#also god i could write a thousand pages ranting about my thoughts on the self-retiring ideology RA has but i don't want to actively drive

[astrovian]

if you user t/rrent there’s been a dual audio version of the man from rome out since september and the image quality is better than youtube

Thanks for the tip, anon!

I do just want to point out something though - we absolutely should be paying for RA's content where possible

Now, don't get the wrong idea that I'm preaching from up on a high horse because trust me, I have streamed (and still do) so many things in my life that may have come from uh... let's say, more *dubious* sites

Accessibility to content is a real issue for a number of us, especially because RA tends to do a lot of UK/European-centric releases. Here in NZ we can have *so many* paid subscriptions to legal streaming services and still not be able to access modern mainstream content that places like the UK & US take access to for granted

So look - I get it. I actually actively encourage it 99% of the time

But bear with me for a second:

I know it's obvious, but I think it bears repeating that paying for RA's content is the number one way we can say directly to film creators - "yes, we want you to cast RA in more things!!" and also allows us to directly tell RA - "yes, we do want to see you do more things and continue on like you are!!!"

It's that old stupid phrase that I hate for being so true: money talks

And that idea of talking with our money directly to Richard is particularly important to keep in mind, more so now than ever I think, as we look ahead to the next few years, and also back at the past few years of RA's works

I mean, look at the main types of works RA has been producing in recent years:

a) Netflix-heavy content (where most of us have subscriptions that are not solely dependent on him being in their shows)

b) Smaller, more niche productions & film markets (e.g. though maybe a bad example because it's also a Netflix film, we know for a fact RA took a pay cut to shoot Space Sweepers because he liked the idea of the film, but the film itself was intended really for more of the Korean market than the Western one) - not necessarily Hollywood blockbusters

c) Audiobook narrations & voice-over work

Combine that with the fact that he's very explicitly said that his focus for the coming years is on his fledgling writing and producing careers which he's been setting up, and I sadly do think that the time when we see him less and less on-screen is coming much sooner than any of us would really like to admit

(and I mean that in a "I'm happy for you RA for following your current passions but also depressed at the thought because I want you to continue in front of the camera for as long as you can" kind of way)

I'm not saying that I think he'll give acting up for good anytime soon (he's not THAT old, despite his complaints and talk of self-retirement 🙄) but I think it's incredibly naive for all of us to not see the writing on the wall in terms of the direction he actively wants (and is working hard to ensure!!) his career is moving in - and in particular, what that means for his on-camera career

My prediction is that we will see his narrative, writing, and producing works increase in volume and they will take over the majority of his time in coming years - we'll only get the occasional film/show from him compared to the bounty he's blessed us with in the past (keep in mind I am also really talking big, big picture here)

Which will be a bittersweet moment for us because I think we're all so happy he's following what he wants but also so sad his new acting jaunts will be less frequent for us to consume (note how I'm not suggesting he will stop acting in film/TV altogether)

((and I would could write a freaking novel on why I think he's seemingly a bit obsessed with this idea of self-retiring and getting old as an actor but that is a story for another time maybe!!!))

BUT ANYWAY, as dumb and as obvious as it is, what I'm saying is that paying for RA's new shows/films is the number one way we can get the message across to him that despite these exciting new paths that he's gonna wander down (and we will be following him down!), we still want to see him exercise his acting muscles as much as he's willing to for us!!

So, by all means, t/rrent & stream where you need to - heaven knows I do. Do it if you need or want access to his work ASAP and that's the only way you can get it. Do it if it hasn't been released in your country & don't feel guilty for it

All I'm saying is - if you are blessed with an avenue to pay for one of his works, and if you have some spare dollars at the end of a paycheck - please, please, please do so

Stream it illegally, then ALSO go buy the DVD. T/rrent it then ALSO buy it from Apple or Google Play. Stream and t/rrent it and then ALSO go see it in the cinema. Or do all of them if you really can afford to!!!

Paying to see RA's films/shows is the number one way we can ensure he makes more room in his life for future acting gigs while he also focuses on wandering down new exciting chapters in his career