Cinema Canada (Mar-Apr 1975)

CANADIAN FILITINEWS Film Symposium It’s becoming the Annual Gathering of the Clan, this Canadian Film Symposium held in Winnipeg. Part of the University of Manitoba’s Festival of Life and Learning, organised by Len Klady, and situated on University premises during the first week in February, it’s an annual State of the Union summary for the Canadian Film industry. And while the Winnipeg thermometer struggled up to a high of ten below, discussions inside were heated, and at this year’s event, much more focused than in the past. Morning and afternoon panel discussions centred on definite aspects of the industry rather than general talk which became repetitious. We’ve come forward since last year, and a greater industry sophistication in recognising problems more specifically proved to be the measure of whatever success the conference showed. There were lapses and omissions, of course. Again, discussions were entirely political, and the one panel set up to examine aesthetic considerations of Canadian film was halted by a political gesture before it could really get underway. But perhaps, even though such aesthetic discussion is needed, the true area for art is the films themselves speaking for themselves, and each evening the two features shown spoke volumes. They also attracted the student body at large, which, again this year, the panels did not. At the same time, the lack of student support is not a cause for concern; the main purpose of the gathering (and a very necessary one it is) is to bring together the industry in all its diversity, whether by job or ideology. And to pin down various people about policy or the lack of it. It’s also fitting that the West should host the conference; filmmakers from Québec to Vancouver got together, and they did it outside of Toronto or Montreal. Unlike last year’s conference, where any political activities had an ad hoc impetus, this year’s manoeuvres were planned well in advance, mainly by the Council of Canadian Filmmakers’ contingent. Some political focusing is essential, mainly in order to elicit some 6 Cinema Canada reaction from the government representatives who reveal themselves better in a confrontation situation, but at the same time, too few panels saw a wide range of views expressed. The CCFM does represent much of the industry, but in its zeal it sometimes can overpower, as in the aesthetic panel, which lay in ruins after their political deadline fell during the discussion. Pll try to summarise each panel, although space limitations do prevent all voices from being heard. But the important points are here, and, taken as a whole, an idea of the state of affairs can be realised. Provincial Responsibility. The Panel: Director Marcel Bulbulian, exhibitor Paul Morton, Manitoba government rep Allan Early, activist Sandra Gathercole, Québec government rep Jacques Parent. conspicuously absent were Ontario and B.C. government reps, who, as Len Klady explained, weren’t in attendance because they had no policy. Basically the government reps present outlined official positions, with Manitoba emphasizing its support of quotas for features because access to theatrical exhibition is the key to developing an industry, even to the point of entertaining the idea of buying a major circuit, and Québec concentrating on shorts, specifically the problems involved in developing indigenous competence and output in the educational field, most of which now comes from France or the U.S., neither country providing materials suitable to the Québec culture or self-image. Parent said that legislation will be brought down in the Spring regarding a full A-V provincial policy and program. Paul Morton emphasized the commercial considerations involved in feature exhibition, and as usual was placed in the position of representing all exhibition and that segment of the industry’s myriad sins. Thankfully, though, the discussion was more than a diatribe, as all admitted a need to work together rather than expending energy in attacking each other and rehashing old arguments. A definite step forward. Morton explained that no investment was Odeon policy, and even though he personally disagreed with it, he also cautioned against too much integration in the industry by any one segment or one company. Marcel Bulbulian, representing the Québec directors’ association, ARFQ, presented the association proposal for Québec cinema, highlighted by the provision for a combined government-filmmakers council overseeing Québec film activity. The Canadian Film Development Corporation. The Panel: CFDC Executive Director Michael Spencer, director Denys Héroux, activist André Paquet, producer Chalmers Adams. This panel obviously concentrated on the CFDC, but again the emphasis was correct: rather than complaining about past injustices, the discussion centred on the future of the CFDC. As Spencer emphasized, the CFDC has accomplished its main purpose, to build a base by getting features made. Now it’s time to revise the Act and move the industry ahead. What Spencer wants (and the CFDC Act does come up in Parliament this Spring) is more financial support from other sources such as TV and the box office, quotas and/or levies, evolution into the role of a banker rather than a producer, more support for non-commercial as well as commercial movies, both features and shorts increasing investment to sixty or seventy per cent, more money and involvement in promotion, money for script development, provision of money for quality awards, ultimately attaining a position where producers come to the CFDC last, to complete a budget, rather than first. Héroux emphasized the need for expanded distribution, especially in English Canada via dubbing and subtitling fund support, while Adams cautioned against too much CFDC involvement, thus destroying incentive and giving rise to the possibility of censorship. At the same time, he said the CFDC should act as a lever to obtain more money for TV sales, and more from the box office, possibly via a royalty system. A motion was put forward and carried deploring the lack of representation by Ontario and B.C. Television and Film. This panel was cancelled because the CBC, after promising local and national representatives, declined to send anyone. The National Film Board. The Panel: NFB Assistant Commissioner André Lamy, producer Werner Aellen, NFB filmmaker Robin Spry, NFB Win