Greek Filmmakers shake up Ministry
FoG: “we want a constructive film law that would set standards, regulations, and incentives more in line with the rest of the European & international film community.”
Filmmakers of Greece (FoG) is a dynamic group that was first formed in March 2009 by a handful of mostly first-time Greek film directors to amend the outdated Greek film law. Today it consists of more than 200 prominent directors, producers and screenwriters who protest in order to have the long overdue ‘new’ national film law passed. A law that is crucial for the survival and evolution of the Greek film industry and its position amongst Europe and the rest of the world.
Deliberations for a new film law actively began some five years ago. The most recent effort created by the Ministry of Culture in 2008 was headed by renowned film director Costa Gavras. The committee identified and proposed the key elements for a constructive and enforceable law. The Gavras proposal focused on the transformation of the structure of governmental support in conjunction with the implementation of tax incentives to stimulate market development. Despite the recommendations made by this committee as well as others, no government since the 1980s has had the political will to pass and implement a new film law to this date.
Wishing to apply pressure and to stress the situation to the Greek Ministry of Culture, FoG announced the boycotting of this year’s annual STATE FILM AWARDS that are held at the end of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival (November 2009). This move was not aimed against the Festival, but was the only way to urge the Ministry of Culture to present the proposed film law to Parliament by September 1st 2009 – an ultimatum date set by FoG but not met by the Ministry. The lack of governmental initiative, as well as the untimely national elections that took place in Greece and brought a new government to power in October 2009, made it impossible for the deadline to be met.
FoG kept its promise and withdrew 23 features, 6 documentaries, and 28 shorts from TIFF 2009 and the STATE FILM AWARDS, essentially the bulk of this year’s film production (a total of 57 out of 65 films) thus forcing the Ministry to cancel the 2009 State Film Awards ceremony. With this action FoG members are also forfeiting over 300.000 Euros in prize monies and, in some cases the opportunity to have their films travel and represent Greece at other international film festivals. All this comes in a year when Greek cinema has received public interest and international acclaim in Cannes, Berlin and Locarno for the films: DOGTOOTH dir.Yorgos Lanthimos; STRELLA dir. Panos Koutras and, PLATO’S ACADEMY dir. Filipos Tsitos respectively.
In order to showcase their withdrawn films, director, producer and screenwriter members of FoG volunteered their services and organized a very successful week of screenings in Athens (November 5-11, 2009 at the Elli Cinema). The program included local and international premieres, the 2009 Un Certain Regard winner, the Locarno Best Male Actor winner and a Berlinale Panorama participant, and gave audiences the opportunity to view the films that aren’t participating at this year’s Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
FoG has received the widespread support from Greek Press as well as from prominent personalities in the Arts and Media. FoG vows to continue the fight for change till Filmmakers in Greece are met with respect and are provided with a modern and practical new film law that is more in line with the international industry.
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