Foreign films are among the finest
I write in response to Art Zarb's letter stating his disappointment at the lack of film choice at the Phoenix cinema ("Film choices leave a lot to be desired", Mercury Mailbox, October 9).
To bemoan an arthouse cinema due to its volume of subtitled films is ridiculous.
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As any true film fan knows, some of the very best releases of recent years have been foreign, such as Secert In Their Eyes, Pan's Labyrinth, Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and Let The Right One In (the latter two of which have had grossly inferior remakes, minus the subtitles, minus the quality).
The only place locally to enjoy world cinema of this calibre is the Phoenix. And thank goodness for that.
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I am partial to occasional multiplex visits, but find that unless you enjoy big-budget sequels, remakes, reboots and superhero films, there is little on offer.
The Phoenix should absolutely maintain its current material.
If Mr Zarb requires more up to date mainstream releases, may I suggest the 12 screen Sahowcase Cinema at Highcross.
A. Dawson, Leicester.
I would like to submit a reply to a recent letter from Art Zarb regarding the Phoenix Cinema in Leicester.
According to Art, the selection of films at the Phoenix "leave a lot to be desired".
As a film student at the University of Leicester, who regularly attends the Phoenix and has always very much enjoyed everything I have seen there, even if it is foreign or subtitled, I would like to suggest that the Phoenix has slotted into a niche market in Leicester and is a fantastic facility that we should be proud of.
The Phoenix offers more artistic, films for those who fancy a change from the Hollywood norm, and perhaps a bit of culture.
It is a shame that people can be put off a film just because it requires a little extra effort to read a few subtitles, but it is definitely well worth it.
We would just like to applaud the Phoenix for showing less mainstream films in such a great venue.
Naomi Silkstone & Bee Tovey University of Leicester.
Comments
by karinfall1955
Friday, October 12 2012, 7:05PM
“@graydjames. You should go on a Monday when people use their 'two for one' voucher from the Mercury. It is usually pretty full then!”
by graydjames
Friday, October 12 2012, 6:00PM
“Although I agree with the sentiments in the letters, the fact is that the Phoenix is subsidised and I can think of many regulars who comment on these pages who would be the first to complain about any subsidy let alone one that might have to be increased.
As one chap in the bar said to us on one occasion when a friend in my party complained that film choices were starting to get a bit maintsream: Yes, but we have to show more popular films from time to time to get more customers in.
With one exception, I have never been to a film at the Phoenix where the auditorium was even half full.”
by New_Walk_View
Friday, October 12 2012, 4:08PM
“When Hollywood works, it's capable of producing an unrivalled cinematic experience (`Jaws', `Godfather II', `Saving Private Ryan', `Alien', `Kingdon of Heaven' etc ) but it only works when a certain kind of a director has it by the b*lls.”
by amoros11
Friday, October 12 2012, 1:03PM
“The Artist from France got the award as best film. I like European movies which gives us a chance to explore other cultures films, to view their statements of issues around the social reality of their countries, by nature they are more dialogue based.
There have be some excellent German films "Das Boot" 1981 and later "Downfall " and "Dresden" that offered an interesting, objective, subtle unbiased slant on their history. However I find Hollywood too gimmick driven, with comic strip type films like Batman, with the budget I'm sure they could think of someting better or more Imaginative.”
by karinfall1955
Friday, October 12 2012, 10:45AM
“@Stoned. Sorry to disgree but Pans Labyrinth is one of my favourite films ever! The Phoenix is less leftfield than it used to be!”
by Stoned
Friday, October 12 2012, 9:13AM
“If, as A.Dawson says, films such as Pan's Labrynth are considered to be amongst the "very best releases of recent years" then I thank goodness for the mainstream cinema releases.”