Close Up (Jul-Dec 1928)

CLOSE UP Cinema-owners. We must not be immediately pessimistic. We are aware of the difficulties of this kind of enterprise, and the possibility of its furtherance need not be disputed. If to-morrow% or in three months, or in two years the Federation is ready, its first concern should be the consideration of the fifteen proposals already put forward by the French Cinemaowners. The first of these is directed against the entertainment tax; the second deprecates instigatory films ; the third demands the naming of the country of origin ; the fourth would penalise author's rights ; the fifth declares the over-long film to be a failure ; the sixth protests against blind booking ; the seventh and eighth recommend a loaning organisation as between cinema and cinema ; the ninth questions the demands of the film-makers ; the tenth is against communal undertakings; the eleventh calls for the standardisation of technical apparatus; the twelfth aims at abolishing scandals from the incidental circumstances of the film industry; the thirteenth expresses the opinion that the film in its character of specialised art-form needs special legislation ; the fourteenth pleads for social adjustments ; the fifteenth contains the germ of an international organisation such as is now in process of construction. A rich choice of debateable propositions, for the consideration of which there will be ample time before they can be translated into actuality. Meantime they are worthy of interest if only on account of the spirit inspiring them, the language in which they are couched, the ideals to which they appeal. What emerges most clearly is a recognition of the Film as material for Culture. Its educational, scientific and artistic value is insisted upon. The splendid principles B 17