PeccaPics: The Peccadillo Pictures Blog

British Independent Filmmakers Left Feeling Blue

2012-01-11T13:28:00.003Z

David Cameron is set to visit Pinewood Studios today to meet with representatives of small and medium sized businesses in the British film industry. The studio, famous for the James Bond movies, seems the perfect place to house the prime minister's meetings as he is out with a licence to kill British independent filmmakers by urging producers to make 'commerically successful' films.

'Our role, and that of the British Film Institute, should be to support the sector in becoming even more dynamic and entrepreneurial, helping UK producers to make commercially successful pictures that rival the quality and impact of the best international productions,' Cameron said.

His comments come before the publication of Lord Smith's commissioned review to find out how the industry could offer better support to UK filmmaking. The comments suggest Cameron supports and recommends more money from the industry's national lottery funding be given to independent pictures that have mainstream potential.

So what does this mean? Well it certainly means successful film companies would receive greater support, rather than small independent companies who seek diverse films with the aim of success, but have yet to establish themselves as money-makers.

Peccadillo is a small independent distributor and we feel that the UK film industry needs more money being pumped into independent filmmakers and companies who help create a diverse array of films. What we don't want to see is the industry becoming cluttered with blockbusters.

Understanding the struggles this will leave on small independent companies and filmmakers, British filmmaker Ken Loach spoke to the BBC saying "What you need to do is fund a lot of different, varied projects and then you'll get a really vibrant industry.

"If everyone knew what would be successful before it was made, there would be no problem," he said.

Hear, hear!

Peccadillo proved that you don't need a hundred million pound movie to have a success. Last year we released Andrew Haigh's Weekend, which had a small budget but went on to become a success with both critics and audiences across the UK. The film managed to attract a large audience at Odeon Covent Garden, contributing to the film's box office, which so far as garnered over £200,000.

Here are some words from Peccadillo MD, Tom Abell:

A James Bond Every Week

The Prime Minister has spoken; he would like to see a UK financed “James Bond” type of film released every week. For some absurd reason he believes that profits from UK filmmaking would increase exponentially by investing lottery money solely into that kind of material.

What an ignorant arse.

If he bothered to check, there is virtually one action flick released almost every week, in some weeks we get several. If the UK film industry were to go down that road then it would quickly be bankrupted. The Bond franchise works because a film comes out every few years, this way the audience does not get bored with a constantly repeated formula. If UK producers were producing and releasing the equivalent of one Bond action film per week then audiences would quickly switch off. Our industry would then be ruined.

From 2000 to 2010 the UKFC funded what they believed to be mainstream commercial films. During this time there were very few “hits”, sadly in many cases funding represented “jobs for the boys” where mates got the funding regardless of the quality of the projects but with the firm “belief” that they would deliver a mainstream hit. Consequently strong new talent rarely got the opportunity to shine, and without that we were stuck with a monotonous regurgitation of period drama, gangster movies and more often than not unfunny comedies.

Fortunately this did begin to change and some creative projects managed to break through and they did shine, and they were successful. Then Cameron came to power and the UKFC was axed just at the moment that it was starting to work.

Very few of the UKFC films ever got distribution because they were made for what was believed to be a “mainstream commercial audience” and those “experts” who delivered the lottery funding were wrong far more times than they were right.

Our film WEEKEND was turned down for lottery funding on more than one occasion – and we’re not talking millions of pounds. The last request for funding was for £10k to help finish post production prior to screening at the SXSW Film Festival - where WEEKEND won the audience award for best feature and focused the world’s attention on its writer/director and young stars. The request for a modest grant was denied because the film had a “gay” theme which the UKFC/BFI considered not to be commercial, yet again they were wrong.

This only goes to prove the point that it is impossible to tell which film project will be a commercial success and which will fail.

As has already been pointed out on numerous press reports, THE KING'S SPEECH on paper would not be a commercial success, it certainly wouldn’t get funded under Cameron’s ideal scheme of film funding. What we need more than anything else is diversity in the films that are financed within the UK. We need to create and develop new British talent and support the British talent that already represents the multitude of voices within our country. We do not need to use lottery funding subsidise the likes of FOX, although I’m sure Murdoch would love it if we did.

Peccadillo Reflect On 2011

2011-12-22T15:32:00.005Z

Christmas Day is upon us and its that time of year where many of us gather with family and friends, scoff ourselves silly until we’ve ate one After Eight too many.

The Christmas lights colour that twinkle in our eyes here at Peccadillo HQ as we reflect back on the year and remember the good times of 2011 - a proud year for us. So let’s do that.

The first half of the year saw the restored and uncut release of Frank Ripploh’s sexual account TAXI ZUM KLO on DVD to critical praise, and we had successful entries at POUT film festival and LLGFF with GIGOLA, MAN AT BATH, A MARINE STORY, OWLS + HOOTERS, BREAK MY FALL, UNHAPPY BIRTHDAY and WE WERE HERE.

In the second half of the year the UK experienced riots leading to many small companies and homes being destroyed. Also destroyed was Sony’s warehouse, which houses our stock. Up in flames it all went, but as the ash settled all our worries began to fade away as we had delightful success with the cinema releases of Céline Sciamma’s coming-of-age, TOMBOY, and Andrew Haigh’s romance, WEEKEND, which was included in the 55^th London Film Festival along with two of our other films that will be released next year. We’re excited!

So forgetting all the unforgettable parties we’ve had in between all of that - all in all it has not been a bad year at all!

The Peccadillo team stopped what they were doing and reflected on their personal highlights of the year. Here's what we had to say:

Droo: “I guess mine would have to be a successful London Film Festival and party. A great last quarter of the year after the fire in August! Fingers crossed for an even better 2012!”

Kahloon: “Peccadillo Pictures first Full Time FEMALE Employee Droo started in July 2011.”

Jason: “Seeing as I’m in charge of online, one of my highlights was crossing the 10 million views mark on YouTube; and also seeing a multitude of our titles featured in various Films of 2011 lists from critics that I really respect. It’s been an amazing year!"

Simon: “Seeing BEAUTY (Skoonheid) at the Cannes film festival. Most beautiful and powerful film I’ve seen there since EYES WIDE OPEN.”

Hong: “My highlight was We Were Here. I don’t think I’ve been more moved by any other film. It made every bone in my body tremble. This has been a tremendous year for Peccadillo”

Billy: “Being the newest member at Peccadillo makes it easier for me to choose my highlight, which is of course actually becoming that newest member! Getting involved with films such as WEEKEND and WE WERE HERE remind me that my highlight of the year is a proud choice. The other was going to be the free coffee.”

Tom: “Has to be WEEKEND. It was great to end 2011 with a film that touched everyone's hearts and proved that a film detailing the reality of gay life today can break out of its niche.”

Thanks for all your support - from all us here at Peccadillo Pictures, have yourself a merry little Christmas!

Weekend Success For 'Weekend' at BIFA

2011-12-06T18:13:00.003Z

The British Independant Film Awards (BIFA) took place last Sunday in London, and with Andrew Haigh's critically acclaimed romance, Weekend, nominated for two awards; Most Promising Newcomer (Tom Cullen) and Best Achievement In Production, the night was a blend of nerves and excitement.

But guess what - the two nominations became wins! Hoo-ray! Tom Cullen humbly - and deservedly - took to the stage to collect his award as the most promising newcomer, and later on in the night, director Andrew Haigh, accepted the award for Best Achievement In Production with Weekend’s producer, Tristan Goligher, describing the win as one “genuinely for every person involved in the making of this film, from the cast, through all the crew, and all the companies who supported us. I'd also like to single out the line producer, Rachel Dargavel, a producer in her own right, and without whom the making of this film would have been a very different experience."

Weekend has blossomed into a charming achievement, and Peccadillo couldn't be more proud of all those involved and thankful to all those who have contributed to the film's success.

The film, which tells the story of Russell (Cullen), who heads out one Friday night to a nightclub, alone and on the pull. Just before closing time he picks up Glen (played by Chris New - far left). And so begins a weekend - in bars and in bedrooms, getting drunk and taking drugs, tellings stories and having sex - that will resonate throughout their lives.

Weekend is still showing in cinemas! Check to see if it is playing near you, by clicking here.

P.S. The BIFA's are sponsored by Moët, who supplied rather seductive champagne on the night. Talking of seductive...

Weekend cast & crew image: photography-factory.co.uk

Tom Cullen: thisisfakediy.co.uk

Side By Side

2011-12-01T12:08:00.001Z

Identical twins Alex and Victor Carril can be seen later this month playing villians in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, but before they were sharing scenes with the likes of Robert Downey Jr. they starred in Pascal-Alex Vincent's short film, Baby Shark (Bébé Requin), which won the Palme d’Or Short Film at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005, and his debut feature, Give Me Your Hand (Donne-Moi la Main).

Give Me Your Hand tells the story of twin brothers Quentin and Antoine who escape from their father’s bakery to attend the funeral of the mother they never knew. As they hitchhike towards Spain, old grudges between the two teenagers resurface. Antoine resents the friendships that his brother makes on the road, while sensitive Quentin is frustrated by his brother’s jealous and possessive behaviour. Increasingly hostile, Antoine cruelly ditches Quentin but he soon realises that he can’t make it to Spain without his brother by his side.

Fancy spending a night with these handsome twosome? Give Me Your Hand is available from Amazon.co.uk and Peccadillo Pod, as is Baby Shark, which is included on the Give Me Your Hand DVD.

Weekend posters now on SALE!

2011-11-30T12:36:00.005Z

Does your wall need a make-over? Perhaps you're thinking of hosting a Christmas party but worry guests will noticed that dirty mark on the wall, point and laugh before scoffing their faces with the mince pies you splashed out on.

Well worry no more because Peccadillo have the perfect solution that will put a smile on any wall. Behold...

The beautiful image you see above is the poster for WEEKEND used in the UK, and is now on SALE!*

We're pleased to offer a limited run of this highly collectible quad cinema poster (30 x 40 inches) for any WEEKEND fan so why not grab yourself one before it's too late!

You can order your quad from Ebay by clicking here - or by Amazon.co.uk.

Still haven't seen WEEKEND? Gasp! Check out where WEEKEND is showing by checking out the film's official website: www.weekend-film.com

*Posters are £22.50 (excluded postage & package)

We Were Here - Charity Gala & Oscar Shortlisted!

2011-11-21T17:40:00.007Z

Last Tuesday Peccadillo Pictures held a charity gala screening of WE WERE HERE at Odeon Covent Garden, London. Directed by David Weissman, WE WERE HERE is the first film to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of a definitive chapter in a city’s queer history. It explores how the inhabitants were affected by, and how they responded to, a calamitous epidemic. Though a San Francisco-based story, WE WERE HERE extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself.

In association with Attitude Magazine and the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), the event was fantastic! David Weissman answered questions from the audience after the film’s screening, which was introduced by the editor of Attitude Magazine, Matthew Todd and the director of the THT.

After the Q&A the gala continued with a drinks reception at Shadow Lounge in Soho. Inside the lights were dimmed, (unintentional) 70’s-esque disco music played and bottles of champagne were popped open to celebrate what was a success night. Peccadillo would like to thank everyone who came along and supported the film!

All proceeds from the screening went to Terrence Higgins Trust to raise money for AIDS awareness.

We’re delighted - and excited - to announce WE WERE HERE has been shortlisted for Best Documentary at next year’s Oscars! Our fingers are firmly crossed!

Speaking to our capacity as individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination, WE WERE HERE is released at the ICA London from November 25^th.

To book tickets click here.