British Culture: Albion Never Dies How British is Star Wars? [Episode 102]
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After over 100 episodes looking at the positive definition of 'Britishness', it's time to ask what are the limits to 'Britishness'? A negative definition of 'Britishness' attempts to define it by what it is not. Boundaries.
To this end, I use the BFI (British Film Institute) rubric to test the 'Britishness' levels of the original 1977 Star Wars movie (A New Hope). The rubric is as follows:
Section A – cultural content
A1: Film set in the UK or a European Economic Area (EEA) – Up to 4 points
A2: Lead characters British or EEA citizens or residents – Up to 4 points
A3: Film based on British or EEA subject matter or underlying material – 4 points
A4: Original dialogue recorded mainly in English or UK indigenous language or EEA language – Up to 6 points
Section B – cultural contribution
The film demonstrates British creativity, British heritage and/or diversity – Up to 4 points
Section C – cultural hubs
C1:
(a) At least 50% of the principal photography or SFX takes place in the UK – 2 points
(b) At least 50% of the VFX takes place in the UK – 2 points
(c) An extra 2 points can be awarded if at least 80% of principal photography or VFX or SFX takes place in the UK – 2 points
C2: Music Recording/Audio Post Production/Picture Post Production – 1 point
Section D – cultural practitioners
D1: Director – 1 point
D2: Scriptwriter – 1 point
D3: Producer – 1 point
D4: Composer – 1 point
D5: Lead actors – 1 point
D6: Majority of cast – 1 point
D7: Key staff (lead cinematographer, lead production designer, lead costume designer, lead editor, lead sound designer, lead visual effects supervisor, lead hair and makeup supervisor) – 1 point
D8: Majority of crew – 1 point
Total available points: 35 (I mis-speak at the start of the episode, correcting myself later)
Number of points needed to pass the Britishness test: 18 points
https://www.bfi.org.uk/apply-british-certification-tax-relief/cultural-test-film/summary-points-cultural-test-film
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I refer to several books throughout the episode:
Tales of the Perilous Realm
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Star Wars: The Magic of Myth
by Mary Henderson
The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Scenes of the Original Film
by J.W. Rinzler
The Hero With A Thousand Faces
by Joseph Campbell
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