I know that a lot of studios are starting to pay more attention to the independent films, especially with the rise of film festivals and the interest and involvement of more big-name stars who want the cachet and challenges of indie projects. Perhaps that’s a sign of good things to come?

Have you ever heard of CD Baby (www.cdbaby.com)? I’ve gotten some awesome music from them, almost all by independent artists who otherwise might never score a commercial contract. I first heard about the site on NPR a few years ago, and I think it’s exploded since. Plus, they have the coolest customer service of an online company ever.

Salut,
Marjorie

I see this all the time with music. I adore music, so I put an effort into finding new stuff. Most people don’t have the time nor the inclination to do so, but given how their easy options are limited – the giant megaplex nearby – they accept the blow-em-ups and keep quiet.

Which basically means that the entire system is broken, that big business has too much control, and that the populace has less access to non-mainstream films than they should.

One of the things I love about doing this blog is that it encourages me to watch more French films. Sometimes I get lazy and just pop in whatever feel-good movie happens to be in my Netflix queue, but so often I walk away from them feeling that I’ve wasted my time.

I’ve never actually seen Seigner in anything else but this film, but I checked IMDB and yes, indeed, she was in Harry un ami qui vous veut du bien. Thanks for the recommendation! I really enjoyed her performance in This Girl from Paris; she doesn’t fit the stereotypical Parisian-girl character, as she’s what we would call a “sturdy” girl, with a tall, strong physique.

I suppose we should be grateful that the studios pump out crowd-pleasers like Live Free or Die Hard, if only so that they can afford to throw a few dollars towards making more indie productions. What’s disheartening is that most of what gets attention and marketing dollars (especially overseas) are exactly those blow-em-ups.

Do we blame the studios, or do we blame ourselves? The last film I saw in the theaters was A Mighty Heart, but it’s only recently (the last five or ten years) that I’ve made more of an effort to watch “quality” films. It does take more of an effort (time- and thought-wise) to watch them, and sometimes audiences (including me) just want pure entertainment.

What I dislike is that studios seem to primarily target the 12-35 male audience, and then assume that (since many moviegoers are on dates) the women will just tag along. On the other hand, My Big Fat Greek Wedding proved that you can release a film without a single gun in sight and still make tons of money.

Salut,
Marjorie

Sadly, you’re right about the differences in the movie industries here and there. Something like this might get made here, but a studio wouldn’t touch it until it had garnered enough cred or indie bucks to make it ‘profitable.’

I’m sure America will survive without another Jerry Bruckheimer blow-em-up, you know?