Barriers to Diversity in Film – A Research Review – Aug 07
Barriers to Diversity in Film – A Research Review – Aug 07
Barriers to Diversity in Film – A Research Review – Aug 07
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certa<strong>in</strong> comedy films (Borat). Comedy (The Holiday) and drama films<br />
with females <strong>in</strong> lead<strong>in</strong>g roles were high on the list of films with large<br />
female audience shares (The Devil Wears Prada, The Queen, The Break<br />
up) <strong>to</strong>gether with romantic drama (Brokeback Mounta<strong>in</strong>) and animation<br />
(Chicken Little and Happy Feet). In 2006, the younger age groups<br />
preferred action, animation and comedy films while drama appealed<br />
more <strong>to</strong> the over 35s. These f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs were consistent with previous<br />
years (UK <strong>Film</strong> Council Statistical Yearbook 2006/<strong>07</strong>).<br />
The UK <strong>Film</strong> Council carried out some focus groups on audiences and<br />
genre <strong>in</strong> 2006. They found that admiration for British films was more<br />
marked among film enthusiasts than other people. A higher<br />
proportion of respondents <strong>in</strong> Manchester than <strong>in</strong> London said they<br />
enjoyed British films, reflect<strong>in</strong>g the regional nature of Britishness <strong>in</strong><br />
films. The respondents <strong>in</strong> this survey classified films along four<br />
genres:<br />
• War films (different from American war movies it was thought)<br />
• Versions of classics such as Pride and Prejudice<br />
• Romantic comedies (often starr<strong>in</strong>g Hugh Grant, <strong>in</strong> which<br />
archetypal Englishness was crucial <strong>to</strong> the humour)<br />
• S<strong>to</strong>ries of pluck and determ<strong>in</strong>ation (Kes, Billy Elliott, The Full<br />
Monty) set <strong>in</strong> regional /social situations and often represent<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the work<strong>in</strong>g class. These films were not regarded as formulaic,<br />
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