Leigh inspired by election anger
Director Mike Leigh today suggested British film-makers take inspiration from a “rich harvest of human folly” in Britain’s current political situation.
Leigh, whose latest project Another Year is screening at the Cannes Film Festival, said his films are motivated by his observation of everyday life, and admitted the “anger” he feels over the result of the British general election would affect his film-making.
Asked at a press conference if he felt the change of prime minister would stimulate British cinema, he said: “If there’s any correlation between the anger that we feel as a result of what has happened in the last few days and the anger that is a necessary ingredient for an artist and therefore a filmmaker, then I dare say it will add fuel to the fire.
“For me in the end it’s about looking at life, about people, about society - and what’s happened as a result of the British general election is we can look and feel from our own political points of view, but actually on another level it is simply a rich harvest of human folly.”
'Another Year', which stars Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen and Lesley Manville, follows the changing seasons as married couple Tom and Gerri’s friends and family face birth, death and the loneliness of ageing.
Veteran director Leigh said: “I suppose life does become at the same time clearer and more complicated [as you age].”
“I think the film is about how we come to terms with life, how we face ourselves and each other, how we face what we are, and that struggle.”
The film is up for the Palme d’Or, the festival’s top prize, with competition from Ken Loach’s Iraq-set thriller and love story, 'Route Irish', as well as Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s 'Biutiful', starring Javier Bardem, and 'Fair Game', from US director Doug Liman.
Leigh, 67, won the award in 1996 for 'Secrets And Lies', and last competed in 2002 with 'All Or Nothing'.
He said his films are based on the fascination he feels for “ordinary” people and their lives.
“As far as I’m concerned people are not boring, nobody is boring,” he said.
“Life is fascinating and there is no difference between life in what you call the ordinary world, the lives of ordinary people, and any other people.
“We human beings are endlessly fascinating.”
