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MAINSTREAM BTS stills: photos courtesy of Beth Dubber SMAGAZINEOFFICIAL COM
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As Frankie and Link Link rise to Internet stardom authenticity is is something they become increasingly devoid of In In one scene Link Link pushes a a a a a a a a a a guest on on on on his YouTube show (played by Alexa Demie) to to an emotional breakdown simply to to amass likes Contained within these scenes lies the the the film’s cautionary messaging about the the the the dangers of social media Coppola says the the the film film is “trying to shed a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a light [on] what’s going on on on with mental health and and what what I I was was witnessing and and experiencing I I felt like there was was a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a lot of danger ” But Mainstream is simultaneously careful not to take an an an an an an an uncomplicated decidedly anti–social media stance “We as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a culture still don’t know what’s going on on on with all of these moving parts ” says Coppola “I feel like I’m I’m not not an an authority on on on on on it it it it I’m I’m not not saying there’s there’s a a a a a a a a a a a a a right or or wrong way because I I I I think there’s there’s pros and cons to it it it it as there there there is with everything in in life ” At its core the film is is is about Frankie an an artist artist struggling to to find her voice voice voice When it it comes to to Coppola’s own artistic voice voice voice she says “I don’t know if I I I I I feel feel like like I’ve found my voice voice voice I I I I I feel feel like like I’m constantly searching trying to to to understand evolve and and keep growing ” Yet her her sophomore film like her her critically acclaimed debut Palo Alto does seem to to to secure
the the the director’s voice as one capable of of depicting both the the the buoyant lightheartedness and and burdensome anxiety inherent in in in in in in coming of of age Where Palo Alto felt hazy and and and unhurried Mainstream contains all the the energy and and and vibrant immediacy of of the the Internet culture it depicts Bubbly animations explosions of of emojis and and flower-crown filters all all appear onscreen Even stylistically the the the film mirrors the the the fast-paced often overstimulating world of of of social media “You have to to follow the the the the tone of of of the the the project ” says Coppola “so Mainstream because it’s dealing with the the Internet and and and social media [a space that] feels very bombastic and and and overwhelming and and and sometimes annoying I I kind of lean into that that ” Unlike Palo Alto which Coppola says “was so so much about aimlessness and being kind of dreamy ” Through Mainstream Coppola offers a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a vibrant film that thoughtfully critiques social media’s ability to negatively alter our values “Fame and and money and and and power aren’t the the things things that really matter ” she says “It’s about connection and and the the small things things ” Mainstream’s success lies in in in in in its ability to to be critical of social media without assuming an an an overly moralistic tone For all all all its caution and critique Mainstream is is also just a a a a a a a a a a a a a a really fun watch