What makes a british film? "In Bruges" Lizii Ridout

Eligibility of “In Bruges”

Story and Plot; the story is about too hit men In Bruges. The plot is that they have run away from England to hide out, only to find out that the main character has been set up and they are In Bruges so his fellow hit man can assonate him, in the end he doesn’t do it, because he can’t. He realises that he enjoys the company of Colin Farrell’s character. However the plot thickens. It turns out that he (Brendan Gleeson) then commits suicide after having fought with the control man at the top of the tower In Bruges.

This plot is not neccesssarily British, the characters are British and one of two of the settings is in England

Actors;
All the main actors in this film are British: -
Colin Farrell (Irish)
Brendan Gleeson (Irish)
Ralph Fiennes (English)

Filmography

Colin Farrell: There are no fairly recent films that Colin has been in apart from “In Bruges” that are considered to be British films.

Brendan Gleeson:
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” (filming)
“Into the Storm”
“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
“Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire”
“Kingdom of Heaven”
“Six shooter”
“Country of my Skull”
Etc. More can be found at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0322407/

Brendan Gleeson is Irish which is not necessarily British, however he does play mostly in British films and as mostly a British character. But having said that he does have several roles in US Movies.

Ralph Fiennes:
“The Duchess”
“Land of the Blind”
“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”
“The White Countess”
“Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were-Rabbit”
“The Constant Gardener”
“Chromophobia”
Etc. More can be found at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000146/

Ralph Fiennes is British and plays British characters in British films. Therefore adding to the 'Britishness' of the film.

Ralph Fiennes and Brendan Gleeson seem to be a common duo when it comes to casting of films; this is common in a lot of films. For example Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn star in almost every film together.

Director; Martin McDonagh is the director of “In Bruges” he is a British film director, having directed films such as “Six Shooter”. He is also a well known script writer. He wrote for both
“In Bruges” and “Six Shooter”.

"In Bruges" is one of two films which Martin McDonagh has directed, both of which are British films. All of his other work is also British and with him being British adds to the 'Britishness'

Style; This is a moody; cynical, serious, action thriller film with black humour.

It is hard from the style to say wether it is a British film. But it does have characteristics of a US film.

Genre; “In Bruges” is a dramatic thriller, similar to other films such as “Ronin” but other than this it is a fairly unique film. Comedy Crime Drama Thriller (Imbd.com)

"Ronin" is also considered a British movie but has several different nationality characters. Being unique could mean it is British but also i could suggest it is a US film.

Production Company; Blue Print Pictures produced “In Bruges”, Film4 funded “In Bruges”. All production companies and financiers are British.
Blue Print Pictures
Film4
Focus Features
Scion Films

The financiors of "In Bruges" and the production companies are also British therefore making it a British movie.

Distribution;
Focus Features (2008) (theatrical)
Ascot Elite Entertainment Group (2008) (theatrical)
BFD (2009) (theatrical)
Distribution Company (2008) (theatrical)
Gativideo (2009) (DVD)
Hollywood Classic Entertainment (2008) (theatrical)
Odeon (2008) (theatrical)
Paradise Group (2008) (all media)
Paris Filmes (2008) (theatrical)
Scanbox Entertainment (2008) (all media)
Shaw Organisation (2008) (theatrical)
TOBIS Film (2008) (theatrical)
Universal Home Entertainment (2008) (DVD)
Universal Pictures Benelux (2008) (DVD)
Universal Pictures International (UPI) (2008) (theatrical)
Universal Pictures International (UPI) (2008) (theatrical)
Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2008) (DVD)
Universum Film (UFA) (2009) (DVD)

Obviously distribution will be several nationalities, "In Bruges" was distributed initally by British distributers.

Exhibition;
Release Date:

17th January 2008 (USA)
18th April 2008 (UK)

Release Strategy: Cinema Exhibition - DVD

Suprisingly "In Bruges" was actually released in the US first a few months before the UK, why i dont know as yet but this i think is one massive give away (usually) as to wether a film is British or not.

Lizii......xxx

slumdog millionaire

1. A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers.
2. mainly the actors in this film are from Indian and actually from the slums, the main actor Dev Patel is English actor featuring in the well known TV series ‘skins’, he will draw an English audience to watch the film because they will know him form the TV series, one of the other main characters, the host of the TV show ‘who wants to be a millionaire’ is a well know bollywood actor called Anil kapoor, he will bring an Indian audience to watch the film because they will of seen him in films in India
3. Director-English-Danny Boyle, Co-Director- Indian-loveteen tandan
4. emotional
5. the genre we feel is, crime, drama, romance and bollywood
6. The production company is film 4 and fox searchlight.
7. distributors: pathé- international and Warner independent pictures-America
8. Released November 12 2008 but was going to be put straight on DVD.

BY @lex and friends

In Bruges (Josh, Lizzi & Beth)

Slumdog Millionaire

Introduction: What is a British Film?

Task 1

Man on wire
hunger
mamma mia
slumdog millionaire
in bruges


Task 2


What makes it British?

Director: Danny Boyle is a British director and film producer, best known for his work on films such as Trainspotting, Sunshine and 28 days later.
The film was funded and first viewed in England. The movie was financed in England and received funding from the British Film Council.
Even the distribution was mainly British and the main actor has, even though he is Indian, played in British TV dramas before (Skins) so is known in England.
The main reason why it is called a British movie is then, that apart from the filming, setting and the cast nearly everything is done in England.

What is different?

The main difference is, that the story plays in India and is all about India and Indian subject matters. It tells the story of a young man from the slums of Mumbai who appears on the Indian version of Who wants to be a Millionaire? The The film portays the poverty in india and the problems children in the slum have and so does not relate to England. Another thing is, that the co-director is indian,
Loveleen Tandan has only directed indian movies. Apart from Dev Patel who plays in Skins but is still born and raised in Mumbai, all the characters are fully indian and haven’t played in british TV Dramas or movies before. Even the style is very unusual for a british movie, as it shows the Indian poverty in a cruel light. I would not say that the genre is British either, as it is about the raise of a slumchild. It is a Drama, but that does not make it either british or Indian.















Marie Bertsch

What is a British Film?


Task 1

Nominations for Outstanding British Film:

Hunger
In Bruges
Man on wire
Mamma Mia
Slumdog millionaire

Task 2

Hunger

The story plot is about Bobby Sands, the Provisional Irish Republican Army member who led the 1981 Irish hunger strike and participated in the no wash protest in which Republican prisoners tried to win political status. It dramatises events in the Maze prison in the six weeks prior to Sands death.
The plot is related to the British subject matter as is about the IRA and Irish hunger strike.

Actors:

Those are the two main actors:
-Michael Fassbender (Bobby Sands) – he is born in Germany
-Stuart Graham (Ray Lohan) - born in 1967 in Northern Ireland, UK.

There aren’t any big stars used in this film.

Director:

Steve McQueen- an English artist and director of Hunger (2008) is born in 1969 in UK and is mainly known for his films. Steve McQueen is the winner of Turner Prize and BFATA. He grew up in London and went to Drayton Manor High School.
McQueen's films, which are typically projected onto one or more walls of an enclosed space in an art gallery, are often in black and white and minimalist.
His first major work was `` Bear`` in 1993. He is also the director of `` Deadpan`` in 1997. These films are both black and white and are also both silent.

Style :
The film ``Hunger`` is representing the frightening look at the life Maze prison during the IRA protests in 1981. The scenes represent a dark film which involves a lot of violence and gives a good representation of this painful period. It is a very emotional and serious film.


Genre: The film belongs to Drama/Historic genre.

Production Companies:
Channel 4 films, Broadcasting commission of Ireland.


Distribution:
It is distributed by Icon Entertainment and Pathe Distribution (UK)

Exhibition :
The film premiered at Cannes and it was released in the UK on 31st of October 2008.

Gergana

Are you Hungry?

Richard and Andrea

Hunger - Richard M-J, Andrea T

Story and plot:
This film is british because it's subject is the IRA and the war between ireland and britain, which is an important part of british history.

The final months of Bobby Sands, the Irish Republican Army activist who protested his treatment at the hands of British prison guards with a hunger strike, are chronicled in this historical drama, the first feature film from artist turned filmmaker Steve McQueen. Davey Gillen (Brian Milligan) is an IRA volunteer who is sentenced to Belfast's infamous Maze prison, where he shares a cell with fellow IRA member Gerry Campbell (Liam McMahon). Like most of the IRA volunteers behind bars, Gillen and Campbell are subjected to frequent violence by the guards, who in turn live with the constant threat of assassination at the hands of Republicans during their off hours. Campbell and Gillen are taking part in a protest in which they and their fellow IRA inmates are refusing to wear standard prison-issue uniforms as a protest against Ireland's refusal to recognize them as political prisoners, a move that is complicating their efforts to pass information among the other prisoners. As the protest fails to get results, one IRA member behind bars, Bobby Sands (Michael Fassbender), decides to take a different tack and begins a hunger strike, refusing to eat until Irish officials are willing to acknowledge the IRA as a legitimate political organization. However, while Sands' protest gains the attention both inside prison walls and in the international news, not everyone believes what he's doing is right, and Sands finds himself verbally sparring with a priest (Liam Cunningham) who questions the ethics and effectiveness of the strike. Hunger received its world premiere at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, where it was screened as part of the Un Certain Regard program.

Actors:
• Michael Fassbender .... Bobby Sands
• Liam Cunningham .... Priest
• Stuart Graham .... Ray Lohan
• Liam McMahon .... Gerry
• Lalor Roddy .... William
• Laine Megaw .... Mrs. Lohan
• Helena Bereen .... Ray's mother
• Aaron Goldring .... young Bobby

These all have an irish or English family connection

Director:
It is written by Enda Walsh and Steve McQueen, who also directed. Steve Mcqueen was born and raised in London. His first major work was Bear (1993), in which two naked men (one of them McQueen) exchange a series of glances which might be taken to be flirtatious or threatening. One of his best known works, Deadpan (1997), is a restaging of a Buster Keaton stunt in which a house collapses around McQueen who is left unscathed because he is standing where there is a missing window.

As well as being in black and white, both these films are silent. The first of McQueen's films to use sound was also the first to use multiple images: Drumroll (1998).

Style:

We would describe this film as emotional, serious, striking, controversial.

Genre:
Political drama/thriller

It was made by Blast! Films and commissioned by Channel 4 and Film4. It premiered at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, winning the prestigious Caméra d'Or award for first-time filmmakers.It went on to win the Sydney Film Prize at the Sydney Film Festival, best picture by the Evening Standard British Film Awards, and received 2 BAFTA nominations, winning one. The film was also nominated for 4 awards at the 2009 IFTA's winning 2 at the event.

MAN ON WIRE - Laz

Task 2

Story and Plot: What is the film about? Does it relate to British subject matter?
The film is a documentary about a French tight rope walker who illegally rigged a wire between New York’s twin towers, when halfway, he was arrested and sent to prison for 6 years and psychologically evaluated. As he served his time in prison, he planned to do the walk again, this time however it was far more precisely planned. The film follows the life of Philippe Petit, and the people who helped him achieve the artistic crime of the century. The film does not relate to British subject matter in any way, as it’s about a French man, and the setting is in New York.
Actors: What nationality? Are stars used in the film?
As the film is a documentary, the main characters are played by themselves, most French or American, however, some of the less involved characters are played by actors
Director: Who is the director of the film? What nationality are they? Do you know of any other films they have directed?
James Marsh directed the film, he is British, and has also directed other films such as Nineteen Eighty, The King, and Wisconsin Death Trip.
Style: How would you characterise the style of the film?
The style of the film is unusual because it’s a documentary, it involves actual film footage from the seventies, some re-enactments, and a large number of photos. In some parts it is also quite funny.

Mamma Mia

Introduction: What is British film?

Task 2:
In a group, choose one of these films to research and discover what you think made them eligible for the British film award nomination. You should consider:
Story and plot: What is the film about? Does it relate to British subject matter?
Set on a colorful Greek island
ABBA songs.
A young woman, Sophie about to be married discovers that any one of three men could be her father. She invites all three to the wedding without telling her mother.
Her mother, Donna, was once the lead singer of Donna and the Dynamos.
In the meantime, Donna has invited her backup singers, Rosie and Tanya.
During a batchelor party, the two men also conclude that they could be the father, and separately, each tells Sophie that he will be the one to give her away at the wedding. Surrounded by her mother, her fiancé, and all three potential fathers, Sophie faints over her dilemma.
During the wedding ceremony, Donna finally mentions the "father" issue, and the secrets begin unravelling: all three potential fathers publicly claim be Sophie's father and agree to happily take a 'third' each.
Sophie and Sky decide to postpone the wedding, as Sky wanted all along, and to take a trip around the world together.
Sam proposes to Donna, revealing that after falling for her two decades previously, he had to go back to England to break off his engagement
No settings and few actors are british, so it is more of a world wide film.
Actors: What nationality? Are stars used in the film?
Majority of the main characters are American, with some British, who are the well known stars. The ‘extra’s’ are Greek.
Director: Who is the director of the film? What nationality are they? Do you know any other films that they have directed?
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Nationality: British
Other films they have directred: no films, but a TV programme-Gloriana.

Style: How would you characterise the style of the film?
Style: colourful, vibrant type of film which is enjoyable.
Genre: Does it belong to a specific genre? If so which? Does it remind you of any other films?
Comedy, Music and Romance.
Production company: Who financed the film? Where is the production company based? Is it a co-production from different countries? Did any of the films receive funding from the Film Council?
Financed the film : Universal Pictures-based in Hollywood.
Distribution: Who promoted the film? Where and how was it promoted?
Promoted by Universal through their own promotion companies.
Exhibition: When was it released? What kind of release strategy did it have, how many prints were available? What was the competition?
Released: 10 July 2008 (UK)
Release Stratergy: One of the first films to be released straight from cinema to blue-ray
Competitors: Dark Knight, Kung Fu Panda

The reason why this film is British is because:
3 of the main characters are from England, and one from Ireland.
The director is British.


Emily and sophie

Tom Sarjant - Eleanore Louise Cummings - Smeleanor Graves

Introduction: What is a British Film?

Mamma Mia

Tom Sarjant:

Set on a colourful Greek island, the plot serves as a background for a wealth of ABBA songs. A young woman about to be married discovers that any one of three men could be her father. She invites all three to the wedding without telling her mother, Donna, who was once the lead singer of Donna and the Dynamos. In the meantime, Donna has invited her backup singers, Rosie and Tanya.

The film has both British and American actors so isn’t in that way British. The story line doesn’t portray British stereotypes – it is a romantic comedy based on Abba songs which is not British, it’s Swedish.

The cast is a mix between British and American and some other nationalities such as Swedish actors/actresses. There are some very famous names on the cast such as Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth as well as other less well known actors/actresses.

The Director of Mamma Mia! is Phyllida Lloyd. She also directed Gloriana in 2000. Phyllida Lloyd (born 17 June 1957) is an English director, best known for her work in theatre. In 2006, Lloyd received two academic honours: Oxford University named her Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre, and she was awarded an honorary degree from Bristol University. She was also named one of the 100 most influential gay and lesbian people in Britain by the Independent.

In 1999 Lloyd was offered the chance to direct the ABBA musical Mamma Mia!, which became a hit, not only in the West End and on Broadway, but worldwide. She directed the 2008 cinematic adaptation, which marked her feature debut. By the end of 2008, the film had been certified as the biggest grossing British film of all time at the UK box office. It was also certified as the UK's biggest-selling DVD of all time.


4. The style of Mamma Mia is different to the conventional film. It is an adaptation of a musical and a mix between a musical and a film. It is a happy film in terms of atmosphere and has a light hearted story line. The film is clearly popular with many age groups and social classes as it smashed many British records in terms of sales. However it is not characteristically British.

Eleanore-Louise Cummings:

The genre of Mamma Mia is romantic comedy musical. The other films it reminds me of is The Producer which also fit into this category.
The following things connect to why it is a musical romantic comedy:
The Following are Production companies financed Mamma Mia :
Universal Pictures (presents) , Littlestar Productions (as Littlestar), Relativity Media (in association with) , Playtone, Internationale Film production Richter.#
Most of the filming was done on the small Greek island of Skopelos (during August/September 2007),[8] and the seaside hamlet of Damouchari in the Pelion area of Greece. On Skopelos, Kastani beach on the south west coast was the film's main location site.[8] The producers built a beach bar and jetty along the beach, but removed them both when they left.[8]
Other parts of the film were produced on the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios, where lighting and temperature could be controlled. Production offices for the film were based at Pinewood Studios.
The part of the film where two of the characters miss the last ferry to the island was filmed at the old port of Skiathos.
Both composers, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, appear in minor, uncredited roles in the film. Andersson, dressed as a fisherman, plays the piano in "Dancing Queen" as the cast dances; Ulvaeus is a Greek god (with lyre) showering the girls with gold dust during the closing credits.
Actress Meryl Streep had taken opera singing lessons as a child, and as an adult, she had previously sung in several movies, including Postcards from the Edge, Silkwood, and A Prairie Home Companion.[9]
The Mamma Mia! trailer was released the week of December 10, 2007 first on Entertainment Tonight, then released to the internet. A high quality version can be found on the film's official site.

Eleanor Graves:


Introduction: What is a British Film?

Task 1:

MAN ON WIRE HUNGER IN BRUGES MAMMA MIA! SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Task 2:

Distribution
Hostess is partnered with Universal Pictures for a blockbuster promotion of Mamma Mia

Where and how was it promoted?
Hostess(R) is partnering with Universal Pictures for a blockbuster promotion that brings together America's favorite smart snacking sweet treat – Hostess 100 Calorie Packs – and one of the most anticipated theatrical releases of the summer – the musical romantic comedy Mamma Mia! In connection with the film's theatrical release, Hostess is offering the chance to win a Mamma Mia!-themed grand prize that includes a VIP trip to Las Vegas for six with travel and accommodations, $1,000 spending money, VIP backstage passes to the Las Vegas stage version of the musical and more. In addition, 10,000 first prize winners will receive "Movie Money Tickets" with over 200 winners per day

Exhibition:
Mamma Mia was released in London 30 June 2008, it released over 5 million copies since being released in November 2008 on DVD, 10 copies being sold every second. The competition was The dark knight,
On November 24, Mamma Mia! became the fastest-selling DVD of all time in the UK, according to Official UK Charts Company figures. It sold 1,669,084 copies on its first day of release, breaking the previous record (held by Titanic) by 560,000 copies. By the end of 2008, The Official UK Charts Company declared it had become the biggest selling DVD ever in the UK, with one in every four households owning a copy (over 5 million copies sold).[36] The record was previously held by Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl with sales of 4.7 million copies.
On November 26, 2008, Mamma Mia! became the best-selling DVD in Finland, by selling 110,000 copies and is the first DVD to earn a platinum award in that country.
In the United States the DVD made over $30 million on its first day of release.[37]
By December 31, 2008, Mamma Mia! had become the best-selling DVD of all time in Sweden with 545,000 copies sold.[38]
The DVD was released as a single-disc edition and a two-disc special edition.


Love to all xoxo Gossip Girl

What is a British Film?

Task 1:
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards, sometimes referred to as the British Oscars, have an Outstanding British Film category. Go to their current Film Awards page and list the titles of the films that were nominated for this award, as well as the winner.

Task 2:
In a group, choose one of these films to research and discover what you think made them eligible for the British film award nomination. You should consider:

1. Story and plot: What is the film about? Does it relate to British subject matter?
2. Actors: What nationality? Are stars used in the film?
3. Director: Who is the director of the film? What nationality are they? Do you know any other films that they have directed?
4. Style: How would you characterise the style of the film?
5. Genre: Does it belong to a specific genre? If so which? Does it remind you of any other films?
6. Production company: Who financed the film? Where is the production company based? Is it a co-production from different countries? Did any of the films receive funding from the Film Council?
7. Distribution: Who promoted the film? Where and how was it promoted?
8. Exhibition: When was it released? What kind of release strategy did it have, how many prints were available? What was the competition?

Use the following sites to help you: IMDB , ScreenOnline , the UK Film Council , plus the specific sites for the films themselves.

If possible, find a clip of the film on Youtube and add it to the blog.

Introduction

This is the blog where AS-level Media Studies students from Bromsgrove School can post their notes and findings about the British Film Industry, in preparation for Part B of the "Key Concepts" examination.