There was a very enthusiastic atmosphere when we looked at British cinema with Freelance Film Educator Maggie Hoffgen on Wednesday night. I think that patriotism has been significantly boosted this past year, especially due to both Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 50th anniversary Bond film, Skyfall. Well, that last one might just be me - but there was a definitive chuckle around the room when we watched that iconic clip from Dr No, where Sean Connery delivers the line 'The name's Bond, James Bond' in a way that only Sean Connery could.
When the talk drifted to early British social realist films (like most conversations usually do), I thought I'd try to be knowledgeable about Ken Loach. So upon Maggie asking for examples of his films, I gave his most popular work (and the only one which I could remember), Kes. Then she asked when it was released. It was at this point that I remembered that I hadn't actually seen any of his films. I didn't want to crumble, especially in front of a well-educated film lecturer, and even though it would have probably been much easier to admit defeat, I thought I'd have a guess. "Late-60s, early 70s?" sprawled out of my mouth awkwardly before my brain had chance to apply maximum braking force. Due to this lucky guess (panic over), she kept telling me not to give any spoilers away from the film, and I kept feeling very nervous - by this stage I was in too deep to reveal my guilty secret. It was good that she didn't ask for any more information about the film as I don't think I would have been able to conjour up anything more. Phew. Until next time.
When the talk drifted to early British social realist films (like most conversations usually do), I thought I'd try to be knowledgeable about Ken Loach. So upon Maggie asking for examples of his films, I gave his most popular work (and the only one which I could remember), Kes. Then she asked when it was released. It was at this point that I remembered that I hadn't actually seen any of his films. I didn't want to crumble, especially in front of a well-educated film lecturer, and even though it would have probably been much easier to admit defeat, I thought I'd have a guess. "Late-60s, early 70s?" sprawled out of my mouth awkwardly before my brain had chance to apply maximum braking force. Due to this lucky guess (panic over), she kept telling me not to give any spoilers away from the film, and I kept feeling very nervous - by this stage I was in too deep to reveal my guilty secret. It was good that she didn't ask for any more information about the film as I don't think I would have been able to conjour up anything more. Phew. Until next time.
