Vladimir Nabokov was an evocative writer. Yet attempts to turn his books into films have been failures. “Many film-makers have tried to mine the wily Russian, and this new attempt revives the question: can Nabokov ever be filmed successfully?” – The Guardian
Tag: 08.25.00
INVESTING IN THE ARTS
The UK’s new Film Council will be investing in movies. Art films? Documentaries? Not hardly. “There’s no difference between the Film Council and the mini-studios that exist in Britain, such as FilmFour, Momentum, Redbus, Renaissance, Sky Pictures, Intermedia. We are not dirigistes, as you are in France. Public money should be invested prudently, just like private money. We are not prepared to take unnecessary risks.” – The Guardian
RADIO STATION GIVES UP BROADCAST FOR THE WEB
A Santa Monica California radio station decides to abandon broadcast operations and exist only on the web. “It’s still a bit early, but we want to be there when the technology catches up to the demand.” With the push of a button, listeners will be able to purchase the works of the artists they’re hearing, and concert tickets, too. Down the road, advertisers will be able to target ads to individuals. – Chicago Tribune
MATERIALS ARE EVERYTHING
Wednesday, the British Museum revealed it had been “duped” by a stonemason who had used cheaper stone than had been agreed upon for a new $97 million portico under construction at the British Museum. But evidently the switch was discovered a year ago and workers were allowed to continue. Now everyone is “aghast” at the mismatch in stone color as the scaffolding is being removed. – The Guardian
- NOW FUNDING WOES: Britain’s Lottery, which is helping to fund the new British Museum portico to the tune of £15.75 million, said it will withhold £2 million because the right stone was not used. – London Evening Standard