Alan Clarke Film Festival Has Been Extended! It will end on June 14th.

"He just doesn't blink, Allen, in any of his work. I think that is one of the things that pinpoints him, picks him out as an individual filmmaker. He's not interested in blinking."

Quote from director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting)



Welcome to our discussion of one of my favorite directors, Alan Clarke. We will be focussing on his films 'Made in Britain', 'The Firm/Elephant' and 'Scum.'
Let the fun begin with David's commentary:

"Thanks for bringing Clarke's films to my attention! I think Oldman is right: in Hollywood, these would have been turned into bland, common "tragedies of the human soul," instead of what Clarke has made: a series of in your face films that say "look at the world that exists, not the world you want."

I too, did not know what was going on in Elephant, but all I needed was the words Northern Ireland for ALL OF IT to fall into place. In the 1930's they could make "The Informer," a movie about N. Ireland with people with real lives outside of ‘The Struggle’. Clarke could only show killing after killing after killing. (AND THEY SAY THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS PROGRESS!)

Watching both versions of "Scum" showed that even the mighty Clarke had to compromise for his audience. The original BBC version had better acting, more disturbing content, and a raw edge. The re-make was a bit too smooth. And there is no comparison between the portraits of the Archer character. In the BBC version this kid was a smart ass, in the movie version he became almost Christ-like. And the whole gay lover angle was taken out. Don’t get me wrong, there was still plenty to be disturbed about...

”The Firm” had the simplest message of all, as spoken by one of the characters: "Maybe we just like to beat people up." If these hooligans could stand the organization required, we might re-create the gladiator contests, and have them duke it out before or after a match, in the stadium, before a cheering crowd. A hooligan may have a respectable day job, but his heart is in the fights. “(Fight Club”, anyone?)

But my favorite was "Made in Britain." The main character (Trevor) was not born into a split society like N Ireland. He was not a common criminal who abused others and was abused in turn. He didn't lead a dual life, hoping to make it through. He was a kid who gave up on it all. He had no real beliefs, he just wanted to fight. Borstal was his goal and his joy when he made it (in the closing shot) was that of a boy who has finally won the girl after wooing her for years. At first I thought he was like the Ed Norton character in "American History X," but Ed really believed what he fought for. Trevor did not.

Thank you Alan, for producing a series of films that showed a Britain that is bleak and depressing. It is a nice change from all those stylized period pieces we see on film."

(Thanks David!)