Birdsong

I noticed on imdb.com that Sebastian Faulk's novel, Birdsong, is currently under production and due for release next year (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1127876/).

It looks like a British production, with Michael Fassbender playing Stephen Wraysford and Paddy Considine taking on the role of Jack Firebrace.

Birdsong was a book I enjoyed, and one that I made quick work of when reading it several years ago. At the time, I did think the book would be an excellent candidate to make the transition from page to screen and am actually a little surprised it has taken quite so long.

I would have two main concerns with this particular project. First of all, like with any literary adaptation, there is the problem of what stays and what goes. Although War films often approach, and even encroach, the 3 hour mark, it would be a tall order to cram an entire novel into this time frame (my edition, by Vintage, is 503 pages). Therefore editing is inevitable and, if handled correctly, could lead to a thoroughly entertaining film. If dealt with poorly then the result is obvious.

Secondly, I would have a concern over the film's budget. Any period piece requires substantial funds to ensure accurate costumes, props, and set design. But a film dealing with the First World War, and including several action sequences, will require a large amount of money towards special effects in order that the film achieves historical accuracy, captures the scale of the conflict, and the destructive force of the combat. Failure in this area would leave the film open to critical attack and commercial failure.

That said, I eagerly await the finished article as it seems to me there has been a shortage of films dealing with WW1 in recent years (it is highly probable there have been some and I am not aware of them). The only one worthy of note, and that comes to mind, is Jean-Pierre Jeunet's A Very Long Engagement (2005). However, with the the centenary of the Great War approaching, I am almost certain that Birdsong will be the first in a fairly long line of films, TV shows, radio productions, newspaper features, etc. to deal with this hugely important and significant subject.

The First World War Conference

I attended the First World War: Music, Literature and Memory conference at King's College, Cambridge last weekend (11/12th July) and found the experience most rewarding.

Although my inferiority complex, propensity for timidity, and strong Scottish accent prevented me from speaking to as many people as I would have liked to, the event was definitely beneficial. As someone who will need to present a paper, at some point in the not-too-distant future, it was of great value to be in the position purely of observer.

It was re-assuring to see how supportive, receptive, and attentive fellow delegates were towards those giving papers. Praise was awarded when due, and perceptive questions were asked, and answered, creating spots of lively debate. There was a definite sense of support, or camaraderie, extended to all who attended, and there was, thankfully, an absence of aloofness.

In terms of content, the papers delivered were, on the whole, enlightening, engaging, and varied in their subject matter. I enjoyed all the papers I was able to see (some sessions had papers running concurrently), where topics included: Wagner's music in Mrs Dalloway; the 'musical microcosm' of British prisoners of war at Ruhleben Camp; and an insight into the First World War literature of Austria.

In conclusion, the conference provided me with fresh ideas and perspectives both in terms of authors and research avenues (more on this later). As well as being informative, the conference provided me with valuable insight into how these sort of things operate. In this respect it was most rewarding because I discovered that presenting a paper, in front of a knowledgable audience, will not be as terrifying an experience as I had pictured in my mind...

Yes, it will only be moderately horrific.