FILM 0 UNITE!
Like virtually everything else in Britain‘s cultural life. the film business is firmly rooted in London. a fact which sometimes causes difficulties for those film critics in the regions. Around the country local celluliod gurus bravely try to keep their readers well—informed on the latest movie happenings. but the London-based distributors and PR companies involved in actually promoting the new releases have at times been slow to realise the full extent ofthe potential audience to which the critics from the so-called sticks can grant them access. Box office figures in Scotland. for example. are consistently the highest in the UK outside ofthe capital. but the process of
Britain. And so. the cinephiles of Lisrland. don't get left out when it comes to hearing what Jodie Foster or Dustin Hoffman. for example. have to say about the roles which consequently won Oscars for both of them.
Another encouraging aspect has been the setting up ofevents specifically for the benfit ofthe regional press. Within the past year there have now been two British Movies weekends. occasions which have showcased forthcoming home-grown product. while just recently around seventy movie hacks (a distressing sight. it has to be said) holed themselves up in the Cannon multiplex at Salford outside Manchester to peruse a programme of fourteen offerings. all yet-to-be-released. The definite highlights included Harvey Fierstein‘s Torch Song Trilogy (of
which more next issue). and a genuine surprise in the shape ofTom Holland's Child's Play. a splendid killer doll movie ifever there was one. while among the disappointments. Hal/hound: HellraiserZ turned out to be a godawful catalogue of gratuitous sadism. Win some. lose some: such is the life ofthe critic.
And though the world probably isn‘t crying out for yet another set of awards. the Guild of Regional Film Writers rather reassuringly voted Distant Voices, Still Lives their Film ofThe Year. with Terence Davies named best director. You‘ll also be remarkably interested to hear that Linda Russell at Warner Brothers got the nod for Best Promotional Campaign for her work on Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Not a lot of people know that. (Trevor Johnston)
NEWS REEL
publicising movies. film-makers and personalities has had a tendency to remain largely centered around the South-East of England. With this in mind. the Guild of
Regional Film Writers was formed. The name might sound like something out of the middle ages. but the whole caboodle was born out of a legendary late-night session in i the bar at Brighton‘s (‘inema 87 event. after which boozy resolutions became reality. The process of organising a nationwide membership has since then continued apace. with the current number totalling around 150. and under the able leadership of ('olin McAlpin from Belfast‘s Irish News its prestige and recognition within has gone from strength to strength.
‘50 whal.’ A film critics union‘.’ I low cosyl' you might very well cry. But the positive benefits of the Guild are beyond doubt. Now. instead of merer ringing up a few motley London freelancers who would then sell on their articles around the country . the distributors busy promoting their latest blockbusters hay e a list of dedicated and
responsible folk writing about film that covers the length and breadth of
— horror hero Freddy l Key Cannons from May returns to slice his way 12.
through another cast of THE JANUARY MAN Kevin sleepy teens. Wide release Kline. an Oscar winner for Our pick of the iortnight's from May 5. Wanda plays an eccentric highlight: on the sleuth on the trail ofa commercisi'snd repertory _ psychotic serial killer in circuits. . . or more this strange mix of compl‘h'm'" “VI.” 3"“ ultrablack comedy and V0000 “um 3“ "'0 Fm" character study. Key Index. while complete Cannons from May 5. programme details can be me monucsns/ro as on found in the Film Listings. not to as Good value BEYRAYED Debra Winger double-bill of Mel Brooks NEWSREEL
is the undercover FBI agent assigned to go undercover in the midwest farming community to check out farmer Tom Berenger and his buddies extreme right activities in Costa-Gavras controversial expose of American fascism.
Key Odeons release from May 5.
CROSSING DELANCEY Amy Irving plays a quiet mid-thrityish New York bookseller torn between the humble charms of pickle seller Peter Reigert and the smooth allure of Jeroen Krabbe‘s literary agent in Joan Micklin Silver‘s enjoyany unsentimental romance. Edinburgh Cameo from May 5.
A NIGHTMARE 0N ELM STREET IV The same mix of thrilling and imaginitive effects work separated by segments oftedium. as
lunacy features his classic bad-taste Broadway farce plus the more recent wartime theatrical hi-jinks of his vigorous Lubitsch remake. Edinburgh Cameo. late night May 6. THE WILD BUNCH Nine men who came too late and stayed too long. as a grizzled set ofageing outlaws attempt one last defiant raid in Peckinpah‘s majestic. bloodin elegaic Western milestone. Edinburgh Filmhouse. May 14.
ALSO OPENING
HEN ALIBI Tom Selleck leaves the other two men and the baby behind as a thriller writer who gets caught up in an exciting real-life case of his own in Aussie director Bruce Beresford‘s slick caper.
GOOD NEWS FOR BUMS across Central Scotland. with the opening of Cannon‘s Parkhead multiplex. refurbishment of Filmhouse 2 recently completed. and the renovation of Glasgow's Grosvenor about to start. the new standards of comfort all add up toa better deal for the cineaste bottom.
NOTE THE CHANGE of programme on May 15 at Glasgow Film Theatre. as the scheduled Quebecois movie Tinamer has faced subtitling problems and has since been replaced by Marquise Lepage's Marie Comes To Town. a sympathetic study of an adolescent girl alone in the big city. See Mayfest Daily Diary for further details.
The List 5— 18 May 198935