With an impressive repertoire under his belt including Good Vibrations (2012) Cup Cake (2010) and the highly anticipated I Am Belfast (2015), Chris Martin warns of the effects of austerity on the future of film culture in Northern Ireland in a statement against DCAL’s cuts to major film organisations in Northern Ireland:
“Here is the thing. In this age of so called austerity, the need to save, to cut back, to make an instant impact on balance sheets, the long term effects are not always given appropriate thought. What has got us out of the darkest of days? What has sparked change in people? And what have been the catalysts? In all honesty, I believe it has been a choice for people in this county, a choice of lifestyles, of occupations, an alternative to the old taking of sides of the past. The ability to explore a new world of prospects and ideas, a world that the arts and cinema has opened up to people. It is imperative that we support the education, festivals and exhibition of film at this start point, at the base level of investment, as any small erosion of a boulder or two can inevitably and without warning lead to a landslide and collapse of a whole infrastructure. We can do things the cheap way, the simple way, for the short-term and without regard for the future. Or, we can make the extra effort, do the hard work, absorb the criticism and make decisions that will cause a better future. Having screened, work shopped with and won awards for our films at the various organisations that will be effected, I know first hand the impact of the proposed cuts and I am especially frustrated at the possible impact for the younger generation. Whenever any film gets lost in the ether, someone is deprived of the joy of seeing or hearing about it, and the great effort of those who created the work is damaged and the lives of those deprived of the experience are the poorer for it.”