Question 6 Should we be concerned about Hollywood's dominance of cinema around the world? Hollywood dominance and the decline of the British film industry has raised alarms among many.. It is true that mainstream Hollywood films can be found on the screens of most British cinemas, limiting the extent to which British films are viewed. However some may debate that this is nothing to be concerned about as a Hollywood provided film does not mean that a film cannot be enjoyable or even of good quality. Furthermore it is debatable if Hollywood dominance is something .to be concerned about as it doesn't stop the British film industry from producing films that are successful both in the US and the UK. The number of screens that are occupied at a cinema during the release of the Harry Potter franchise may anger many cinema goers. Firstly because it is an American produced (by AoL Time Warner) taking up screens which could have shown British films. Secondly because this is a film which many feel should have been produced by the British film industry, because it is set in England, has an English cast and the book is by an English author. The problem is there is simply no British studio in existence which could have produced this film on such a large budget, or have marketed and distributed in on such a large scale. This would suggest that yes, Hollywood's dominance over indigenous film production is definitely something to be concerned about. Additionally it has been argued that Hollywood dominance over British cinema has contributed greatly to the "Americanisation" of British culture. Hollywood dominance begs the question, shouldn't the British be shown films that are relevant to them and not about a consumerist culture that is said to be so different from their own. On the other hand, it may also be argued that there is not such a great need to be concerned about Hollywood dominance as a Hollywood mainstream film does not necessarily equate to a "bad" film. Hollywood can be said to be responsible for some of the greatest films of their time, such as The Godfather or Gone with the Wind. Hollywood films can be said to be thought provoking, and critically acclaimed. For example, Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby does not follow the same high concept formula but addresses sensitive issues such as euthanasia. Furthermore Fox Searchlight has recently taken
independent productions and turned them into highly successful films, namely last year's Garden State and Napoleon Dynamite which won over independent audience both in the UK and the US. Once more it may be argued that British audiences prefer Hollywood films to British films, which tend to be British social realism. Whilst Gary Oldman's Nil by Mouth may be a far superior film to any of the Lord of the Rings franchise, audiences may feel more comfortable with the escapist violence of the Battle of Helm's deep than the extreme domestic violence of Nil by Mouth. This begs the question of whether it is more important for films to entertain or intellectually challenge. Hollywood films that do not do both may cause concern for Hollywood's dominance over indigenous film industries. British films which both entertain and are thought provoking have gone on to be extremely successful in the UK and America, such as East is East. Furthermore the recent overseas success of Danny Boyle's 28 Days later would suggest that there is no need to be concerned about Hollywood dominance, as the British film industry continually proves to be original and produces films with ingenuity. In conclusion it would seem that there are may conflicting arguments that address the concern we should have over Hollywood's dominance over British and other indigenous film production. Whilst the British population may enjoy some mainstream, high concept films it is clear that they limit the extent that British films can be exposed to the public. It would appear yes, one should indeed be somewhat concerned about Hollywood dominance as it limits cultural diversity in the films we are able to view and an individual should be offered the choice of indigenous film.
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