30th September 2007
A LEADING figure in the Scottish movie industry has resigned from
the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in protest at their
refusal to nominate a highly rated Gaelic movie for Oscar glory.
Producer Chris Young's shock announcement came just hours after the
American Academy criticised Bafta for failing to submit his film Seachd
- The Inaccessible Pinnacle in the Best Foreign Language category.
"Bafta is there to support British film. Not only
are they not supporting a British film and a British film producer, but
they are actively putting obstacles in our path," said Young, whose
previous films include Venus Peter, Gregory's Two Girls and the
award-winning comedy-drama Festival.
"What actually is the benefit of being a member of Bafta? I have decided to quit."
Meanwhile, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the
American organisation that administers the Oscars, has contacted its
British counterpart demanding an explanation.
"I do not understand why they would refuse to submit the film," said
Sandy Lieberson, chair of the US Academy's London committee and himself
a member of Bafta and a vastly experienced producer. "I have never
known a country refuse to submit a film.
"The merit of a film's worthiness is totally subjective and the
experts are continually making grave errors of judgment about movies.
Therefore it would seem only logical for Bafta to have chosen one of
the films to represent the fact that Britain is a multi-language
country." Bafta also had a Welsh film up for consideration.
Lieberson, whose films include Performance and Jabberwocky and who
was president of production at 20th Century Fox, was also critical of
Bafta's Scottish branch and of the Scottish Government for not
intervening.
"What I don't understand is why Bafta Scotland did not take a more
proactive position on this. This is an issue not just for the producer,
but for Scotland. In the future perhaps the choice should be left to
Scotland and Wales and not Bafta in London.
"I think this is an issue that should be raised with the Department
of Sports and Culture and the minister for film. There is a Scottish
Parliament - don't they have any interest in these issues?"
The original decision was made by a six-strong Bafta sub-committee,
but it horrified some members. The full film committee of 10 top
producers and others met to review the decision last week and after a
lengthy debate could not reach agreement, so the original decision
stands.
Each country is allowed to submit one foreign-language film to the
US Academy, which whittles the submissions down to the final list of
five nominations. In the UK it is up to Bafta to decide which film to
submit.
Seachd - The Inaccessible Pinnacle has been promoted as Scotland's
first genuine Gaelic feature film, has garnered positive early reviews,
has secured a commercial release next month and was considered hot
favourite to go forward as a UK Oscar submission.
The film, shot on Skye, is a fantasy movie and has been compared to
the classic The Princess Bride. An old man (played by Gaelic poet Angus
Peter Campbell) tells his grandchildren a series of stories involving a
magic horse, a man who has lived for 1,000 years and shipwrecked
sailors.
Bafta refused to give a reason for the decision not to put forward
either Seachd or the Welsh film. But Douglas Rae, producer of Mrs Brown
and Becoming Jane and a member of the sub-committee, said they "didn't
merit being put forward".
The decision came under attack earlier this month from various
organisations and individuals, including Scottish Screen, the national
film agency, which contributed about £170,000 towards a budget of
£700,000.
Jude MacLaverty of the Gaelic Media Festival, said it was "hugely
important" for Gaelic culture. "Wales and Ireland have a huge culture
where their minority language is concerned, but Scotland needs to keep
pushing. It's a shame."
The news caused uproar, not just within Scotland, but among senior
members of Bafta, who knew nothing about it before it was reported by
Scotland on Sunday two weeks ago.
Louise Beasley, Bafta's film awards officer, said the decision was
irreversible. But Finola Dwyer, who has just recently taken over as
chair of the film committee, subsequently indicated that the
organisation might well review the controversial decision. She said:
"This is a decision that I have inherited. I've just literally stepped
into the chair of film. We totally understand the concern and I'm
dealing with it."
The film committee met in private last week and decided to stick
with the original decision. "There was a great deal of discussion, but
it was a majority decision," said Dwyer. "I am unable to add anything
more because of the Bafta code of confidentiality."
Young said: "I feel I have been treated with total disrespect, as
has the film. They've made my life hell for the past two weeks. I'm
trying to shoot a comedy at the moment and I've spent a ridiculous
amount of time trying to get a decision and get an explanation for the
decision."
Young feels Bafta in London has been entirely negative and has been
disappointed by the lack of support from Bafta in Glasgow. "Maybe
Scotland should have its own film academy," he said. "It's certainly
something I would like to talk to Alex Salmond about."
Hong Kong submits a film independently of China, but Alison Forsyth,
director of Bafta Scotland, said: "I've never dealt with the Oscars.
I'm a branch of Bafta UK."
Bafta Scotland organised a preview of Seachd for its members earlier this month.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Scottish Screen leads on
issues relating to film for the Scottish Government. We, like Scottish
Screen, are, of course, extremely disappointed that the Seachd has not
been forwarded for an Oscar nomination, particularly given the wide
critical acclaim that the film has had at its limited showings to date,
including at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
by Brian Pendreigh
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/entertainment.cfm?id=1560962007
http://www.seachd.com
