There is still a lot be said for British directors and film makers who have to operate in an ever more competitive cinematic landscape. With so much Asian and, so-called, world cinema on British big screens - as well as the regular output from Hollywood - it is easy to think that British voices are lost in the mix sometimes. However, there’s a long tradition of peculiarly UK voices, like Ken Loach or Shane Meadows, who continue to turn out high quality films which have something to say about the British way of life.
Of course, there is also a similarly long tradition of British film makers plying their trade in the Hollywood system. The likes of British born Ridley Scott, who probably made the best US road movie ever in Thelma and Louise, seem at home in the American studio system, despite sometimes lacking the independence of those directors who remain working in the UK. Christopher Nolan is another well-known British director that US and European audiences lap up – and one who is making very Hollywood movies, having taken on both the Batman and Superman franchises. Both are following in the footsteps of greats like Alfred Hitchcock, offering subtle British influences into films that are undoubtedly American in content and flavour. Even a British director like Danny Boyle is able to do the same thing – reflecting Bollywood in the same way as those working in Hollywood - with his Oscar winning success, Slumdog Millionaire.
These days, British based movie productions still make it to the big screen, usually with Arts Council and Lottery funding, or with the support of broadcasters like Canal+ or the BBC. However, despite the popular and critical success of some of these films, like The King’s Speech, many remain off the radar of the general cinema going public. Check out the new film releases at Cineworld and smaller, independent cinemas to keep abreast of the latest in British films and offerings from UK directors. Every so often a British film will cut through into the popular consciousness, but British film makers do still suffer a little from under exposure. Take the example of the excellent Richard Ayoade who is still probably still best known by the UK public for his comic acting and featuring in TV panel shows, rather than for his directorial skills, on display in films like Submarine.
On the other hand, British film makers can achieve relatively modest hits with their movies but go on to get picked up by the Hollywood mainstream. For example, British born Joe Cornish’s movie Attack The Block lead to him being picked up on a Spielberg blockbuster project as a writer. Another good example of this phenomenon is Andrea Arnold. After only two low budget mini movies, she had won prizes at the Cannes Film Festival as well picking up an award from BAFTA. With the likes of other up and coming creative UK directors such as Eran Creevy, Ben Wheatley and Crispian Mills, then the future of British film directing looks like it is in as good health as ever it was. Just make sure you don’t miss out on catching their movies where they should be experience – on the big screen.