Quentin Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema will premiere a newly struck 35mm print of "One Battle After Another," marking the first time the Oscar-winning epic screens in that format. The film has previously circulated in 70mm, VistaVision, and other theatrical formats globally, but this 35mm iteration represents a fresh presentation of the work.
The screening anchors an ambitious June calendar at the New Beverly, the Los Angeles repertory cinema that Tarantino acquired in 2015. Since taking ownership, Tarantino has positioned the venue as a temple for theatrical exhibition, programming classic and contemporary films in their original formats. His commitment to celluloid projection and preservation runs counter to the industry's drift toward digital cinema.
"One Battle After Another" occupies a peculiar position in contemporary cinema. The film earned Oscars recognition, signaling critical and institutional validation, yet its theatrical life depends on the kind of specialized venues Tarantino champions. The multiple formats in which it has played reflect both the film's technical ambitions and the fragmented landscape of prestige cinema exhibition.
The New Beverly's June slate demonstrates Tarantino's curatorial vision. Rather than chasing blockbuster attendance, he programs works that demand theatrical presentation. 35mm offers distinct visual qualities from 70mm's grandeur or VistaVision's width. Each format imprints its own aesthetic character, and the 35mm presentation gives audiences another lens through which to experience the film.
This screening underscores a broader tension in film culture. Major studios increasingly prioritize streaming and digital distribution, leaving repertory cinemas like the New Beverly as sanctuaries for those seeking cinema as Tarantino envisions it. The arrival of a new 35mm print signals ongoing investment in theatrical presentation, even as such screenings grow rarer. For devotees of celluloid projection and classical cinema culture, the June calendar represents something increasingly precious: a sustained commitment to film as a physical medium requiring dedicated spaces and passionate stewardship.