23/04/2009

The UK Film Council (UKFC) has lauded the choice of British cinema at this year’s Cannes Official Competition. Andrea Arnold’s Fish Tank [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Andrea Arnold
film profile] is a UK production, while Ken Loach’s Looking For Eric [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Cannes 2009
Ken Loach
interview: Steve Evets - actor
film profile] is an UK/French co-production and Jane Campion’s Bright Star [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] an UK/Australia co-production.

All three films will compete for the Palm D’Or while American-born naturalized British citizen Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus will show Out of Competition.

UKFC CEO John Woodward, said, “British film is flying right now. This year’s Cannes line-up shows that the British industry is delivering world-class cinema, which complements the kind of commercial success that was recognised at the Oscars earlier this year”.

“It’s significant that both Jane Campion’s Bright Star and Andrea Arnold’s Fish Tank were funded with public money. Film Council funding helped develop the scripts and finance the films, and the BBC was a key player. This demonstrates the absolutely vital role that public funding plays in getting independent films made in an increasingly tough economic climate.

“Many congratulations to Ken Loach, one of our most established filmmakers, represented at Cannes yet again with Looking for Eric, and Terry Gilliam with The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.”

The UKFC’s New Cinema Fund Head Lenny Crooks, said, “Andrea Arnold and Jane Campion are two very important and highly individual filmmakers, and their selection this year is indicative of the incredible energy and creativity that characterises British filmmaking. These distinctive filmmakers will ensure that British talent at every stage shines at Cannes this year.”