out the obvious: "Proper theatre projection is fast becoming a forgotten art." He asks projectionists to take into consideration the following points:

· Project the film in it's [sic] proper 1.85:1 aspect ratio.

· The correct fader setting on Dolby and DTS systems is 7. Malick asks that faders be kept at 7.5 or even 7.7, system permitting.

· The film has no opening credits, and the booth operator is asked to make sure the "lights down cue is well before the opening frame of reel 1."

· With all the recent talk of "darkier [sic], lousier" images, operators are asked that lamps are at "proper standard (5400 Kelvin)" and that the "foot Lambert level is at Standard 14."

And a postscript from Movieline, for what it's worth: Listen to the man. He is not above ass-kicking to prove a point.

· The Projectionist Has Final Cut -- Ask Terrence Malick [San Diego Reader via The Playlist]