Happy Birthday: Mike Leigh

Mike Leigh

Born: February 20, 1943 in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, UK

I’ve long since stopped worrying about how I’m portrayed in the press because ultimately it’s not that important. Everyone who knows me knows I do what I do with the greatest integrity.

I mean, I’ve been to screenings of the film where the laughter came at quite surprising – to me – points. But, you know, people laugh for a variety of reasons – with, or at, or out of embarrassment, or nervousness even. It’s not always a function of mirth.

If it’s the case that there are a lot of people who can’t or don’t see my films, I don’t really think that’s to do with me, or the nature of my films, or neglect of me. It’s to do with the continuing problem of the dissemination of British films on British screens. It’s to do with the domination of Hollywood. But, do I feel neglected? No, hand on heart, not at all, I feel lucky. I get to make films without even showing a script. To be honest, the fact that I’m allowed to do what I do in the way that I do it never ceases to amaze me.

SUBMIT your TV PILOT Screenplay or TV SPEC Script Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.

SUBMIT your Short Screenplay or FEATURE Script FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed

FIRST SCENE (first 10pgs) Screenplay CONTEST Submit the first stages of your film and get full feedback!