23/04/2008

Hours after part of the Cannes line-up was announced, where it was revealed that not a single British film is in the main competition, the UK Film Council (UKFC) has reacted, putting on a brave face.

A UKFC official spokesperson said: “It’s great news that Terence Davies’ Of Time and the City has been selected as part of the official line-up at the Cannes film festival. It was filmed in Liverpool – Europe’s capital of culture – and has been co-funded by the UK Film Council and NorthWest Vision and Media.”

“Brighton born filmmaker Thomas Clay’s Soi Cowboy will also be shown in the Un Certain Regard section and Sam Taylor Wood’s short film Love You More written by Patrick Marber and produced by Anthony Minghella has been selected for the short film competition. The full Cannes selection has not yet been announced and the film industry is hopeful that the Director’s Fortnight and Critics Week will also have selected British films.”

“People shouldn’t get too hung up on the fact that there are no British films in the main competition section – ultimately it comes down to what films are ready in time plus different trends and tastes each year for what is essentially an auteur film festival. Let’s not forget that only two years ago, British films took the top two prizes at Cannes and this year has already been a great success with the best year ever for British films at the Sundance film festival.”

It remains to be seen whether British cinema will fare better in the Director’s Fortnight and Critics Week selections.