John Maybury has blasted the UK film industry for dismissing innovative film-makers and only giving mainstream directors like Richard Curtis a chance.

The English The Jacket director has ditched Britain's movie business in favour of the US, claiming Hollywood will at least make his subversive, imaginative films.

Maybury complains the UK will only produce formulaic romantic comedies and British gangland movies.

He says, "Hollywood is where it's at. Films get made there, unlike the British film industry - unless you're Richard Curtis or WORKING TITLE making hideous cr*ppy rom-coms or B-division Brit-gangster movies.

"I had a couple of meetings at the FILM COUNCIL with what I thought were interesting, challenging projects and they'd come out with the classic, 'What genre is this?' line."

11/05/2005 02:50