Worse time for most business, best time for film industry

In this time of year, with many people suffering from the recession, it seems that the London Film Festival is too glamorous an event. But actually Cinema is still popular even though Nightclub managers complain about the falling number of customers and restaurants are no longer crowded as before.

According to the figures collected for the Cinema Advertising Association, more than 55 million cinema tickets were sold in the first four months of the year, an increase of 14 per cent on the same period last year and the highest number for seven years. Moreover, film production activity in the UK achieved the best first nine months since 2003 according to UK Film Council Research and Statistics Unit. For film industry, there is no recession but just success.

Actually recession is quite welcome to film industry. With less money in the pocket, people will choose something not so expensive to entertain themselves and to escape from the cruel reality. Like David Gritten, film critic for the Daily Telegraph, says: “The cinema remains a relatively cheap form of entertainment, especially compared with eating out or a night down the pub.” Cinema provides the excellent place for people to rest their heart and enjoy themselves without paying much money. Recession does not take the customers out; instead, it increases the number.

And it is just why they are still holding such a big festival at the darkest time of the year. With two weeks’ show of the best new films from around the world, this festival not only provides a chance for people to escape from the recession, but also makes contribution to the economy. Also, according to Times online, this year’s festival is benefiting from extra lottery money in the form of a £1.8m award announced by the UK Film Council, spread over three years.

Also, for the first time the London Film Festival plans to award a trophy to the festival’s best film and has selected nine titles to compete for the honor. Maybe it is their way to attract more attention and sell more tickets.