Remember Day Zero? Well here's the time for some drops from that chat -- since then I have experienced some great things and seen a few glitches, too, in the matrix of this online film festival.

Ferenc Török (Moszkva tér, Overnight) director, a member of the new generation of Hungarian filmmakers had a few points back at the opening that resonate with my impressions so far. As the Hungarian filmmarket has its obstacles (small, private financing still needs to improve) he's happy even for the illegal movie trade, but he definitely welcomes a legal form of on-line distribution. At the same time, he's worried for the movie theater -- the "Temple” of Cinema.

The Temple is on a shaky ground, but I'd find it surreal to see it become extinct. The danger may be greater, though, than some realize. As filmmakers, they eat and drink film, therefore it's harder to separate themselves and be objective.

Sadly the majority of the people I know rarely go to a cinema here in Budapest. Young, old, all have their different reasons. Behind all this is the fact that movie going as an event almost diminished. It's just A form of entertainment not THE form, that it once was. TV, DVD, torrents all hack away chunks from the beams that hold the Temple. And that's just movies. There's another great "threat”: computer games. They become rapidly more sophisticated, surpassing film in some aspects even now, and you can't see the end of it.

I don't think desparation is justified though. These genres live and breed from each other. I see more crossovers in the future, interactivity will be bigger, new forms of sensations will appear (3D as common tool, moving comic books, etc.), the possibilities are endless.

But what's the current situation?

On the positive, festivals like this and on-line distribution in general give you the chance to experience rare movies, hand-picked by insiders and film lovers. You could probably track down The Trial of Tony Blair for example, a satiric gem (there's a review you can read on Boxoffice.com). But would you look for it at a festival, or would an ad bring it to you? Theatrical release? Unlikely. A few screenings in an art cinema, at the maximum. This way, theoreticaly, as many people can see it on Filmklik.hu (here in Hungary) as Spiderman 3.

On the downside, quality needs to improve. Fast-net connection is less and less a problem. The movies stream marvelously with a 2 Mbps stream, at least here in Budapest. Image could improve and it should, to stay in the race. A small glitch in probably a studio equipment during digitalization can cause little grey rectangles to appear onscreen from time to time with some movies. They are not utterly disturbing, but lower the experience a bit. Rightfully, Filmklik.hu is investigating the case and will fix the error. Another thing to learn: you need quality check and perfect equipment.

Finally some words of Mr. Török: Cinema will always be there, you need the celluloid proof that a movie exists.

And he is not alone in feeling insecure that with only digital storage on a hard drive, the actual movie may be in danger of being lost forever.