Video library comeback: gen z discovers the magic of physical browsing

Video library comeback: gen z discovers the magic of physical browsing

In times when streaming services such as Netflix and Co. dominate media consumption, Generation Z (15 to 30 year olds) shows an unexpected interest in an old medium- the video store. This proves a comeback that is also noticeable in Saarland. Young people who grew up with smartphones and digital platforms discover the charming experience of physical browsing on the shelves of video stores. The longing for analog experiences and the need to escape the algorithm drive this trend forward, as Sol.de reports.

An impressive illustration of this trend is the video store "Format Filmkunstverleih" in Halle (Saale), where young people discover films. Lena Hütter, 26, an active supporter of the video store, describes her discovery of the video store as a turning point in her media consumption. During Corona pandemic, she found a form of escapism in DVDs, while the streaming offer seemed overwhelming and impersonal for her. "The video store feels like an à la carte restaurant for films," she says, which highlights the targeted selection and personal contact with other cineastes.

nostalgia and constant discussions

But not only the haptic experience of DVDs and VHS strips is unique; The discussions about cinematic classics and rarities also make the video store a meeting point for like -minded people. More than 19,000 films are stored in the hall, where visitors not only borrow films, but can also discuss their content and meaning. Media change expert Manuel Menke explains that the selection in video stores takes time, which is often lost in the fast digital world. This slow, conscious selection is perceived by many as an enrichment.

In the background there is a cultural -historical aspect: historian Tobias Becker sees the resonating nostalgia as a prerequisite for dealing with the present. In times of crisis, as we experience it today, the past is often romanticized, which has a stabilizing effect on people. Nostalgia thus acts as a kind of criticism of the fast pace and the challenges of the digital age.

social developments in Saarland

Return to analog media, however, is not the only topic that Saarland is currently concerned with. Anke Rehlinger, Prime Minister of Saarland, also demands three essential points for the region after approval of a billion-dollar financial package in the Federal Council. This happens against the background of current events, such as a serious traffic accident in Homburg, in which the fire service and the police also deployed the emergency services. In addition, there was a motorcycle accident near Nohfelden, in which a driver was seriously injured so that a rescue helicopter was used.

In addition, the police in Saarland repeatedly register "parking accidents" on petrol station grounds and are looking for a driver of a white van. Despite these negative headlines, there is also positive news: According to an ADAC evaluation, the Saarlanders are currently filling up the cheapest nationwide. These developments show that Saarland is not only shaped by the return to the video store, but also by other social issues.