Feudal societies don't create great cinema; we have great theatre. The egalitarian societies create great cinema. The Americans, the French. Because equality is sort of what the cinema deals with. It deals with stories which don't fall into 'Everybody in their place and who's who,' and all that. But the theatre's full of that.

In this quote, Brian Cox is discussing the relationship between societal structures and the art forms that emerge from them. He contrasts feudal societies, which were based on rigid social hierarchies, with more egalitarian societies, where equality is emphasized. According to Cox, cinema thrives in societies that promote equality because it allows for more dynamic and complex narratives that break away from traditional structures, such as the rigid class distinctions seen in feudalism.

Cox argues that cinema, by its nature, challenges conventional notions of class and social order, offering stories that explore themes of freedom, individuality, and the fluidity of human experience. These themes resonate more in egalitarian societies, like America and France, where the idea of social mobility and individual expression is celebrated. He suggests that cinema often explores characters and stories that do not fit into predefined roles, unlike theatre, which, in his view, is more concerned with status and the hierarchy of society, where individuals typically "know their place."

The statement also highlights Cox's belief that cinema is a medium that deals with the complexities of human relationships, often presenting narratives that transcend traditional power dynamics. In contrast, theatre, which has a long history in feudal and monarchical societies, tends to focus on status and order, emphasizing fixed roles for its characters. While both art forms offer valuable cultural contributions, Cox implies that the egalitarian values in certain societies have allowed cinema to flourish in ways that theatre cannot, due to its more rigid, hierarchical storytelling.

Ultimately, Cox is pointing out that the artistic expressions found in egalitarian societies, where ideas of equality and individualism are more prominent, naturally lend themselves to the creation of innovative and powerful cinema, whereas societies that prioritize hierarchy tend to produce more theatre that reflects their societal structure. This distinction sheds light on the way culture and art are shaped by the underlying social systems in which they emerge.