Eureka awards at Cannes

[gregory starr]

>> -----Original Message-----
>>
>> The fact that the Japanese press reported the opposite is telling.  As is
>> the case with film criticism here in general, few professional
>> critics/reporters, especially from the newspapers, take a critical (one
>> could say realistic) stance towards Japanese films, perhaps from the
>> mistaken impression that Japanese films need support, but more likely
>> from the fact that criticism and film reporting in general is often just
>> an extension of release publicity.  That only bolsters the kisha club
>> mentality you mention.
>
>is this much different to the way the press inevitably distort the
>impact/artistic success of their own countries films? In the UK the Oscars
>seem to be reported solely on the basis of the success of British
>films/artists. (And if there aren't any they just improvise - I remember the
>year Jessica Tandy's Oscar was claimed as an example of British success.)
>
>graham

Graham,
A little national pride isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially if it can
help to generate interest in local film.
The difference is that the Cannes reportage by the Japanese press is
characteristic of the general lack of realistic criticism and reportage
on a consistent, year-round basis.  I would hardly want to compare it
to that of the British press, which has a fairly laudable history of artistic
criticism, to say the least.   And UK reportage (while suffering from
faults of its own, certainly) can't be accused of having a kisha club
mentality.  I didn't see any articles in the Independent giving the nod to
Ken Loach; in fact, there were as many opinions as there were critics.
Cheers,
Greg Starr
Premiere Japan