Comments on: British Films

By: TC

TC — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 18:17:54 +0000

Newmania:

Regarding the “…bed wetting film students” I would probably agree with you, but don’t be tempted to include all British filmmakers among their number.

You mention that free trade is a good thing. Well yes it is, but if you look at the level of support than many other countries give to their own indigenous film industries (particularly in Europe), the state funding of their industries is clearly having a detrimental effect on Britain’s ability to compete in this field. Believe it or not British filmmakers don’t like having to ask for support to help keep our film (and television) industry alive. What they really want is a level playing field, but until that playing field is truly level (which it ain’t) then tax incentives to encourage film production (indigenous and foreign) in the UK can only be a good thing.

As to your idea of the “flabby self regarding quagmire of determinedly parochial cures for insomnia that is the output of the British Film Industry…” I’m surprised to see you singling out the English Patient which has resulted in a large degree of critical acclaim and financial success for the producers. Perhaps there is somewhere else that we should bang that proverbial nail…

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By: Auntie Flo'

Auntie Flo' — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 22:17:30 +0000

Iain Dale is asking for votes for right wing blogger of the year – Boris is a nominee:

http://www.iaindale.blogspot.com/

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By: newmania

newmania — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:26:06 +0000

Good job I added that last bit then Flo.

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By: Auntie Flo'

Auntie Flo' — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 18:54:26 +0000

FLO Perhaps I can help . Simply tell the vegetarian to stop being such a ridiculous posturing pain in the arse and shove a large greasy leg of Turkey in his/her gob .!! I cannot abide these aetiolated wraiths that spoil the good cheer by sucking beans and water. A good slap works wonders…(Er……. present company excepted and anyone else I happen to like but is misguided on this matter) (newmania)

Thank you, newmania, however, the vegetarian turkey is for my daughter and myself. I know you won’t believe this, but Christmas lunch with vegetarian turkey or vegetarian beef and all the trimmings tastes just as good as your carnivore version.

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By: newmania

newmania — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 16:23:09 +0000

Simon , of course talking a load of hard earned tax payers money and handing over to a whining herd of bed wetting film students trained at the taxpayers expense will appear to have beneficial effect on the BOP, so would any government grant . I have already made my point that the corrosive effect of state funding has reduced the British Film Industry to an international embarrassment . As a place to outsource Hollywood product it works well enough.

. To understand why this is economically bad for the country you would have to understand something about why free trade is a good thing ; the rationale, if there is any behind the EU and behind the problem of funding films .In reality the EU is a protectionist organisation operated for and on behalf of the French and Germans but leaving that aside….

State funding of products allows them to undercut other fairly produced products. While this will clearly seem to suck foreign currency in equally clearly it is diverting resources from efficient areas of production into inefficient ones. It will also have that effect in the country being cheated and operates precisely like a trade barrier. Both countries forfeit comparative advantage and are therefore poorer. Standard stuff I know .

To be honest my main objection is to the flabby self regarding quagmire of determinedly parochial cures for insomnia that is the output of the “British Film Industry”. The English Patient …..what a good reason to bang a nail slowly and deliberately into your left temple .

(Er……. present company excepted and anyone else I happen to like but is misguided on this matter)

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By: Auntie Flo'

Auntie Flo' — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 12:28:43 +0000

Right now, I feel like saying, stuff the turkeys

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By: Auntie Flo'

Auntie Flo' — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 12:01:47 +0000

My daughter and I have to cook two christmas lunches, Jaq, one for vegetarians, the other for carnivores. I’m panicking about both at present.

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By: lilliansum

lilliansum — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:16:42 +0000

I would rather no tax payers money was used to fund the British film industry if they are pouring thousands of pounds into films like “The Great Ecstacy of Robert Carmichael”.
This was the British entry at Cannes in 2005 and has graced some of the other European Festivals.
The film maker, Thomas Clay aged 26, has posted comments on his forum about how Britain is a philistine isle; if he was given money by the BFC to make this trash then I guess he is right.
I will not upset your Christmas with spoilers about the film, except to say, if this is this is supposed to be a representation of British film making at its best then may the industry rot in hell.

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By: Jaq

Jaq — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 09:43:25 +0000

Flo – you’re right, I think there’s pressure to feel ‘jolly’ rather than slightly frazzled in that oh my God I’ve forgotton the turkey kinda way.

note to self: get turkey.

Jack Ramsey – Merry Christmas honey to you and your mem-sahib x

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By: Auntie Flo'

Auntie Flo' — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:37:45 +0000

newmania said:

IS THIS SITE LOSING FOCUS ? NOT SURE WHERE TO FIND ANYONE ANY MORE

As Melissa says, we’re still here, sort of. Am I the only one who’s started a few postings recently, then deleted them, thinking, nope, I’d better not post that?
…[Ed: Flo' it must be this invasive time of year that is derailing so many of us...mel]

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