📺🎥 Why are people talking about past movies that never existed ! 👀

Hi,

I am Vipul, and you are delving into Leeds1888, Issue-38. With Hollywood studios in the midst of an ongoing strike, new content remains elusive. Similarly, on the global cinema stage, no remarkable releases grace our screens. However, a captivating trend has taken root—the revival and celebration of movies from bygone eras, even those that never existed! Yes, you read it correctly. This week's edition delves into the intriguing phenomenon known as The Mandela Effect!

For newcomers to this newsletter, I specialise in covering significant events and offering valuable insights from the realm of media and entertainment.

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This newsletter will cover the following sections:-

• Top OTT Shows & Movies (don’t miss the new entrants)

• The phenomenon of the Mandela Effect concerning movies is gaining traction on social media.

• Weekly Box Office figures.

• Weekly Puzzle

• News Buzz

Top watched OTT Shows this week

Top Releases this week

What's the Mandela Effect and Why is social media celebrating the movies that don’t even exist?

For those fervently following social media news, the buzz surrounding 'Zepotha,' a supposedly vintage horror film, must have already reached their ears. This peculiar tale has taken the virtual realm by storm, amassing over 7000 stories in just a matter of hours. Such was the fervour that it prompted a surge of Google searches, propelling the term to the status of a trending topic.

Now, let's not misunderstand my stance—I'm all for commemorating cinematic gems of yesteryears. However, the twist in this tale is that 'Zepotha,' the purported 1970s horror masterpiece, is nothing but a fabrication of collective imagination! This faux film skyrocketed to prominence, courtesy of a rather bizarre phenomenon known as 'The Mandela Effect.' In case of this movie- the news got trending primarily on TikTok.

The Google Trend Report for ‘Zepotha Movie’

The Mandela Effect

The Mandela Effect pertains to a scenario where a substantial group of individuals holds the conviction that an incident transpired, despite evidence to the contrary. Coined in 2009 by Fiona Broome, the term came into being when she realised that she, along with numerous others, shared the false belief that Nelson Mandela had passed away during the 1980s—despite his actual demise occurring in 2013.

The Effect in play

The most recent instance of the Mandela Effect captivating TikTok revolves around an '80s horror flick titled "Zepotha." Interestingly, perspectives on this film diverge: some regard it as a standalone work, others identify it as part of a trilogy, and a faction insists it's slated for a 2024 revival. However, it's crucial to recognize that "Zepotha" holds no genuine cinematic existence. Astonishingly, creative TikTok users have crafted an entirely fabricated movie, employing cryptic comments and astutely persuasive videos to ensnare unsuspecting viewers into believing in its authenticity. So, if your TikTok feed is inundated with conjectures and allusions to "Zepotha," now you know the reason behind it.

Similarly, Twitter has erupted in fervent conversations about this trend, exemplified by a user's post that reads: "'Zepotha' stands as one of the most ingenious marketing ploys I've come across in quite some time. The fact that it has generated almost 7000 videos within a single day is truly mind-boggling."

Trending Hashtags

Even on Reddit, numerous "enthusiasts" have engaged in extensive dialogues, among whom one user asserts to have crafted an authoritative documentary regarding the fictitious film. This user even goes so far as to label the fanbase as "genuine Zepothians," showcasing the depth of their involvement in this imaginative narrative.

Last year a similar fake movie became trending and was discuss a lot on Tumblr ‘Goncharov’

So What’s the Real deal?

In Reality, the Mandela Effect has been cleverly used here as a way to promote something by connecting it to a similar story, even though that story isn't real in this case. For 'Zepotha,' this trick has been used to advertise Jeffri's upcoming album called 'SOUNDTRACK FOR AN ‘80'S HORROR MOVIE', which she's been talking about a lot on TikTok.

A bunch of Zepotha-related videos, shared by Jeffri and her dedicated fans, feature her song 'do you remember me' playing in the background. This adds a special sound element to the story.

The Debate

Spreading a fabricated narrative far and wide, to the point where people collectively begin to form incorrect memories of events that never occurred, goes beyond the scope of mere rumours. Referred to as 'Confabulations,' these false recollections arise due to the inherent flexibility of our memory. External influences can alter our memories, leading individuals to misrecall occurrences or even remember events that never transpired. Many individuals object to employing the Mandela Effect strategy to promote music, games, or movies, as it generates illusions and convinces people of something false. This inevitably fosters a prejudice towards the content.

Conclusion

The influence of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) isn't confined solely to the digital realm. Even the realm of content marketing is adopting the concept of inducing false beliefs through neurological methods like the 'Mandela Effect.' What's yet to unfold is whether a time will come when discussions, reviews, and accolades for movies, songs, and games transpire online, all without these creations ever truly existing! While such a prospect for the future seems unsettling, it's undeniably within the realm of possibility.

Box Office Collection Report

Quiz Time

Q- Which superhero movie, released around Valentine's Day in 2016, cleverly employed marketing strategies to present itself as a romantic film, despite not actually falling into that genre?

Hint:

Last Week QnA

Q-Disney holds around 80% in ESPN network. Which is the other major stakeholder in the network?

A- Hearest Communication

And with that, it's a wrap on this edition of Leeds1888.

Thanks for reading,

Vipul