Ask yourself this: when was the last time you've supported your local film industry. When was the last time you saw a student short, participated in an evening of nostalgia, b-grade horror or went to the independent cinemas to see something "arty"?

When was the last time you went to a cinema to see something you've never heard of or never seen a review for? When was the last time you walked away, not only entertained but full of inspiration because you'd seen something different or challenging? What was the last film you saw that actually had more substance than the popcorn you'd consumed?

Just because we have the studio and star system doesn't mean we have to obey the whims and demands of the great publicity machine. Could the next James Cameron film perhaps finance the purchase of basic farming equipment for underprivileged nations? Could Steven Speilberg help the oppression and suffering of the Tibetan people? Perhaps George Lucas could help to overthrow disease in Africa?

Perhaps, but I guess it wouldn't be as entertaining and the video and DVD residuals would suck. Perhaps we'll have to endure another Gwyneth Paltrow film while 10,000 people die because their dam dried up years ago.

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