The Other Side of the Underneath: Britain's "Hidden" Cinema

Image: UK Production, Distant Voices, Still Lives (Terence Davies, 1988)

A recent thread on the MUBI discussion board regarding British cinema has reminded me of the often-regurgitated quote from François Truffaut, who once remarked: “The British cinema is boring, and reflects a submissive way of life, where enthusiasm, zeal and impetus are quickly rooted out. The film is a born loser just for being English.” Of course, this is the same Truffaut who later praised the early films of Bill Douglas, but nonetheless; the discussion has once again illustrated the tendency amongst certain critics and viewers to denigrate...