cultural imperialism

[Carl Remick]

>From: "Nathan Newman" <nathan at newman.org>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Doug Henwood" <dhenwood at panix.com>
> >Why do the French have to subsidize their film industry? Why don't
> >French audiences fill the theaters so that the movies pay for
> >themselves? It's not like they cost EUR100m to make. I don't know the
> >answer really. But I'd like to.
>
>One thing many leftist cultural critique folks ignore is the appeal of
>craftmanship (and craftwomanship) that make Hollywood movies and
>entertainment so appealing.   Part of the advantage Hollywood has is the
>sheer dollars spent on US movies, which allows the employment of folks who
>can do a particular skill (make scene lighted just so, make shit blow up so
>cool, etc.).

Opinions may vary as to whether making shit blow up so cool is a worthy 
contribution to world culture.  But when I think of craftsmanship (since 
we're on the subject on French cinema), I'm more inclined to think of, say, 
the obsessive dedication and meticulous skills of Jacques Tati, who spent 
years on his final masterpiece, Playtime, and went broke in the process.

Carl

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