At first, my article was going to deal with recommendations of British films that have to be seen, at least, once in a lifetime. But, after thinking and asking around me about British films, I finally asked myself if British cinema still has its identity.
How many times has it happened to you that you have not been able to distinguish if the film you have watched was British or American? Some will say “a very few times” because, of course, it can be distinguished by actors’ accents. Others will say that this has happened many times because usually we cannot find the difference. In fact, it is hard to know if a movie is British or American because when there are American actors playing in a British film, we will spontaneously think that it is an American one. All this paradox can be summed up in the cinematographic influence that the United States has on the United Kingdom.
We all know that the cinema of United Kingdom has had a great influence on the technological, commercial and artistic development of cinema and is one of the most respected film industries in the world. Despite having a history full of successful productions (you only need to watch movies as Harry Potter or James Bond), the British film industry is characterized by a debate about its identity and the influences of American and European cinema.
The British market is not enough developed for the British film industry to successfully produce Hollywood-style blockbusters for a sustained period. Compared to the United States, the British film industry has been able to produce very few international commercial successes on a continuous way. For many people, this is the consequence of Hollywood providing work for British directors, actors, writers, production team and making British stories into American films. For others, it is a consequence of the involvement of American actors in British films and also the fact that most of the money to shoot a film comes, especially, from Hollywood which is often seen as a threat and distortion of the British film culture.
To conclude, my point of view is that I am convinced of the immense cinematography influence that the United States has on all countries and that this country "chooses" to get involved or participate with another country (in this case the United Kingdom) in the filmography of many films. That opens the way of the American and world markets to the British film industry, limited to the participation of a few. It is true that the UK film industry has strengthened and gained international recognition and that is why this influence with respect to its identity is not negative, but positive.
What do you think? Does the
American industry monopolize the cinema? Has British cinema lost its identity
or, on the contrary, is it being complemented?
Amanda Maruny Paz
EPD 11 Group 3
Reviewed by Maïssane Bel Kanadil
Reviewed by Maïssane Bel Kanadil
Hi Amanda. It is true that the American industry monopolizes the cinema. When you go to the cinema, the majority of the movies are from the United States. However, other cinema industries are trying to break through, like Bolywood in India. As for the British cinema, even if it seems less important compared to the American cinema, we can't deny that the British released blockuster movies too. Consequently, I think the British cinema is complementary to the American cinema and that both are leading the film industry worldwide.
ReplyDeleteMarina Hill.
Hi, Marina, I like your views. Yes, they are maybe complementary becuase they provide different perspectives and styles. I hadn't thought of it from this angle. However, I'm sure you all know more British Films than what you think. We'll watch one in class, in a few weeks.
DeleteHi Amanda, I totally see your point! The way I see it, American industry monopolizes the cinema in all aspects (directors, actors, blockbuster movies...) the rest of te world seems minimized in coparison to America when talking about cinema.
ReplyDeleteHowever, while reading your post, a really great British film I have recently seen came to my mind, it is called ''This is England'' and also (although it has nothing to do with cinema) one of my favourite TV series: ''Skins''
I hope you enjoy my suggestions and if you already knew about them let me know your toughts!
Sofia G
Also, as a TV series, there is one that I love, Broadchurch. If you like thrillers or intrigue, you won't regret it. A very subversive TV series that will keep you hooked is Black Mirror (it is in Netflix). I'll give you more options as the names come to my mind.
DeleteInteresting, Amanda. Yes, sometimes both film industries have converged, but others, they have kept separate from each other. Films such as The Danish Girl (2015, I think), the Theory of Everything, The King's Speech (2010), The Hours (2002) or Shakespeare in Love (2002) are just stunning, all of them British an all of them are award-winning films. I hope you find this information interesting!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThe first films you mentioned are two of my favorites. I saw both at the cinema and they are wonderful. Eddie Redmayne is an incredible and a very versatile actor. What a wonderful discovery for British cinema!
DeleteI love seeing films and the most of the time the best films are American and English. It is true that the American industry has a lot of power but there are many differents between English and American films. American films try to collect a lot of money and many English films are not knwon. But nowadays is very difficult to distinguish them.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion they are complemented and that is good because we can have the best of them in one film.
I really love American and English films and TV series. However, I find it difficult to watch English films because those who I like the most are American! Thus, I think American industry monopolize the cinema but I believe English films have their own identity too. Great post to think about this situation! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteFrancisco Jesús García Carrillo EPD 12 (Group 5)