David Cameron has today revealed another impressive bow to his string. Not only is he a 'Visionary Leader' (tm) Steering our country through 'Tough times' (tm) left 'by the previous Labour Government' (T-Fucking-M). No... He is also a genius of the film industry.
Well I never.
Ok... I'm about to do a hideous simplification here, but what do you expect from a blog? Rigorously researched unbiased reportage? If so, go to the science/skeptic blogs. This is a political/opinion blog and since I recently decribed Ed Miliband as moving like: 'Two Octopus's wrestling in a man suit' I think D-Cam is fair game for some ribbing.
His tip for the British film industry seems to be: Try to make more Mainstream, successful films.
Genius eh? Nobody ever thought of that did they. Who knows what other, life changing ideas may follow?
England's football success? Score more and Better Goals!
The problems of Industry? Make better products, faster and cheaper!
See... This politics lark is simple.
Perhaps most amusing to me is the film that has been used to illustrate the point: The King's Speech. Basically it follows the 'classic' structure for a 'Sports Movie', except with speech impediments to overcome rather than a big game to win (and thus save the community centre from the evil developer who wants to knock it down and etc etc etc)
Now... On paper NOBODY on the planet would have that pegged for the British Success story of the year. No. If you were looking at easy Mainstream Success you'd threaten Hugh Grant with the tower if he refused to be in 4 weddings part 2 (4 weddings, a funeral, a hacking inquiry and a terrified new-mother perhaps?)
Speaking as an artist. (Which means speaking a bit like a twat, which I also am) You always angle for some kind of 'popular acceptance'. I compose electronic music, I accept it has a fairly niche appeal. (you can listen by clicking the buttons somewhere on this blog. Go on... Be the first)
That isn't how I conceive it. Every album or track I've produced I've fully wished (if not entirely expected) to set the commercial world alight, to win 'nuff awards and see me set up with lucrative advertising contracts for life. It has yet to happen, but that isn't because I'm ruthlessly avoiding the mainstream or the commercial. It's just because I don't fit that ever changing picture. I probably never will. I'm not a good enough composer.
There is no formula for mainstream success, and that goes double for cinema. Look at Heaven's Gate. That had Oscar winners, Epic scope and a huge publicity machine. It sunk an entire studio.
Conversely, look at Shallow Grave, or Reservoir Dogs. Essentially little more than (Admittedly beautiful) one set, Movie-Plays both changed the cinema landscape forever and brought us maverick talents on small budgets, and with no nod to the 'Fashion' of the time.
Then again, maybe David C DOES have a secret formula. Somehow I doubt it. If he did, Hollywood would have 'done a Kim Jong Il and had him kidnapped to LA, where he would be forced to make massively successful movies forever, thus becoming the most powerful and wealthy man who ever lived for taking the gamble out of what is famously the most risky of industries...
Or maybe it was just a soundbite to connect him in voters minds with The Kings Speech, a genuine British Success story and something to be very proud of.
Specially since they were asked to do a less-sweary version and answered with a Great British: Fuck Off!
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