And I agree.  Of course the co-founder of Miramax and co-chairman of the Weinstein Company, myself and any other Independent film maker won't be able to convince a single person to do so, but the argument should at the very least be heard.

 

Weinstein blogged, yes that's right blogged about his fight to get reporters to cover his latest film "Boy A", a critically acclaimed small film that without seeing it, I'm sure is better than most big blackbuster Hollywood movies this year.  Sounds like sour grapes, but as a independent filmmaker myself, trying to get a second film started, the trials and tribulations of going up against the Dark Knight, or even a Will Ferrell movie where he plays the same character for the umpteen time, is incredibly daunting, if not increasingly impossible.  

Weinstein, Miramax films and films by Independent filmmakers normally don't stand a chance against a $180 million budgeted film with explosions and cheesy lines.  Yet sometimes films like "Little Miss Sunshine" which cost $8 million to make and grossed $96.9 million, sneaks through and remind movie goers what story telling on the big screen is really about.  That is until Hollywood unleashes another Comic Book on us with big name stars, explosions and trailers with deep voices and heavy guitars.  

Not that I am dogging all SuperHero movies, nor does Harvey.  The Dark Knight and Iron Man are the exception to the rule of two hours of pure garbage.  The point is simple, there is room for both, movie goers hold the key though.  And this year, movie goers have been a tad bit more unwilling to turn the key and let independent in, and a lot more willing to embrace Hollywood's continual thievery of two hours of life. 

Here's an excerpt from Harvey:

Independent films still are the underdog, and I've been fighting for years to get them seen by audiences. People have been entertained, they've escaped the heat and reality in movie theaters, but have they been impassioned by a movie this summer? 

Have they talked about it long after it ended because it left them seeing something in a different way or questioning reality? And I don't mean trying to recall who designed Carrie's wedding dress--but the bigger questions. 

Independent films have engaged in a conversation with society and have only made it stronger. That's why my brother and I continue to make films--to take risks on the little-known screenwriter with great vision and challenge the status quo of the entertainment industry. The industry and the entire society thrive when innovation prevails.

We have always known that we need to fight to allow creativity and innovation to flourish. The industry again stands at a transformational moment, requiring all of us to push the boundaries and show our passion for the industry that means so much to us and to society. Independent studios have been shut down, some staffs have been cut, and some have lost their independence. 

You can blame the economy, you can blame conglomerates, but instead of pointing any blame, it's again time to unleash the passion, courage, and know-how to make smart deals that made independent films great to begin with.

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