Art House Reading

It is true that the traditional "art house" and "indie" films are becoming more commercial as their audiences expand and this, in turn,  is leading to bigger budget movies masquerading as art house films. (I was not aware that the film, "Passion of the Christ" was labeled "independent".) This ludicrous invasion of the independent filmmaking world forces cinephiles to find even more obscure locations to screen truly noncommercial projects. But I would argue that this phenomena is not all bad.
By making it possible to try more experimental movie-making ideas and concepts in big budget movies, it makes it possible for would-be experimental filmmakers who have formerly been constrained by the classical hollywood style to branch out and stretch their creative limits. Some business-minded filmmakers would love to create rich, original pieces, but their realism keeps them harnessed to projects that are the most financially beneficial. Why is it bad to be well paid for your art? Does that really take away from the artistry itself? Sure, it is making it more difficult for truly low-budget films to thrive in the same venues but it is also getting easier to get a small film to larger audiences through You-Tube and similar video-sharing sites. Small low/no budget independent films can still be viewed at small film festivals (and some larger ones, with a little luck and plenty of skill). I am very glad that micro-cinemas are catering to the "little guys" but I cannot say that I am unhappy that the big fish want to try things that are nontraditional as well.  
The downside to all this is the lack of community in many art houses that show the big budget art films. I love going to small film festivals (like the Cape Fear Independent Film Festival here in Wilmington) not because the films are so brilliant- many of them are not- but because of the interaction between filmmakers, film scholars and films lovers. There is nothing quite like being in a room of film freaks who are all getting excited about discussing a film. But this experience is not dead at all- it is just going underground. And when you think about it, that is quite appropriate. Because after all, isn't that where art houses came from in the first place?