EMPIRE FILM INSTITUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20060, 29 March 1927, Page 13

EMPIRE FILM INSTITUTE.

A CONSTRUCTIVE POLICY. APPEAL FOR SUPPORT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, January 14. At the end of last year, it will be remembered, a public meeting was held to set on foot the work of a new organisation, the British Empire Film Institute, which baa as its object the encouragement oi Empire films. A letter signed by the committee—Lord Askwith, Lord Dancsfort. Sir C. W. C. Oman, Sir Johnston Forbcs-Robertson. and Sir Owen Seaman —now appears in the press appealing for support. The .signatories of the letter say: • The Imperial Conference has left behind it many reports dealing with matters of high importance. _ In our opr ion that on Empire films is not the least important of them, and provides much food for thought. The kincma and the film have become in the present generation the most powerful instruments for educational, social, political, and national propaganda that the world has ever known, 'they certainly have the opportunity of shaping the ideas of untold millions. The report expressed the most serious concern that throughout the British Empire the large majority of films which are at present exhibited are of alien origin. Many of these films almost invariably take for granted social and moral ideals and manners of thought which are not identical with our own, while some of them even purport to represent British life, and produce (intentionally or unintentionally) an unhappy rendering of it which does harm as well outside as inside the Empire. ! OBJECTS OF THE INSTITUTE. The British Empire Film Institute was inaugurated last year to originate, organise, and maintain by _ all legitimate means interest in British films, portraying the life, history, and ideals of our people within and beyond the high seas. The institute will carry out its constructive policy by disseminating, through a central bureau, information relating to British films throughout the Empire, by creating a healthy public opinion, through conferences and the press, on the subject of British films, by establishing a film library, by conferring awards of merit for films of distinctive value, and by issuing the distributing and official journal, etc. This institute gives all those in whom British Imperial sentiment is strong an opportunity of rendering articulate their desire for more films of the right sort, and its objects have already received the commendation and good wishes of bis Majesty the King and of the Prime Minister. The institute is not a commercial enterprise, and to enable it to carry out its educational and propaganda work effectively adequate funds are required. We therefore appeal for support from all those who feel strongly on this great Imperial question. Subscriptions may be sent to the Hon. Director, Mr J. Aubrey Rees, British Empire Film Institute, Abbey House, Westminster, S.W. 1. - , PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. The Morning, Post, commenting on the film subject, says:— “We venture to point out that this question is fundamentally not one of public opinion, but of private enterprise. There is no reason to doubt the soundness of public opinion on the subject. But the Americans have got ahead of ns in the organisation of the industry, and the production and marketing of its products. We may abuse the American films as much as we like; but w'e have to admit that the Americans understand the business, and supply the public with what it wants. Chiefly owing to the wpr, but largely also owing to superior capital resources and business organisation, the Americans have now got such a control over the industry that it is very difficult to overtake them. If it can bo done at all it can be done only by the superior organising genius of the British business men engaged in the industry, and their ability to mobilise the taste and talent this country undoubtedly possesses. And there is the further difficulty that the superior talent of this country is naturally attracted to America by the greater prizes that country is able to offer. These things being so, the task is difficulty but it is not impossible—and it is certainly worth trying.”