BBC Interview: Dirty Pretty Things

BBC INTERVIEW: Stephen Frears

When you make films about Britain, they're always set among the working classes or, in this case, the under class. Why?

I just do scripts I like, it's as simple as that. Although, I suppose I don't find the idea of tea and cucumber sandwiches very interesting. That said, I was never asked to do "Four Weddings and a Funeral", which I think is extremely good. I've never had to think about whether a film about the upper classes could be interesting.

You've discovered a brilliant new British leading man in Chiwetel Ejiofor. Would you take credit for that?

I was lucky. You think you're going to get X and then you get 6X. But I wouldn't want to be falsely innocent about it because I've done it quite a lot of times before. You just need to give people an opportunity. Daniel Day-Lewis knew, when he did "My Beautiful Laundrette", that was what he'd been waiting for. That's why he was so anxious to get the part. It was the same with Jack Black and "High Fidelity".

You've said that the UK is being dragged, kicking and screaming, towards multiculturalism. Do you think we have become less accepting?

Parts of the UK are. I live in a multicultural part of London and it's very interesting and I'm very pleased. I was politicised by Hanif Kureishi. My eyes were sort of opened for me when he wrote "My Beautiful Laundrette". I was brought up in a completely white, middle class life. Since I opened up a little, it's got much more interesting.

So why do you think some filmmakers seem reluctant to include ethnic characters in their work?

I don't know, you'd have to ask them. I went to a lot of trouble to ethnically cleanse my film of all white people.

"Dirty Pretty Things" opens in UK cinemas on Friday 13th December 2002.

Another Message from Mrs Beverton!

Mrs Beverton wanted me to post this on the blog for all of you to see. It's a PDF with Film Education News for Spring 2008.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF

Message from Mrs Beverton

If you didn't get the email for some reason here it is:

Dear Students

Apologies for my illness this week.

I have arranged for you to sit another FS2 exam next week. On Monday, you are to go to room 201 in the main teaching block. Please ask at reception if you need directions. Miss Rakoczy has kindly agreed to supervise this.

During lesson 5 on Monday, you will sit Section A of the paper and during Friday's lesson you will sit Section B.

Look over your last paper if possible to remind yourself of my comments. Your target is to include case studies for both sections. On the whole, but not exclusively, you all did better on Section A than B so think carefully about your preparation for B. You could do worse than think about the 5Ws and 'how', to structure your revision.

If you have any non-contact time earlier in the day I would advise scrutinising the magazines in the library for articles that might be relevant.

There will be a focus on the British angle.

I will definitely see you on Friday, tsunamis apart, when we will also discuss your outstanding coursework and homework.

Best wishes. Please make the most of this opportunity.

Mrs Beverton

Bev's Storyboard

Who was the storyboard for BEM or HAJ?

I am confused

This is England - What did you think?

So what did you think of "This is England"?
Did you think it was worthy of its BAFTA Award?

I'm curious; enlighten me please!

Bevs homework

was the homework a 1500 word essay on the 3 key scenes or was it just on the entire film??

Howdy!!!!!!

Hello, craig wants me to welcome u all cos he cant b asked, so welcome!!!!!!!!!! this blog is here to help any A-Level Film Studies Student for any help or advice that they may need. So Enjoy!!!!!