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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 />

C:\Documents and Sett<strong>in</strong>gs\mcorless\Desk<strong>to</strong>p\Intranet\<strong>Barriers</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Diversity</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Film</strong>_DS_RB 20 <strong>Aug</strong><br />

<strong>07</strong>.doc<br />

98

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