History of British Film Qs

The Film Industry - Part 4 History of British Film Since 1984

Q1. What are the main genres produced by the UK film industry in the last 25 years? Try and think of some more recent examples from the last few years. Who do you think goes to see these types of films?

• Two of the main British film production companies:
• At DNA films, the film industry seems to have produced a lot more grittier, low budget films such as '28 Days Later' and 'The History Boys.' These types of films would probably be seen by 20 year old up at art-house/indie cinemas.
• At Pathe films they have a much wider range and higher success rate of their films meaning that (depending on the film) they are shown everywhere; multiplexes, art house etc. Recently, they range with '127 Hours', 'The Iron Lady' and 'Kidulthood.'

Q2. DNA Films last two productions were Dredd 3D (2012) and Never Let Me Go (2010). What kind of films are they? How are they different from earlier films? Have they been successful at the box office?

• Dredd seems to be much more sci-fi and more of an action game rather than a film. It's computerisation's and characters (all American) seem to be more like a Hollywood production rather than a British one.
• Never Let Me Go seems to be a lot more sculpted in the shots and settings, giving a more glossy and Hollywood look rather than an edgy, more gritty feel. It also contains much more famous actors in it, possibly showing Hollywood has a stronger hold on the making of this film. However, the plotline seems to feature a British feel of love and romance within a brother and sisterly relationship, possibly similar to earlier films like Sense and Sensibility etc.

Q3. Summarise in your own words what kind of films Momentum Pictures look to distribute and why? Go to their website for more recent examples. 

Looking at their recent releases on their website, it looks as if Momentum Pictures is trying to distribute films with an obvious touch of Hollywood. For example, their current films in cinema such as 'Gambit', 'Quartet' and 'Seven Psychopaths' all contain huge stars such as Cameron Diaz, Christopher Walken and Dame Maggie Smith. They also all seem to show glossy, fast-paced editing which is similar to Hollywood films. 

W.H.