Hollywood redefines “independence”; Rich people the world over clap politely and count their money
posted in News, `Roids |By Lloyd Kaufman and Gray Bouchard
Every Christmas, at the Kaufman household, we have a tradition: to see who can drink enough of Grandma K’s famous “Hard Eggnog†to make the holidays with the family we’ve spent the rest of the year avoiding tolerable. After 17 glasses of this glorious whiskey and rum infused concoction, it can be assumed that, no matter who wins, we all lose in the end.
While hunched over the bowl, heaving up gallons of half-digested nog, unsuccessfully fighting off whiskey shits, I found my mind wandering to this year’s SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL. The wonderful essay by Tromadance program director Jonathan Lees (available at www.Tromadance.com) did an excellent job of bringing to the surface some of the concerns Troma, as an independent film company working in an industry obsessed with forcibly sodomizing the little guy, would have about the ever-changing face of the festival.
Last year, I commented in the Tromadance program that,
“We believe that the Sundance Film festival has recently returned with focus mostly on independent film-makers and seems to be selecting more genuinely independent moviesâ€
After reviewing this year’s picks, perhaps I spoke too soon. Festival Director of Programming John Cooper made a statement trying to highlight the “new talent†chosen this year. This may be the case, a quick glance at some of the casts of these films and I can’t tell the difference between the “independent†Sundance and the red carpet premiere of the newest Spielberg flick: Jack Black, Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Haden Church, Woody Harrelson, Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, Sean Penn, and Colin Farrell, just to name a few.
It seems that rather than returning to focus, Sundance, or, more accurately, the industry in general, is trying to redefine the definition of “independence†to mean “a movie made by rich people, with rich people, and starring famous (and rich) people.†It seems as though Bruce Willis taking only a million dollars instead of 50 million equals an “indie†feature. And making him gay/transvestite/retarded equals Oscar, baby!
And everyone is happy! Bruce Willis gets that badge of “indie†integrity; the festival gets more publicity and rich, fur-wearing clients; 20th Century Fox gets a boost to their soon-to-be-released Die Hard Sequel: “Die Hard IX: Die Hardest†(originally titled: “Die Hard: We’re Just In It For The Money!â€); and Rupert Murdoch can take his daily bath in the blood of virgins.
Now, some might say Sundance has betrayed independent cinema by carefully picking films that either already have distribution or are basically guaranteed it by the star-power and money behind it. However, we shouldn’t blame Sundance. Sundance isn’t the problem, Sundance is merely a symptom of a larger issue: industry consolidation.
Sundance, like everyone in the entertainment industry, is feeling pressure from the multimedia conglomerates to perpetuate the “Hollywood†system and grease the palms of greedy corporate fucks and their politico lapdogs. Hollywood has turned what used to be a noble forum for indie filmmakers into a vetting-ground for the “serious artistic endeavors†of people who spend the other 364 days of the year filling our multiplexes with forgettable, mind-numbing bullshit. And as Microsoft and Apple computers move in to subsidize the festival, there seems to be no end to the bloated budgets and bureaucracy in sight.
But not only are indie’s feeling pressure to go along with custerfuck, but the big boys are getting into the indie game: Major studios are starting to funnel money into so-called “indie†divisions, resulting in the creation of productions companies like Fox Searchlight and Warner “Independent.†Warner Brothers… independent??? Not since†actor’s equity†have two words been so poorly matched.
Now, that’s not to say the artists who are fining work with these so-called “indie majors†don’t deserve it. Many have worked hard and toiled in obscurity for years before Big Brother WB decided that they were profitable enough to throw a million dollars at (which is about what falls out of Rupert Murdoch’s pockets every day). And they succeed in making excellent movies, for major studios. However, having worked in this industry of 35 years, I’m not stupid enough to mistake this for some sort of benevolence. Corporate execs aren’t creative people, but the can smell money. The majors are merely trying to buy integrity, create an “indie brand,†and, in the end, profit. And while this may help one or two really talented people, the fact remains that there are hundreds more that are ignored and shat on by the Hollywood system.
To me, it has never been clearer WHY we need a festival like Tromadance. When we started Tromadance, we didn’t set out to be the conscience of the fest. We merely wanted to give opportunities to aspiring young filmmakers who operated outside the “Hollywood†(re: corporate) system. If every Joe Blow with a video camera could get Winona Ryder to appear in his debut film, then maybe the new definition of “independent†might mean something. Heck, I have a few projects I wouldn’t mind her appearing it. Mostly low-budget stuff, shot on video. In my home. With me as a co-star. Naked.
However, since all but an infinitesimally small number have access to the Olsen Twins, we believe there needs to be an outlet for these voices, and Rupert Murdoch or one of the other Hollywood billionaires aren’t exactly lining up to provide it. This is why I decided to run for chairman of the The Independent Film & Television Alliance, a trade association for the independent film and television industry worldwide, featuring nearly 200 independent distributors and production companies. IFTA is a non-profit association whose mission is to provide the independent film and television industry with worldwide representation, with members from who have real industry experience, like Roger Corman and the producers of “Monster,” who are committed to fighting industry consolidation. More information can be found at www.ifta-online.org.
The responsibility for providing art and entertainment has fallen into the hands of the greedy, and I feel that it is everyone’s responsibility to take it back, at least whatever little part you play in it. We are being inundated with bullshit, while the true independent artists, artists like Takasi Miike and Giuseppe Andrews, find it more and more difficult to find forums for their work.
But if history has shown us one thing, it’s that the major studios have made it their business to try and silence people like me. Economic blacklisting, muscling us out of theaters, flaming bags of dog crap on our porch: you name it, they’ve tried it. But, if there’s one thing the media conglomerates can’t ignore, it’s the voice of the people they’re trying to sell to.
If you’re unsettled (and rightfully so) by this grab for power by the multimedia conglomerates, here’s a few ways you can fight it:
- Write to your congressmen and women telling them that, if they value your vote, they should not bow to corporate pressure and industry consolidation.
- Write to the FCC telling them that you want more diverse voices in broadcasting.
- Voice your concerns with the major multimedia conglomerates: if you hold stock in the companies, voice you opinion. If you don’t, just don’t support them with your money. Skip the new animated Pixar Shitfest. Don’t watch the new family sitcom on Fox. Pass on Warner Brothers new romantic comedy.
Or, as I’ve said many times in the past, MAKE YOUR OWN DAMN MOVIE and submit it to TRULY independent festivals: festivals like Tromadance, or local and regional festivals like Asheville Rejects, where often entry is free. Every person has the right to not be force-fed bullshit by people who only care about their next paycheck.
In the meantime, check out www.tromadance.com and of course www.troma.com for updates and ways you can help out in the fight against industry consolidation, as well as get helpful tips about what to do with all that post-holiday fruitcake (next week: butt Plugs!).
Also, keep an eye out for our Sundance submission for 2009! It’s a wacky romantic comedy featuring Tom Cruise, the Olsen twins, and Helen Mirren. Basically, they all shit in each other’s mouths for two and a half hours. And all it cost was $65 million to make! What a bargain!
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