Blinded By The Light case study
Read the following interviews and features on Blinded By The Light:
Writer Sarfraz Manzoor on the story behind the film - Guardian
Manzoor again on the promotion of the film and audience reaction
Variety feature on the best films from the 2019 Sundance Film Festival
Manzoor again on the promotion of the film and audience reaction
Variety feature on the best films from the 2019 Sundance Film Festival
1) What is the story behind the production of the film?
The story behind the production of Blinded By The Light involves writer Sarfraz Manzoor adapting his own memoir, Greetings from Bury Park, into a film. The film tells the story of a British-Pakistani teenager, Javed, who finds inspiration in the music of Bruce Springsteen. Manzoor's connection to Springsteen’s music provided a foundation for the narrative, attracting Gurinder Chadha, the director, to the project. The film’s journey also involved various cultural considerations, as it blended Manzoor’s life story with a universal theme of finding identity and belonging.
2) What was the audience reaction to the film?
The audience reaction to Blinded By The Light was generally very positive, with audiences praising its heartfelt and nostalgic portrayal of a young man’s search for self-identity. At the Sundance Film Festival, where it was premiered, the film received enthusiastic applause and a strong emotional response. Many viewers connected with the cultural theme, especially the connection of music and personal growth. The film was also celebrated for portraying multicultural Britain and exploring identity in the face of societal expectations.
3) Why is the Sundance Film Festival such an important part of the film industry - particularly for lower budget films?
The Sundance Film Festival plays a critical role in the film industry by providing a platform for independent films, especially those with lower budgets, to be seen by a wider audience. It is one of the most prestigious festivals for showcasing new talent and innovative storytelling. The festival often helps smaller films secure distribution deals, build word-of-mouth, and attract attention from major studios or streaming platforms. For films with modest budgets, Sundance is a key venue where they can be introduced to potential buyers, critics, and audiences, allowing them to gain exposure and, often, significant commercial success.
Funding and industry contexts
1) What was the budget for Blinded By The Light and which companies contributed to the production budget?
1) What was the budget for Blinded By The Light and which companies contributed to the production budget?
The budget for Blinded By The Light was approximately £15 million. The production was funded by a mix of companies, including Bend It Films (the production company led by Gurinder Chadha), the UK Film Council, and other international partners. The film was also co-produced by several other entities, providing a range of support for the project’s development and production.
2) Research the Bend It Networks website. What other films and projects has the company been involved with?
2) Research the Bend It Networks website. What other films and projects has the company been involved with?
Bend It Films has been involved in a range of films, with a focus on stories that explore themes of cultural identity, immigration, and social issues. Some of the company’s key projects include Bend It Like Beckham (a major success about a young British-Indian woman pursuing football), Bride and Prejudice (a Bollywood-inspired adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice), and Viceroy's House (which explores the final months of British rule in India). Additionally, the company has worked on a variety of television series, documentaries, and projects that delve into multiculturalism and the immigrant experience
3) Research Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema on the Warners website here. Summarise the history of New Line Cinema in a short paragraph.
New Line Cinema, founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye, began as a distribution company focused on low-budget films. It became well known in the 1980s for producing the Nightmare on Elm Street series, which established the company as a key player in the horror genre. New Line continued to thrive in the 1990s and 2000s with hits like The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Conjuring series. In 1994, New Line was acquired by Warner Bros.. However, it continued to operate as an independent label under Warner’s umbrella, specialising in a diverse range of films, particularly in the fantasy, horror, and drama genres.
3) Research Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema on the Warners website here. Summarise the history of New Line Cinema in a short paragraph.
New Line Cinema, founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye, began as a distribution company focused on low-budget films. It became well known in the 1980s for producing the Nightmare on Elm Street series, which established the company as a key player in the horror genre. New Line continued to thrive in the 1990s and 2000s with hits like The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Conjuring series. In 1994, New Line was acquired by Warner Bros.. However, it continued to operate as an independent label under Warner’s umbrella, specialising in a diverse range of films, particularly in the fantasy, horror, and drama genres.
4) Read this Variety interview with director Gurinder Chadha explaining how the project came about - including budget details. What attracted Gurinder Chadha to the project and how did she manage to get the film made?
Gurinder Chadha was drawn to Blinded By The Light due to its universal themes of identity, belonging, and the power of music, which resonated with her own experiences as a British-Indian woman. She found the story, which centred on a young Pakistani-British man finding inspiration in Bruce Springsteen’s music, to be both personal and universally relatable. To get the film made, Chadha leveraged her industry experience and reputation as a director, along with a dedicated team, to secure financing and support. Despite its modest budget, the film attracted attention at the Sundance Film Festival and received support from companies such as Bend It Films and international partners. The emotional depth and cultural relevance of the story helped her secure the necessary funding and make the film a reality.
Distribution
Read this Deadline feature on the distribution deal for Blinded By The Light and answer the following questions:
1) Which company won the distribution rights after the all-night auction and for how much?
New Line Cinema secured the worldwide distribution rights for Blinded By The Light after an all-night auction. The deal was valued at 15 million.
2) Which other companies were rumoured to be bidding for the distribution rights?
2) Which other companies were rumoured to be bidding for the distribution rights?
Lionsgate and Fox Searchlight,
3) According to the article, what was the 'allure' of Blinded By The Light?
3) According to the article, what was the 'allure' of Blinded By The Light?
The allure of Blinded By The Light was its universal themes of hope, courage, and the transformative power of music, particularly the music of Bruce Springsteen, which resonated across different cultures and age groups.
Marketing, promotion and reception
Watch the following clips to learn about the marketing and promotion of the film.
Watch the trailer for Blinded By The Light:
Watch the film being promoted on The One Show (BBC1):
Watch writer Sarfraz Manzoor talking about 1980s nostalgia and British-Asian identity:
Watch this 'fans dream' featurette produced by Bend It Networks:
1) What does the trailer suggest regarding genre and the potential audience pleasures of Blinded By The Light?
The trailer suggests that Blinded By The Light is a coming-of-age drama infused with musical elements. Potential audience pleasures include nostalgia for the 1980s, the inspirational journey of self-discovery, and the uplifting influence of Bruce Springsteen's music.
2) What TV shows and websites did interviews with writer, director and stars of Blinded By The Light? Why are interviews a good way to promote a new film release?
Interviews were conducted on TV shows like The One Show (BBC1) and featured on various entertainment websites. Interviews are an effective promotional tool as they provide insights into the film's creation, connect the audience with the cast and crew, and reach diverse audiences through different media platforms
.3) What did film posters for Blinded By The Light feature and where did they appear? You may need to research this on Google Images.
Film posters for Blinded By The Light typically featured the protagonist against a backdrop of 1980s imagery, often highlighting Bruce Springsteen's influence. These posters appeared in cinemas, on billboards, and across various online platforms to reach a broad audience.
4) What social media accounts did Blinded By The Light use to promote the film? Note: some sites may be blocked if you are working in school - you will need to use your phone or complete your research at home.
The film utilized platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to engage with audiences, share promotional content, and provide updates related to the film.
5) Select three posts from the Blinded By The Light Instagram page and explain how they promote the film.
Many of the posts consist of review quotes that describe the movie well and allow the audience to understand what the movie is about. They also portray the protagonist which can connect those viewers who are of the same background.
6) Go to the Bend It Networks YouTube channel. How does Gurinder Chadha introduce the channel? What other content is on the Bend It Networks YouTube channel?
Gurinder Chadha introduces the Bend It Networks YouTube channel as a platform to celebrate diverse stories and voices, particularly focusing on British-Asian experiences. The channel features content such as interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, cultural discussions, and highlights from Chadha's previous works.
7) Look at the box office figures for Blinded By The Light from The Numbers website. How much did it make at the box office and why do you think it was largely unsuccessful?
Blinded By The Light grossed approximately $19.5 million worldwide.
Factors that may have led to unsuccess perhaps included: limited marketing reach, competition from other releases at the time, and perhaps a niche target audience.
Factors that may have led to unsuccess perhaps included: limited marketing reach, competition from other releases at the time, and perhaps a niche target audience.
8) Click on the tabs with further information (such as 'News', 'Box Office' and 'Video Sales'). Copy and paste some more statistics or sales figures to add to your understanding of the film's financial performance.
Opening Weekend: $4,333,305 (36.4% of total gross)
Domestic Share: 60.9% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget: $15,000,000 (worldwide box office is 1.3 times production budget)
See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.
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