Topic: Four Lions - British Screenings

[Entropy Balsmalch]

I read a different Guardian review, I think...

Anyway - that was also a bit whithering and he quoted one of the lines I felt was one of the weakest as the best line in it.

Idiots.

[Notlob]

Gosh - that ITV report really tried it on with the 'it's too soon after 7/7; people who haven't seen it are saying it's sick' guff aren't they?

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

What is an acceptable length of time to leave to allow families of the victims of terrorism before we're finally allowed our chance to shove their loss in their faces just like we've always wanted?

[Jemble Fred]

Gosh - that ITV report really tried it on with the 'it's too soon after 7/7; people who haven't seen it are saying it's sick' guff aren't they?

Yes, but note how desperately edited those voxpops are; it gave the impression that most interviewees were far from offended so they had to make do with a few fruitcakes, and even some of those they included were clearly very selectively cut together.

[sirhenry]

Another review from someone who seems to have actually watched the film - http://www.littlewhitelies.co.uk/blog/biff-four-lions/

[lordsnot]

Yes, but note how desperately edited those voxpops are; it gave the impression that most interviewees were far from offended so they had to make do with a few fruitcakes, and even some of those they included were clearly very selectively cut together.

It was so speak your brains that I really thought the reporter and whoever produced/edited the segment must have been taking the piss...

I couldn't believe when he fed CM the line "they haven't seen the film but they're already saying its sick"

Why do they still teach journalists to go into interviews with an angle when they invariably fall on their faces and, more importantly, shut themselves out of possibly discovering anything?

Thank you very much for all of this btw as it probably won't reach the US anytime soon.

[vrailaine]

What was the total number of deaths for 7/7?

[sirhenry]

7/7 = 1

[mobias]

I remember Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty were in Bradford showing their 'Watch the K Foundation Burn A Million Quid' film, and a mate of mine took along some KLF 12 inches for him to sign. When approached, Drummond said (words to the effect of) "By asking me to do that you've embarrassed yourself and brought shame on everyone here." (which was actually a fair comment).

From my experience with Bill Drummond that sounds about right, lovely, lovely bloke though. He went well beyond the call of duty to help a mate of mine out with an arts project.

I always think asking someone for an autograph is a really naff thing to do. From my experience whenever you meet someone you genuinely admire its far better to try and say something witty or interesting. A funny little reply from them or better still a little conversation is a far far better memory than having them saying 'no' to an autograph which kills most moments dead.   

[Edley]

I heard a bloke in front of me saying "Did you think you could have made the bloke doing the newscast (as viewed on the bus) Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan?". He smiled and replied "No not really..." trying to move on.

Haha, yikes. I compared the bleach scene that's been doing the rounds for a while to a Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan sketch and he said, "Peter wouldn't have been so obliging," then talked about the scene coming about through some improvisation in the audition, so either you heard that or Chris was bombarded with questions about a character who's been largely untouched for sixteen years - not sure which would be worse. Regardless, it was a shit question and I found myself in the unusual position of being starstruck, which he dealt with very graciously.

I loved the film enough that even making a minor arse of myself at the end didn't spoil it, though.

[ColinBradshaw]

Not sure whether it's been mentioned but Four Lions got a 3 star review in The Guardian, drawing comparisons with Dad's Army and saying it only approached effective satire towards the end.

There were no comments whatsoever describing it as a comedy film, discussing whether the audience themselves laughed at it or enjoyed it or whether the reviewer himself found it funny. I haven't seen the film but given people's comments about it, and reading the review, it fails to judge the film on whether it achieves its ambitions which is surely one of the first things on the to-discuss list, as a film critic.

Yes well you have to remember which side the Guardian is on.

[weekender]

Nice chaps all, though I did have an awkward handshake moment with weekender as I somehow failed to spot his outheld hand.

Look, if you didn't want to shake my hand you should have the fucking balls to say so to my face :).

.... and here's the ITV Yorkshire report as discussed last night:

Calendar / Four Lions Premiere

That's a fantastic news report, on many levels.  Balanced view of the film, portrays idiots as idiots and the Muslim community as basically sound people, plus it has Chris's fantastic dismissal at the end.  The people responsible had probably been told "A controversial film!  Get down there!  Although you haven't got tickets, we couldn't get any, so just make something up".  Well done ITV Yorkshire.

[CollaterlySisters]

Also there was some girl saying "Oh hi I'm here representing the Australian comedy forum Spunky Pineapple... (or similar)" and then mumbling something incoherent to him...

Oh F*ck, that was me! One of those situations where your brain is screaming at your mouth, but it's not shutting up... I thought it'd be more relevant than 'I've loved your work ever since On The Hour & by the way, what was Peter Cook really like', but obviously not! Sorry to all concerned (although as I was 40 last week, thanks for calling me a girl! It was dark in there)

In between me & Brian Ohanrahanran guy was a family with their son (approx 10?) & he got a book signed 'You're getting me to sign someone else's book?'. He did though, & made more jokes about it (I couldn't read the title unfortunately).

Yours in tediousness
CS

[dfurnell]

Ooops. That's two forum members I've called 'star-struck nutters'. No personal offence meant. Nutters.

[CollaterlySisters]

Ooops. That's two forum members I've called 'star-struck nutters'. No personal offence meant. Nutters.

More of a lurker than a member. Nutter? I didn't ask him to autograph my tits! (although I did swab my hand for his DNA immediately I left the room).

[neveragain]

Oooh, all very exciting stuff from everyone who managed to get into Bradford (a sentence I never imagined I would write) and I hope enough of us manage to get into Nottingham. I've already booked a hotel for myself and a friend, so bets definitely hedged in this corner. Re: Iannucci, anyone still think he may be attending, despite not being advertised as he's not technically related to the film, but since his talk at ScreenLit is scheduled only a few days hence? I would very much cream if he happened to be an additional feature.

You attendees seem to describe a nice after-show drinking environment as well, with cast etc., hope that travels to Nottingham too.

[JPA]

You attendees seem to describe a nice after-show drinking environment as well, with cast etc., hope that travels to Nottingham too.

It was quite lucky as the Q&A was done standing in front of the screen as above, and then we had to go out through the Fire Exit when it finished which involved going down to the front of the cinema and past Morris et al. Wanted to shake his hand too as I walked past, but he was well and truly surrounded and in conversation by that point, so it seemed rude to just stick a hand in his face.

[Huzzie]

He refused me.  In fact, he said "no, not now!" and then marched off in a way that made it clear he didn't want to be bothered.  However, I bumped into him just before the 6pm screening started, so it's fair enough really, he had to prepare.

Aww shit! Neil!

Of all the people for him to turn down.

I feel really sad for you.

You should have given him a slap and told him that a quarter of his fans and possibly the reason he was able to make a feature length film was due to your time and hard work.
You should have at least slapped him, anyway.

[Jumble Cashback]

Haha, yikes. I compared the bleach scene that's been doing the rounds for a while to a Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan sketch and he said, "Peter wouldn't have been so obliging," then talked about the scene coming about through some improvisation in the audition, so either you heard that or Chris was bombarded with questions about a character who's been largely untouched for sixteen years - not sure which would be worse. Regardless, it was a shit question and I found myself in the unusual position of being starstruck, which he dealt with very graciously.

You spoke to him just before I did.  I hope you didn't notice my rambling little prologue to the thing I was saying to him.  Basically, I was trying to tell him that his work had been responsible for a huge shift in the type of work I did at university, which made all the difference between me doing very badly (as I had been) and doing very well.  But, I started out with a sort of preamble that may have had him thinking 'sooooooo...what has this got to do with me?'.  If it did though he certainly didn't show it and, when I got to the bit where I started to talk about his influence and the satirical magazine I'd made, he really lit up and made me feel very comfortable.  I asked if he would accept a copy of the magazine as a thanks for the inspiration and he gamely accepted, looking really chuffed that he'd been given a gift (I was expecting a polite refusal).  When he looked through it, he even asked if I would mind him showing to Charlie Brooker because though it would be the kind of thing Brooker would be particularly interested in.  I'll be honest, I nearly choked with joy.  We talked a bit more about work I'd done for 'The Yes Men' and all the time he was gracious and forthcoming, even though the event staff were urging him to wrap things up.  I figured I should let him get on, so I bade him farewell, thanked him and shook him firmly by the hand. 

On the way out, a camera crew stopped me and asked if I'd just seen the film and would I mind talking a bit about it.  After giving my comments (all positive as I thought the film was fucking great), I signed the release form and, as I did so, noticed it was guys from Warp Films who had stopped me, so, on the off-chance it appears in any promotional material or anything, I'll own up and CaB will finally be privy to what I look like.

Oh, and Neil, I am gutted for you mate.  I'm sure you'll get a chance to meet him and, better still take solace in the fact that, while he may not have known you on sight, he will be fully aware and appreciative of just how much you've done to support his work.  He didn't have to stick around after the Q&A to speak to the fans, but he did, presumably (at least in part) because of his heartfelt appreciation for the people who have invested their time and money in what he does. If that's anything to go by, I'm sure he has a great respect for you. 

[neveragain]

Yes, I have to echo that last bit, JC. It's a bloody annoying circumstance, Neil, but I'm certain he appreciates all that you do.

[switchbitch]

_{^{Maybe CM liked the "things" threads.}}

[dfurnell]

I asked if he would accept a copy of the magazine as a thanks for the inspiration and he gamely accepted, looking really chuffed that he'd been given a gift (I was expecting a polite refusal).  When he looked through it, he even asked if I would mind him showing to Charlie Brooker because though it would be the kind of thing Brooker would be particularly interested in.  I'll be honest, I nearly choked with joy.

Actually I was just behind you in the gaggle of Morris fans. Your mag looked really good, and I too was impressed when he said he wanted to show it to Charlie Brooker. Let's face it all a lot of the oddballs that talk to him want him to say is "Oh wow you're really funny let's do another series of 'The Day Today' with you in it", except by liking your mag that was on that level. So well done mate I think it was a good job. I only didn't mention you on here as I thought you'd prefer to write your own story and you didn't fit into my 'nutter' theory. I think I'll stop mentioning that as it might be getting a bit old.

[dfurnell]

Nutter? I didn't ask him to autograph my tits!

I had my Sharpie ready...

[Johnny Townmouse]

RE: Nottingham

Am I correct to assume that tickets go on sale at midnight on Wednesday night/Thursday morning? The hour going forward tonight is confusing my tiny mind.

I think I will do my best to snag four tickets if I can, and then sell a couple back if I have to. I imagine that at least half, or more, tickets have already been allocated given that it is the gala opening, but that should leave at least a couple of hundred tickets for plebs.

If I can't get a ticket can I please throw myself upon your mercy and to consider me if you have an extra one. Please.

[neveragain]

Yep, that's the time as I know it. I'll see you back here after (hopefully) nabbing two myself. I'm choosing to trust their internet booking system, may God smile upon me.

[Glebe]

Twitch - SXSW 2010: FOUR LIONS Review.

[Ambient Sheep]

Twitch - SXSW 2010: FOUR LIONS Review.

Hmmm, the reviewer manages to mix up Barry & Fessal in a major way.  Not a great start...

[Jan Švankhammer]

I went to the 8.30 screening and was sat right at the front just to the right of Morris when he did the Q&A. When he first came out to introduce it and walked on stage he looked like a giant man-god.

I've not been active on the forum much the past 6 months, gutted I didn't get to talk to any cabbers, especially now I hear the Neil and apex jazz were there. I did see Ambient sheep and possibly Weekender right before going in, heard someone call out sir henry and I think I saw exploding vinyl too.

I really enjoyed the film although it didn't reach the heights of Morris' earlier work for me. A friend of mine works at the media museum so I got to go to the post screening drinks, didn't have the nerve to approach Morris however so nothing to contribute in the way of gossip sadly.

I saw the CAB post it note in Robbie Cooper exhibition which made me smile, I wrote a few words on it.

[dfurnell]

Just had a little time on my hands and I thought I'd link up a few more Bradford Premiere pics. They are 3 out of the 4 lions on the red carpret and two slightly different views of the first screening Q&A session....









There.

[Jumble Cashback]

I only didn't mention you on here as I thought you'd prefer to write your own story and you didn't fit into my 'nutter' theory.

That's a big relief.  I was afraid I might have fallen squarely into that category, so it's nice to know I came off less frantic than I felt.  The way Morris responded to the magazine really reassured me, though.  I think he was probably just relieved not to be discussing his relationship with the media or the general subject of 'controversy'.