Torn Tartan
The legendary Scottish film distribution company Tartan Films went into administration last month. Former employee Paul Smith bids it a fond farewell
f Norma Desmond believed that pictures were
getting smaller. then the same can be said for the
industry. Smaller by one distributor. After 26 years. Tartan Films has ceased to be. The home to many cutting—edge. independent and foreign-language lilms. it launched the careers of John Woo and Almodovar.
I worked at Tartan for eight years in both theatrical and home entertainment divisions. I saw the launch of many classics and all under the prime guidance of its irrepressible owner. Ilamish McAlpine including ()Idhoy (pictured). .S'upersize Me. and In the Mood for Love.
The Iidinburgh International Film Festival gave debut screenings to documentaries such as ('apturing the I’riedmans and. when it hosted the UK premiere of Gaspar Noe‘s modern shocker Irreversible. I saw a man faint (across Mark Kermode‘s lap no less) and people walking out too traumatised to return. Iilsewhere. the infamous fight between Hamish and
director Larry (‘larke on the eve of the premiere of
Ken Park made headlines and it was a sobering time when Battle Royale opened in the week of 9/] l. making the school kids‘ celluloid battle for survival the last concern for a shocked world. And I wasn‘t even around when the staff had to dress up for a Beatrice Dalle-Iookalike competition when the actress failed to appear. Who says real life doesn‘t imitate art‘.’
But perhaps Tartan's tnost lasting legacy is the Asia
22 THE LIST (31 Jul—/ Aug 7008
‘I SAW A MAN FAINT ACROSS MARK KERMODE'S LAP'
Iixtreme phenomenon. that group of high-octane thrillers and blood—draining chillers from I-Iong Kong. Japan. and Korea. After Ringu and Audition. more modern classics followed that defined a new genre — The live. Infernal 417mm. Bangkok Dangerous which have all now been stripped down and redressed by Hollywood.
As significant was Tartan‘s world cinema ventures on DVD. They were a collector's dream with
collections that included the near-complete works of Bergman: ()zu‘s 'I'okyo Story; the early films of
Pasolini and Iiisenstein: and more recently. the surreal genius of [5/ 'Iopo's director. Alejandro Jodorowsy. The cinematic graveyard is littered with the remains of film companies such as Palace. (ioldcrest. and Film Four but it will only be a matter of time before 'I‘artan rises phoenix-like from the ashes. It may have launched the careers of many new directors. but equally many of my wonderful former colleagues have flown the nest over the years to join other film companies or even make their own films. such as the ever amiable (‘amilla Bray. producer of Summer. winning Robert (‘arlyle the best performance prize at this year‘s Iidinburgh International Film Festival. As long as great filtns are still being made. we‘ll all soldier on. but Tartan as it was will be much missed.
Tartan Film’s end credits spooled on 26 June 2008.
www.list.co.uk/film
LIST
THE BEST FILM & DVD RELEASES
* The Good, The Bad and the Ugly The third and best of Sergio Leone’s spaghetti western trilogy rides back in to town on a new print. See review, page 25. Fi/mhouse, Edinburgh from Fri 7 Aug.
at: Man On Wire Thrilling documentary about high wire artist Philippe Petit’s attempt to illegally traverse the World Trade Center’s twin towers in 1974. See review, page 24 and feature, page 12. General release from Fri 1 Aug.
3|: Cass Excellent drama based on the true story of Cass Pennant, notorius Jamaican/British football hooligan. See review, page 23. General release from Fri 1 Aug. al: The Dark Knight The bat is back in a superior, darker and more thought provoking sequel. Worth catching on IMAX if you can. See review, page 24. Out now on general release.
3|: WALL-E Short Circuit meets Silent Running in Pixar’s delightful sci-fi movie homage. Out now on general release.
3!: Baby Mama Hilarious infertility comedy from the Saturday Night Live alumni. Out now on general release.
at: Standard Operating Procedure Documentary filmmaker Errol Morris takes on the real criminals of Abu Ghraib prison in this distressing but important film. Out now, GFlI Glasgow.
at: Flash Gordon Mike Hodges’ joyous, camp 1980 take on the classic superhero genre gets a new lease of life on DVD. See review, page 33. Out Mon 4 Aug (Optimum).
al: The Long Day Closes The third part of Terence Davies painful childhood remembrance finally makes it's way on to DVD. See review, page 33. Out now (BF/).
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