Documentary News Letter (1947-1949)

DOCUMENTARY FILM NEWS SURVEY OF FILMS— Summary of UNESCO's Report on Technical Needs NO 2— CZECHOSLOVAKIA, POLAND and YUGOSLAVIA the three countries considered in this issue now have nationalized film industries. They are also characterized by their growing documentary film production. Czechoslovakia All production, distribution, import and export and exhibition of films was nationalized in August 1945. A special film department of the Ministry of Information was made responsible for launching the new State industry operating through the Czechoslovak Motion Picture Company. This company has separate sections for all types of production, distribution and exhibition, including one for research and education. The Trade Unions have a direct share in control and management. The number of cinemas operating today is roughly the same as pre-war, though considerable expansion is planned. The present position is as follows: 35 mm 16 mm cinemas cinemas In Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia 1,631 .39 In Slovakia 245 23 The figure for weekly cinema attendances in 1946 was approximately two million. There is considerable variety in the films shown, a far wider range of foreign films being imported and given general distribution than is customary in Britain. Percentages of all films shown from mid1946 to mid1947 is as follows: Features Shorts Czechoslovakia — new 4.5 37 — reissued 21 USSR 23 25 UK 19 18 USA 18 15 France 1 1 5 Sweden 3 Switzerland and Belgium 0.5 Total number of films 515 340 Home production is in a relatively fortunate position. Studios are fairly extensive and wellequipped, though there is a shortage of trained technicians. Before the war between 30 and 40 feature films were produced each year. The 1946 figure was 12, but for 1947 25 films are planned and for 1948, 30. There are also a number of short film units (including one puppet film department), with an output in 1946 of 50 films. Three weekly newsreels are produced and a news magazine twice a month. Films in Education The use of films in schools is being developed considerably. This is the responsibility of the Czech Cinematographic Society under the Ministry of Education, with a similar body working in Slovakia. The Society has the right to produce its own films for schools, but in 1946 only 5 were made in this way though 15 are planned' for 1948. These films will be 16 mm silent. Most of the films at present used by schools are documentaries made by other sections of the industry. The Society's library contains some 125 titles, mostly re-edited German material, but it is hoped to extend its range by exchange arrangements with Switzerland, England. America and Sweden. In the country's 17,000 primary and secondary schools there are some 2,000 projectors (as against 300 pre-war) but only 50 of these are sound. The Czechoslovak Film Institute also plays an important part in the educational field. It has a library of film classics and is responsible for the improvement of technical standards in production and exhibition, and for the training of technicians. Training facilities are well advanced. In conjunction with the Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Institute provides full courses for all grades of technicians and artists. NEWS FROM UNO 16 mm copies of The People's Charier, the first documentary made by the UN Film Board, can now be got from the Central Film Library. It should be very useful for showing to groups of older students and adults who may be studying any aspect of the world as it is today. During the next seven months ten documentaries on widely varying subjects will be made (under the direct financial sponsorship of the UN Film Board) by ten member nations. * * * International Realist, with Lewis Gilbert (of GB) as Director, are at work on the film allocated to Britain under the scheme. The film is at present called Common Ground and sets out to show the community of interest between people in different counties who work* at the same jobs. * * * The UN Film Board is preparing an international catalogue of films to which all nations are being asked to subscribe by sending in all information available about all films, features and shorts, made by each of them. * * * Two film strips are already available for free distribution from UN Headquarters. Five others are being made. These will be ideal for use by adult education groups and will be issued with accompanying charts and teaching notes in a variety of languages. * * * Edinburgh first and then London by the spring is the timetable for the exhibition of Our Road to Peace now on its way from New York. After London it will go off on tour of the Provinces. Poland All branches of the film industry in Poland were also nationalized in 1945. A State enterprise, Film Polski, is the responsible agency supervising all activities including research, training, and educational films which are the business of the Polish Film Institute. Production is'the only field open to private undertakings which can hire the nationalized studios. Before the war Poland had some 800 cinemas, but most of these were destroyed. Today 560 are in operation with a seating capacity of 230,000. Present weekly attendances are in the neighbourhood of half a million. For the size of the popula tion cinema facilities and cinema going are by no means highly developed. It has been estimated that 180 feature films a year are required. In 1945-46 Poland imported from: USSR 40 films France . . . . 43 ,, Sweden . . . . . . 10 .. Switzerland .. .. .. 2 .. USA . . a few In 1947 contracts were concluded for 40 British films, 65 American and some French. Poland also imports now from Czechoslovakia and Italy. Production facilities are very limited, much equipment was destroyed. Although only two feature films have been completed, 150 news reels and long documentaries and 50 short documentaries were made by June 1947. Educational Films Educational films are the concern of the Polish Film Institute w hich is responsible for production, distribution, research, film societies, and the training of technicians. The Institute has two studios and has produced films on a wide range of subjects. A Scientific Film Institute has also been established. There are 500 16 mm silent and 10-20 sound projectors available for school use on a travelling basis; only a few schools have their own machines. The Institute's Central Film Library contains 250 titles, the majority silent. Special series of shows are also arranged for adult audiences. Despite the initiative being shown in all fields, Poland is still gravely handicapped by the losses it has suffered. The shortage of equipment and trained technicians is acute. Yugoslavia Before the war there was practically no film industry in the country. Cinema going and the use of films for other purposes had hardly been developed. The new Government has set about remedying the deficiency. A central Cinema Commission has been created, to work with similar commissions in each of the six federated republics. Its primary function is to build studios and develop production, and to expand the number of cinemas and mobile projection units. At present there are only 120 to 150 small cinemas, poorly equipped. Weekly attendance is just over half a million. Of the films shown in 1947 75-85 per cent were Russian. 10-15 per cent French, with one Yugoslav film. An agreement has also been concluded for a number of films from Czechoslovakia. In general the countrx is relying therefore on Eastern Europe for its programmes. Homo production has hardly got under way. Apart from newsreels a few documentary films have been made so far, though future plans are ambitious. Educational Films Educational film use is undeveloped for the same reasons. 5 films are, howe\er. scheduled for production this year, and a special educational film studio is planned. 300 projectors are available. There is therefore a great need for equipment of all kinds and for contact with educational film activities in other countries.