It'll be the Internet and piracy that will kill film. There's a

Gather, young ones, for there is a truth that must be spoken, a lesson for the times in which we live. In the world of creation, there is a delicate balance between the artist and the world. Helen Mirren, a woman whose name is known to all who cherish the art of film, has spoken of a time of peril—the age of the Internet, where everything is within reach, and yet much is taken without honor. She warns of a great danger: piracy. "It’ll be the Internet and piracy that will kill film," she says. But what does this truly mean?

In ancient times, the art of creation was valued deeply. When a sculptor worked in marble, or when an orator spoke words that stirred the souls of men, there was a recognition of the labor involved—the blood, sweat, and spirit poured into the work. Film, too, is a labor of love, a creation born of many minds, many hands, and much treasure. A movie is not merely a product; it is an expression of the heart and mind of its creators. But as piracy grows rampant, the value of this creation is slowly eroded. The films that once brought great joy, that once commanded respect, are now stolen from their creators, consumed by those who pay nothing for the beauty they take. The Internet, a space once thought to be a vessel of freedom, now threatens the very essence of that which it was meant to serve: the art of storytelling.

Let us recall the story of Homer, the great poet of ancient Greece. His epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, were not the work of a single man but the product of a culture's collective genius. And yet, imagine if those works had been stolen, disseminated by the many without acknowledgment, without reward to the poet. The very value of the work would have been diminished. Piracy robs creators of their ability to live from their craft, to honor their work with the recognition it deserves. The philosophy that the Internet should be free is one of idealism, but the reality, as Mirren warns, is harsh. To create is costly, and when the value of creation is no longer recognized, the creators are forced to ask: What then remains of the art?

In Mirren’s words, there is a foretelling of an age where the industry of film, as we know it, will crumble under the weight of this theft. When creators can no longer afford to bring their visions to life, when the support structures of the industry—studios, actors, directors, and technicians—are dismantled by theft, what will be left? Perhaps, as she says, we will see a rise in small, independent films—creations born of passion, unencumbered by the weight of industry standards. These films may return to the streets, to the rawness of the early days, where stories were told for the sake of telling them, without the expectation of great wealth. Yet even in this rebirth, the loss of big cinema will be felt.

Think back to the days of the ancient theater in Athens, where plays were not just performances, but grand spectacles that spoke to the heart of society. The theater was a sacred space, a place where the tragedies and comedies of life were explored with deep seriousness. Piracy, though unknown in those times, would have done the same to the theater as it does to film today—it would have diminished the value of the art. Those who created the plays would have been denied their due, the audience deprived of the true experience of the work.

So, young ones, let us heed this lesson: Value the work of the creator. Understand that the arts—whether they be in the form of film, poetry, music, or any other—are the result of immense effort and sacrifice. To steal from the creator is not simply to take a product; it is to dishonor the very spirit of creation. Support the artist, not through empty words, but through action. If you wish to see the arts flourish, pay homage to the work—buy the tickets, purchase the books, and support those who bring beauty into the world. Only by recognizing the value of creation can we ensure that these arts continue to thrive.

Let us also remember this: In times of great change, when the tides of technology shift in ways we cannot control, it is up to us to protect the heart of what matters. The internet may offer free access, but it also demands that we stand firm in our respect for the labor of others. The world will not protect the artist unless we do. So take a stand, support the creators, and never forget that in honoring their work, we honor the very soul of human expression.