Cinema Canada (Mar 1983)

Major resistance (cont. from p. 3) the government's efforts to monitor the sale and distribution of video materials. Although the CMPDA declined to furnish Cinema Canada with a copy of its brief, a French copy was obtained prior to the hearings. The quotes therefore, in the analysis which follows, are freely translated. Article 79 In brief, if a distribution visa is requested for a non-French language film, an equal number of French versioned copies and other-language copies must be made available to the Quebec public. If a French version is not available and the distributor can show that versioning has been undertaken, the nonFrench copies may receive a visa. In cases where no French version is anticipated, a 60-day visa is awarded, after which time the film must be withdrawn from circulation and wait 180 days before again requesting a distribution visa. The CMPDA states that its members make every effort to provide French versions of blockbusters as soon as they are available, but that the decisions involved in dubbing a film take a long time, and the effect of the law would be to retard the launching of American films in Quebec by at least six months. (Exceptions to the contrary, however, can be found. The Verdict, for instance, is already playing in France in French — a date which would have fallen with 60-days of its first launch in Quebec in English — but the French version is not expected to screen in Quebec until later this Spring.) Moreover, the CMPDA states that the average cost of dubbing a feature is $45,000, and that the Majors are obliged to dub in France because French law prohibits the screening of films which have been dubbed in other countries. The brief states: “Unfortunately, the Québécois dubbing industry cannot rival that of France. One must be very naive to believe that such an industry can become qualified and capable of responding to the needs of its film clientele through legislation.” It goes on to state that the director of a film usually exercises total control over the ar tistic-dubbing process, and that the distributor is but a bit player in the process. Quebec sources maintain, however, that the cost of dubbing in Quebec is between $20,000-$25,000 and wonder why the free market — the keystone of the CMPDA brief — is not allowed to function in this case. Articles 75 and 110 Both of these articles would require distributors to submit a copy of their contracts to the Régie. The CMPDA hopes thata simple affidavit will suffice, maintaining that the confidential information contained in contracts are no business of the government, and that the length of the contracts would pose a problem of red-tape for the Régie. Article 91 Like the Quebec independent distributors, the CMPDA is happy with the creation of a monitored ticket system and hopes that the government will publish the box office grosses weekly rather than simply gather the information for internal use as is now the intention of the law. Article 97 Obviously, this article, which requires 80% Canadian ownership of distribution companies, says clearly that the Majors may not continue to do business in the province without seriously modifying their relationships to Quebec's independents. The CMPDA wonders why the Canadian ownership require© ment is mandatory for distributors and not for exhibitors or producers. In an analysis which must surely offend the sensibilities of Quebecers, the CMPDA states that no similar legislation exists in the western world, and that only Mozambique has enacted such law. Stating that Mozabique has become isolated from the international cinema scene, it goes on, “We do not believe that the Québécois wish to follow the Mozambican model.” The brief goes on to state that the legislation, if enacted, “will result in awakening the hostility of persons and organizations involved in the cinema industry, and will isolate Quebec, creating no new employment.” The members of the CMPDA “will not accept to be so treated. They are good corporative citizens who pay their taxes regularly, employ Québécois and have done business in the province since the beginnings of cinema.” Although the brief maintains that the Majors have always helped “valid Québécois films,” its own statistics prove otherwise. In Annex III, which lists | the films distributed by the Majors over the years, only one French title is listed, Les Plouffe distributed by Columbia. This film has not yet been released in the U.S. As for the accuracy of the list itself, over seven errors are made as to production companies, one film is listed by its American and not Canadian title, and one listed film was never made. ‘The CMPDA implores the government to concentrate its efforts in the promotion of production and to leave the Majors CONGRATULATES | “1983 GENIE NOMINEES” August Schellenberg Best performance by an actor 14/Cinema Canada March 1983 Latitude 55 Trudy Young Lisl i . —— ~ Best performance by an actress in a supporting role Melanie alone. Meanwhile, the Association Québécoise des Distributeurs de Films (AQDF) feels article 97 doesn’t go far enough, and that it would still be possible for the Majors to establish fronts for distribution while maintaining all decisionary power. The AQDF asks the government to implement the recommendation of the Fournier Committee that the government verify that distribution rights of the Majors have effectively been given up for the Quebec territory before a film be awarded a visa. Cinema Canada hopes to be able to print lengthy extracts from the CMPDA and ADFQ briefs if and when English versions become available. TORONTO — Local independent * television station CITY-TV will pay $4,000 each for three scripts “which in some way reflect the contemporary Toronto experience” for its planned Toronto Trilogy of half-hour dramas to be produced as part of the city’s sesquicentennial celebrations in 1984. The scripts, which should represent a 22-minute drama involving no more than six characters and four different locations, and should be typed, double-spaced, and no more than 22 pages in length, must be submitted to CITY no later April 15, 1983.