Background information
Why I like boring films
by David Lee
Filmingo: streaming without the mainstream
30.3.2020
Translation: machine translated
Watching weird films in weird cinemas: I love it. It's not possible at the moment, but there is a Swiss streaming service for alternative cinema: Filmingo. Here's the test.
Of course, there are already more than enough streaming suppliers: Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney and the rest. But the best-known ones are fully geared towards the masses. After all, the aim is to generate as much revenue as possible. What falls by the wayside are the films outside the mainstream. These sometimes weird, strange and unwieldy films that are so different from what you know from Hollywood.
The films that are shown in arthouse cinemas. Or were until recently. I have a weakness for films like that, which are often slow and boring in a way.
The Swiss streaming service Filmingo caters to the needs of a minority. There are no Hollywood blockbusters and no series. The platform is operated by film distributor Trigon-Film, whose films mainly come from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. They make up - so far - the largest part of the collection. However, other film distributors such as Look Now and Filmcoopi also contribute films.
The majority of the productions are feature films, but fans of documentaries will also get their money's worth. Many documentaries originate from Switzerland. Some films can also be played in Germany, some worldwide, but the service can only be used without restrictions in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Normally, only films that were released in cinemas at least four months ago are shown on the streaming platform. This has to do with the film rights. However, in the current situation, where cinemas are closed, premieres are also available.
If you're not a long-time arthouse junkie, you won't know most of the films. I only just knew "Battleship Potemkin", the Japanese classic "Rashomon", the great film "Toni Erdmann", as well as one or two films by Aki Kaurismäki, of whom no fewer than 17 films can be seen. A friend recommended "Cold War" to me and under my Ode to boring films, users recommend "Solaris" in the 1972 version.
All good in the browser, app superfluous
Filmingo is always used with the web browser. There are apps for Android and iOS, but they are not as good as using the browser and are superfluous in my opinion. In the Android app, once a film has been started, there is no button to get out again. On the iPad, I once had the problem that the film was only played in a reduced resolution in the app, whereas it worked fine in the browser. The second time it also worked in the app.
Filmingo does not have any special apps for smart TVs. You can try playing films in the TV's browser. We tried it on an LG TV and it worked perfectly, even the subtitles worked. However, there are still said to be TV web browsers that are too limited for such a case. Filmingo recommends the usual workarounds in this situation: transmission from a laptop via HDMI or wireless streaming. Apple TV or Google Chromecast are suitable for this.
Synchronising the account across different devices works perfectly. There doesn't seem to be a limit to how many devices you can be logged in to. This could be utilised to use an account multiple times. But remember: Trigon-Film is not a greedy giant corporation like Disney, but a foundation that does not work for profit. In addition, the cinema closures mean that a large part of the income is lost.
On the first Saturday evening on which all exit options were closed (21 March), there were problems during prime time - the servers were obviously overloaded. On the second Saturday evening and at all other times, streaming went smoothly. Unfortunately, the films cannot be downloaded in advance to avoid any bottlenecks at eight o'clock in the evening.
Search and select
The search function is very fast and displays hits as you type. It includes the film title, director and the country in which it was shot. The collection can be browsed by category, region and film distribution. There are also curated lists: directors and cinemas list their favourite films, with a commentary to explain why.
You can add or remove films from your personal watch list at any time.
The only thing I miss is sorting. The films appear in the order in which they appeared on Filmingo, which cannot be changed. In the watch list, they appear in the order in which you added them.
If you don't have unlimited access, you naturally want to be able to judge in advance whether you really want to see a film. In addition to the trailer, you also have the option of watching five minutes of the film. In these five minutes - actually there are six - you can play any parts of the film. However, time does not stop when you pause the film or leave the preview.
After the film, you can send a link to a friend's email address. This person can then watch the film for free. However, this is very limited. With unlimited access, there are five films per year.
By the way, the entire platform is completely open, so it can also be searched without logging in. Logically, you only need an account to create your own watch list. You can also create one without buying anything.
I really like how open and clear the website is. The help page leaves hardly any questions unanswered and also explains how the cancellation process works, for example. I'm only mentioning this because it's a widespread bad habit to only provide help where it promotes business. Anyone who has ever tried to delete a social media profile knows what I'm talking about.
Expensive at first glance - less so at second
An annual subscription for unlimited use costs 240 francs, i.e. 20 francs per month. A hefty price compared to Netflix (11.90), for example, which offers a much larger selection.
You can also rent films individually for a unit price of 8 francs. This is also rather expensive in direct comparison. A film like "Toni Erdmann" costs 5.40 francs to rent from Ex Libris.
However, these comparisons are only half the truth. Firstly, you won't find many films on Filmingo anywhere else. As there are now also premieres, you would have to compare the price with a cinema ticket - and it's cheap. Secondly, the films that I can compare directly, i.e. that Ex Libris or other suppliers also have, are mostly older. This is where Filmingo's standardised price is a disadvantage in comparison. Newer films cost more with many suppliers. Example: Joker (2019) on Ex Libris currently costs 8.40 francs. And thirdly: the rental is valid for five days, not just two as with Ex Libris or HollyStar.
HollyStar offers all films at a price of 4 francs - but only in combination with a plan, for which you pay an additional 10 francs. Without a plan, the price is 8.40 francs.
In addition to unlimited access, there are two cheaper plans that only include two or five films per month. They cost 90 and 150 francs per year respectively. Additional films must also be purchased for 8 francs. These plans can also be purchased monthly instead of annually, which is more expensive over the year (9 and 15 francs).
Conclusion: a great niche product
Filmingo is not a streaming service for everyone. But it is a recommendation for anyone who likes films outside the mainstream. You don't get a free month to get started, but you can still try out the platform risk-free. Because the entire offer is openly visible. Films can be rented individually or watched as part of a low-cost monthly subscription.
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
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