Working Working Titles and Titles and UniversalUniversal

A match made in A match made in heavenheaven

Background…Background…The Co-chairpersons of Working Title are The Co-chairpersons of Working Title are Tim Bevan and Eric FellnerTim Bevan and Eric Fellner““They have been listed as the most They have been listed as the most powerful figures in the British industry and powerful figures in the British industry and in 2002 Premiere magazine put them at in 2002 Premiere magazine put them at 4141stst in the world-wide movie power list” in the world-wide movie power list” (BBC News story (2004) (BBC News story (2004) Previously worked with PolyGram Previously worked with PolyGram Try to budget a film for less than its worthTry to budget a film for less than its worthOnly 42 full time employeesOnly 42 full time employeesWork a lot with Canal Plus of France Work a lot with Canal Plus of France

Their relationship… Their relationship… Despite the rumours, Universal is actually the Despite the rumours, Universal is actually the parent company to Working Titles parent company to Working Titles They have the power to ‘green light’ a film if they They have the power to ‘green light’ a film if they want to whereas they couldn’t when with Polgramwant to whereas they couldn’t when with PolgramTogether they have made numerous successful Together they have made numerous successful films such as:films such as:

Four Weddings and a FuneralFour Weddings and a FuneralBeanBeanBridget Jones’ DiaryBridget Jones’ DiaryLove ActuallyLove ActuallyHigh FidelityHigh FidelityHot FuzzHot FuzzAtonement Atonement

Are they BritishAre they British??

There is much controversy about this There is much controversy about this subjectsubject

Lets use the example of Lets use the example of AtonementAtonement, , is it a British film or is just another is it a British film or is just another American film…? lets find out! American film…? lets find out!

Yes, Yes, Atonement Atonement is Britishis BritishAll the production credits are held by All the production credits are held by Working TitlesWorking TitlesIt whole film was shot in England It whole film was shot in England alonealoneIt was based on the novel by Ian It was based on the novel by Ian McEwan who is a British writerMcEwan who is a British writerThe screenplay was done by the Brit The screenplay was done by the Brit Christopher HamptonChristopher HamptonThe cast was almost all British The cast was almost all British

No, No, AtonementAtonement is not is not BritishBritish

Universal is an American company who Universal is an American company who own Working Titles so that makes the films own Working Titles so that makes the films they produce Americanthey produce American

The film was distributed by lots of different The film was distributed by lots of different companies globally these include:companies globally these include:

Hoyts Distribution (Australia)Hoyts Distribution (Australia)

Studio Canal (France) Studio Canal (France)

Toho-Towa (Japan)Toho-Towa (Japan)

Finnkino Oy (Finland)Finnkino Oy (Finland)

ConclusionConclusion

It is unclear whether Atonement is a It is unclear whether Atonement is a British film because it does not fit in British film because it does not fit in the BFI categories the BFI categories

Therefore we will let you decideTherefore we will let you decide

But… in my opinion I believe But… in my opinion I believe Atonement Atonement is a British film is a British film