Cameron visits home of 007 ahead of film industry revi

[Blowfeld]

David Cameron visits home of 007 ahead of film industry review

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/2 ... -23693716/

by James Lyons, Daily Mirror 11/01/2012

David Cameron will visit the home of 007 today as he prepares to plough millions of pounds into the British film industry.

The PM will tour Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire – famous for making James Bond movies – ahead of a government review which is expected to recommend more Lottery cash for blockbusters.

Mr Cameron said as well as generating £4billion a year, filmmakers provide “an incalculable contribution to our culture”.

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He will urge the British film industry to concentrate on making more mainstream movies.

The Prime Minister signalled he wanted producers to get more help to generate "commercially successful" independent pictures that are not bankrolled by Hollywood.

Lord Smith's review of Government policy due to be published next week. The Labour former culture secretary is expected to recommend rebalancing Lottery funding in favour of independent pictures with mainstream potential, and the development of an export strategy for UK film expertise.

Last year's Oscar winner The King's Speech has earned around £250 million at the box office worldwide, making it the UK's highest grossing independent film of all time. The movie's budget is said to have been just £9 million.

Mr Cameron hailed the British film industry, saying it made a £4 billion annual contribution to the economy and an "incalculable contribution to our culture".

"But in this year when we set out bold ambitions for the future, when the eyes of the world will be on us, I think we should aim even higher, building on the incredible success of recent years," he said.

"Our role, and that of the British Film Institute (BFI), should be to support the sector in becoming even more dynamic and entrepreneurial, helping UK producers to make commercially successful pictures that rival the quality and impact of the best international productions.

"Just as the British Film Commission has played a crucial role in attracting the biggest and best international studios to produce their films here, so we must incentivise UK producers to chase new markets both here and overseas."

The premier is due to hold talks with small and medium sized businesses during his visit to Pinewood later.

The studios have been operating for more than 70 years, hosting Bond films including The Spy Who Loved Me, View to a Kill and, more recently, Quantum of Solace.

They were also used for blockbusters Mamma Mia! and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.



Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/2 ... -23693716/