British films

All of us love to believe in magic. Look at the crowds thronging to see the wonderful Harry Potter movie – there are thrilling adventures and terrifying villains, but what we want most is to witness real magic.

Your chances of winning the National Lottery, for instance, are estimated at 14 million to one – but almost every week, someone achieves a miracle and collects the jackpot. Every one of us who buys a lottery ticket thinks winning is possible. If we honestly believed we had no hope, we’d save our money. But that little flame of optimism burns unquenchably, and we believe, just a little bit – enough to make the bet look good.For anyone but a statistician, 14 million to one is meaningless. Every bet is 50-50 – either you win or you don’t. It’s that indestructible confidence that makes me love Britain so much. Nowhere else in the world is quite like these wet, windy, indomitable islands. Though I was born in Israel and have lived in America, Japan, Mexico and most places in-between, Britain was the only place Hanna and I wanted to raise our children.This is home to me, so much that last year I applied for, and got, a British passport.
I love the way that the British punch above their weight – Americans love to remind me that a single US state, Texas, is hundreds of times bigger than England … but who dominates international movies? The Texans or the Brits? I’ve been working with two young British film-makers, Jon Roberts and James Eaves, on an independent movie called Diagnosis. These young men are outstandingly talented, and there’s no doubt in my mind that they have the ability to conquer Hollywood. Success on that scale is the dream of every talented youngster, but the British have an edge. I am convinced it all hinges on self-belief – believe in yourself and others will believe in you too.