I find the latest ruling from a Paris court regarding Jean-Pierre
Jeunet's (fdirector of Amelie) latest film completely astounding.
The court has ruled that film is not 'French' enough and thus is not eligible for the state funding it received nor allowed to be entered into a number of film prizes such as Cannes.
The film, which has french actors (including Audrey Tautou who was the star in Amelie) and crew and was filmed in France, fell under scrutiny when producers associations in France claimed it should not get state funding because the production house was Warner Brothers France which is a subsidary of the US giant. Jeunet claimed this was a cynical ploy by French production houses to protect their slice of the pie in the home grown market and keep out competition. He also warned the decision could harm the French film industry as other overseas investors would think twice about funding French based films.
The ruling is all the more extraordinary when you consider that Oliver Stone's latest Hollywood Blockbuster 'Alexander', starring Colin Farrel. received French funding but was not filmed in France nor did it use French actors. But Oliver Stone's mother is French and he used a post-production house based in Paris so he qualified. Go Figure!!!
Anyway, I can't wait to see Jeunet's 'A Very Long Engagement' as Amelie is one of my all-time favourite films.
Film Rules "Not French Enough" (BBC News Online; Saturday 27th November 2004)
The court has ruled that film is not 'French' enough and thus is not eligible for the state funding it received nor allowed to be entered into a number of film prizes such as Cannes.
The film, which has french actors (including Audrey Tautou who was the star in Amelie) and crew and was filmed in France, fell under scrutiny when producers associations in France claimed it should not get state funding because the production house was Warner Brothers France which is a subsidary of the US giant. Jeunet claimed this was a cynical ploy by French production houses to protect their slice of the pie in the home grown market and keep out competition. He also warned the decision could harm the French film industry as other overseas investors would think twice about funding French based films.
The ruling is all the more extraordinary when you consider that Oliver Stone's latest Hollywood Blockbuster 'Alexander', starring Colin Farrel. received French funding but was not filmed in France nor did it use French actors. But Oliver Stone's mother is French and he used a post-production house based in Paris so he qualified. Go Figure!!!
Anyway, I can't wait to see Jeunet's 'A Very Long Engagement' as Amelie is one of my all-time favourite films.
Film Rules "Not French Enough" (BBC News Online; Saturday 27th November 2004)
Profile
angusabranson- Angus Abranson
- Chronicle City
Comments
Don't expect another Amelie though, even though its Jeunet and Tautou. I read the Japrisot book a few years ago (in English though - its a bit tough for my French) and its more akin to Birdsong (if you read the Seb Faulks book) than any of Jeunets previous works.