Tag: British Film
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Notes on a Scandal.
Notes on a Scandal, is a story within a story. A female teacher’s affair with a fifteen year old student, and the consequences of this, is merely a backdrop for the real tale of one woman’s agonising loneliness. Barbara is a stern and well respected teacher, nearing retirement. Her bitterly cold approach to teaching is…
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Cinema: A Luxury.
Recently, I was given a £20 Amazon voucher; a generous present from close friends, congratulating me on my graduation. Instinctively, I immediately ordered several films with the voucher – excited to purchase and own some new films. I have previously written about my personal film collection and its importance to me. Buying new films is…
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Children of the Damned.
Horror and science fiction merge effortlessly in 1960 British classic Village of the Damned. Creepy blonde haired children, whose terrifying powers threaten humanity, must be stopped after they take over a small English village. In 1964 the ‘sort of’ sequel was released. Children of the Damned assumes you have seen its predecessor and plunges instantly into a follow up…
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A Field in England.
When I finally got round to watching Kill List several months ago, I began to fall slightly in love with Ben Wheatley’s ability to not only direct films but his audience. Despite leaving me utterly bewildered and unsure about what I had just witnessed, Kill List was admirable and exciting. Two years later Wheatley has returned with his boldest…
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Paddy’s Paradise.
“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin” – William Shakespeare When I occasionally have the privilege of watching independent films made by aspiring film directors, I am reminded of the beauty and addiction of cinema. Despite my personal disinterest and inability to make my own films, I am amazed at the dedication, commitment…
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Vera Drake.
Mike Leigh is known for his individual and ambitious approach to character creation and film making. As one of his most stylised films, Vera Drake possibly demonstrates this the most clearly. Taking months at a time to develop character back story and personality, Leigh’s character are usually firmly in place before any kind of script or plot.…
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Shame.
Director Steve McQueen and actor Michael Fassbender are proving to be one of Britain’s most flourishing collaborations. After the critical success of their first project Hunger, there was room for the duo to explore new territory. Fassbender brings a bleakness to the films of McQueen; a genuine sense of desperation that is usually so hard to capture.…
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The Fierce, Fierce Film Four.
This entry is taken from a recent presentation I gave, as part of a group, on the company Film Four. In 1982, Channel 4 was asked to help the British film industry by starting up a department that could help build a new relationship between British cinema and British television. Since the glory days of…
Hannah McHaffie 