The British Film

Industry

What is British cinema?• British film is not as straightforward as it might

initially seem. Some films are made in Britain by Hollywood, some films are about Britain but not made in Britain and so on….the film industry is incredibly international!

• TASK : Discuss these questions in pairs: • What are British films about? Is there such a thing as a

typical British film?• Does it have to be made in Britain?• Does it have to be funded by a British company? Do you

know the names of companies that produce British films?• Should it be made mainly for a British audience?

Task: Look at the following posters and make notes on how the represent ‘Britishness’.

British films - Task

• Watch each of the following clips from British films. Make notes on what makes them British?

• The setting

• The story and themes

• The culture

• The characters

4 WEDDINGS

• The setting – LONDON, SOMERSET• The story and themes – traditional british wedding –

May 1st – bank hols• The culture – full english breakfast, big hats, church

stone…british hymn, swearing…bugger• The cast – hugh grant (best man) forgetful, bumbling

idiotPriest – rowan atkinson quirky, awkward, slapstickCousin Scarlet – striking red hair – skeleton ring –

quirky dress…punk – eccentric, confident

Definitions of British film

• Legally a British film should have:

• Been mostly made in Britain with mostly a British cast and crew.

• Must be mostly British financed.

• Must represent Britain.

British cinema – things to consider….

• Most British films are produced in a very small area of the country – London and the South East, does this make them representative of the country?

• Most British films are made by white middle aged men, does this make them representative?

• Class is a significant issue in British film. Why?

• British comedies are successful. Why?

• How much do you think British films are influenced by Hollywood?

• What sort or perception of Britain does the rest of the world get from watching our films?

British stereotypes through film• Everyone in the UK lives in large terraced house in an

affluent part of London.• Everyone appears to have gone to public school or to

have worked down the pits since they were 10.• The British are a little eccentric (mad).• Britain is largely white and middle class.• The north of England is like another country of , working

class, pie eating manual labourers.• The British all have a dry wit, self depreciating and

pessimistic.• Scotland and Wales don’t exist.• Emotionally repressed.• Very polite and courteous.

British Talent

• Since the 1930s the British film industry has struggled to compete with the influx of Hollywood films and the power of the Hollywood studio system.

• Unlike the US, Britain has never had a studio system. In addition many of the best British talents have emigrated to the Hollywood system.

• Task: How many British actors and directors that are now ‘big’ in Hollywood can you name?

• Recent example: Parminder Nagra from ‘Bend it Like Beckham’.

• Leicester born actress. Began in local theatre and discovered by channel 4 talent scout. Got part in ‘Beckham’ and whilst in LA promoting film she got part as Dr Neela in US hospital drama ‘ER’.

US vs UK cinema

• What are the differences between US and UK film (besides the money spent).

• Think about themes and characters in films.

• Social Realism: British cinema has a tradition in tackling social issues since the mid 1950s.

• These films are known as social realism and modern examples include ‘Bullet Boy’, ‘Sweet Sixteen’ and ‘Trainspotting’

Problems with British film?

• Hollywood power: Most UK films are independently made and find it difficult to compete with the big US multi- national companies. The market is saturated by US imports. US films have more money to market/advertise.

• American imperialism: We are living in an ‘Americanised country that is generally dominated by US culture( think of the music and TV industries as well).

• The idea of ‘Britishness’: until recently the British film industry was accused of ignoring issues and subject matter of those outside of the ‘white mainstream’. Recently films like ‘Bend it Like Beckham’, East is East, ‘Dirty Pretty Things’ and ‘Bullet Boy have begun to challenge British cultural stereotypes.

Analysis of Britishness- ‘Hot Fuzz’ Dir: Edgar Wright (2007)

• ‘Hot Fuzz’ is the second film by British director Edgar wright and writer/actor Simon Pegg after 2004’s zombie spoof ‘Shaun of the Dead’.

• ‘Hot Fuzz’ can be viewed either as a parody or a tribute to American ‘buddy’ action movies like ‘Lethal Weapon’ and ‘Bad Boys’.

• The film is an example of British hybrid culture, British set, with a British cast and with very British themes but encased in an all American style of action movie filmmaking.

• Task: make notes for a timed essay