Film Four is a production company owned by channel Four, that finances British films. Whilst the company is entitled t
o give their ideas and opinions to the directors of the films, they are not a film making company, but only provide financial aid to those who do. The company’s first film, ‘Walter’, directed by Stephen Frears, was financed in 1982 and it has continued to produce many successful films from ‘Trainspotting’ made in 1996 and directed by Danny Boyle to ‘Bruno’ made in 2009 and directed by Larry Charles. Other well known titles include, ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’, ‘Fever Pitch’ and ‘Venus’.
The company has changed its face over the years, as before 1998 it was knows as Channel Four Films or Film Four International. Until the launch of the new digital channel FilmFour, a channel to play films made by them and later on other films outside of the company. The company was then re-named Film Four Productions and has been known as this ever since.
The production company continues to be successful, financing films and working with big names like Shane Meadows (This is England), screening them and others on FilmFour and featuring on the website with a section dedicated to them.
There are only a handful of well known British films that have not been Americanized and that are solely British. Without the glamour of Hollywood, modern British films, such as ‘This is England’, ‘Venus’ and ‘Billy Elliot’ (all small budget films) are often more realistic and raw and feature well known British actors. Good storylines, good actors and a good amount of swearing are what make British films great.
