Sorted

[Movie Junkie]

This maybe interesting to anyone who may have followed the TV fly on-the-wall show called "Movie Virgins".
That German guy, Alex Jovy, released his film this week on a ?3 000 000 budget. It opened on 134 screens and has only taken ?53 000. Is this the end of his career? Can Sorted be any worse than most Hollywood pap? Are British movie makers still well behind the Americans in terms of using the media machine to promote their films? Any thoughts?

[Matt J Heaton]

Oh man, it did even worse than I thought.

I read some very un-complimentary reviews.

I don't think daddy will be giving out any more cash.

[FranMc]

Good, bad or indifferent, it seems that the public simply aren't interested, regardless of whatever this films merits might be. You can't really blame them, they've had to put up with a year of 'Circus' and 'Rancid Aluminium', its no wonder that audience interest in British film is low. And from the previews I've seen, 'Sorted' looks like just another face in the crowd.

--Mike

[eddie]

someone once said (a hollywood producer) that if a film cost less than 5000 000 to make, has a beginning and a middle and an end, then there is no way it wont make money.
The way I see it is that it now EXSISTS, where it didnt before. It cant be taken away no matter what.
For as long as Alex is alive he will be making a bit of money from the film, and since he has done it, Ill bet he gets plenty of job offers.
3 000 000 is nothing in film terms. It will probably go to video, stay on shelves for a while and slowly that money will come back in.
Perhaps not though.
But I say well done to him for trying.

[FranMc]

Well, it has tended to be true for Hollywood films at any rate (although that is changing). Since they have such lengthy shelf-lives and wide distribution, most films made in Hollywood are expected to at least break even. It doesn't always happen, but it tends to.

--Mike

[Movie Junkie]

I think the point is that because the film has done so badly, regardless of whether it will crawl into profit over the years, is who will want to hire Jovy. He will be seen as a failure.
Also, surely a long lasting filmmaking career is preferable to a bit of residual income over the years?
?3 000 000 is quite a high budget in terms of British filmmaking. The budget for Snatch was the same as Sorted.
It's a shame but after watching Movie Virgins, Alex Jovy was the least likely filmmaker I have ever seen and it seems that this has been proven by his work. There is not even the consolation of critical plaudits, which is the other path to take as oppose to Box Office success (eg-Jarmusch).
Anymore thoughts?

[FranMc]

Yes, but some experiance is preferrable to no experiance. He will almost certainly have a career ahead of him one way or another because he has at least proven to agents and production companies that he is capable of making a relatively publicised release that hasn't been that badly (relatively) received. The fact that it has made no money will make interested parties hesitant, but they will not write him off completely. Particularly if, as a director, he equips himself well in this film. I haven't seen it, so I can't comment.

[eddie]

I agree. Although after being at the helm it might be very difficult to take a more lowly 'job' in the business.
However I expect he will round up the cash for another project, and then another and then another.
He may not be able to make a box office hit (yet) but he can rustle up money.
I mean he has been running a project with a 3 000 000 pound budget. That is a lot of responsibility, and Im sure he is keen enough (and has enough contacts) to try again.
Either that or he will chuck it in become a merchant banker.

[amblin55]

He's already a lawyer and night club owner..
he just wants to do it all, it would seem.

[eddie]

oh great...A bored rich kid.
Fantastic.