Marginal
An avid reader, obsessed with uncovering the identity of whoever penned the marginal notes in her newly purchased books, returns to the bookstore where she bought them only to discover that intellectual freedom depends on reading between the lines.
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Filmmaker Statement

It’s no secret that independent bookstores in the U.S. have been struggling to stay afloat in a digital world, but the root reason for their decline isn’t so obvious. Sales soared during the pandemic, so why are bookstores, especially independent ones, still fighting such an uphill battle? One potential answer led to this film: they’re struggling because a mega-retailer has been stockpiling books in warehouses for well over a decade, placing a stranglehold on small, independent booksellers, who now face a diminished supply at higher prices. Set in a fictional, not-too-distant future, Marginal explores the short and slippery slope that begins with controlling and monitoring books — and urges viewers to think twice about placing their reading futures in the hands of any one mega retailer, especially one that is well on its way to displacing local sources for books, household goods, and even pharmaceuticals. Marginal is both a cautionary tale about the deterministic power of capitalism in the U.S. and a love letter to independent bookstores, booksellers, and readers everywhere.

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Duration 9 Minutes
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