The film daily year book of motion pictures (1929)

as follows : Sovkino 53, Wufku 27, Mejrabpomfilm 29; also 176 educationals. The themes fur motion pictures in the Soviet Union deal with the contemporary life of Russia and with incidents out of Russian history. The Russian classics, such as the works by Tolstoy, Gogol, Pushkin. Chekhov and Gorky and others supply material for pictures. During 1928-29, for the first time it is expected that there will appear pictures by joint production of U.S.S. R. and other countries including Germany France and also United States. Information compiled by the Motion Picture Section of the Dep't of Commerce concerning the types of pictures made during the 1927-1928 year indicate that, while production is still largely confined to propagandic subjects, Russia is beginning to wean herself from this type of picture, recognizing more and more that to achieve a place in the international production fraternity her producers must make entertainment films. Sovkino's net profits in 1928 amounted to 6,000,000 rubles. The Soviet of Commissaries of the People has decided to reorganize the industry along new lines, the first point of the project being that no more state subventions be granted. Domestic raw stock production will be organized. Important credits are to be granted for an extension of the theater net work. Imports from abroad are to be reduced in proportion to the increase of domestic production. On the other hand, instructional films must be imported for educational and economic purposes. It is further reported that management of the producing outfits in Moscow and Leningrad will be changed. The three Russian subsidiaries in Germany, Sovkino-Derussa, Mejrabpomfilm — Prometheus and Belgoskino-Homfilm are to be amalgamated into one organization. These plans are said to have been officially approved by the Soviets. For production are utilized directors including Eisenstein, Pudovkin, Ozep, Romm, Taritch, Protosanov and a number of young directors. During 1928-29 the construction of two studios will be completed : one for Sovkino in Moscow at a cost of $6,200,000 and one for Wufku in Kiev at a cost of $1,900,000. The important producing units are : CENTRAL RUSSIA (R.S.F.S.R.) Sovkino, Moscow. Mejrabpomfilm, Moscow. Gosvoenkino, Moscow. Tchuvashkino-Cheboksari. UKRAINE Wufku. WHITE RUSSIA Belgoskino. TRANSCAUCASIA Gruzgoskino, Tiflis. Asgoskino, Baku. Armenkino, Erivan. CENTRAL ASIA Uzbekgoskino. Taxes — Very high. Theaters — There are in all 8,767 exhibition units throughout the Soviet Union. Of these, there are 1,900 or 21 per cent commercial theaters. Of these 1,900 commercial theaters, the majority are small theaters of from 100 to 200 seating capacity in small cities and towns and showing pictures only once or twice a week. Commercial theaters are either under the management or belong to the following organizations : Under the Dept. of Education, 35 per cent ; under Sovkino 3 per cent ; under different organizations and societies 21 per cent; to professional units 40 per cent and one per cent belonging to private individuals. The balance of the total of 8,767 units is divided as follows : Workers' Clubs 2,767 or 31 per cent; and 1,184 or 14 per cent so called Peasant Ambulant theaters which are sent into villages from time to time. There are also about 2,496 (29 per cent) of temporary or occasional units. Imports from U. S. A. — 1927—10,221 ft.; value $564. 1928 — 4,300 ft. ; value $250. Exports to U. S. A. — 1927 — 59,260 ft.; value $2,474. 1928 — 101,230 ft.; value $5,899. General — For the purpose of export and import and also for the purchase of materials and machinery there are organized abroad companies, among which the most important is the Amkino Corp., in New York, having a jurisdiction over United States, Canada and Central America and a special company in Berlin. SALVADOR Agitation — -None. Censorship — Governors appoint censors. Competition — 75% American, 10% France, 10% Italy, 5fr German. Copyright Relations — ■ Inter-American Copyright Convention, Mexico City, Jan. 27, 1902. Ratified April 9, 1908. Production — None. Taxes — H igh. Theaters — 35. San Salvador, 5; Santa Ana, 3. Imports from U. S. A. — 1927— 105,214 ft.; value $1,692. 1928— 58,789 ft.; value $1,996. Exports to U. S. A. — None. SCANDINAVIA Sec Denmark, Norway, Sweden. SOUTH AFRICA Agitation — Considerable by the press against American films. No official legislation. Censorship — Very strict. Each province in the Union of South Africa has the power to formulate own censorship laws. Competition — 75% American films shown. Copyright Relations — Copyright Act, 1909. By proclamation, June 26, 1924. Production — Some local effort. Unimportant. Theaters— 425. Cape Town, 27. For the first time in many years it now appears that the African Theaters, Ltd., the Schlesinger interests are having real opposition in the field. Kinemas Limited, a new venture has been launched and is offering real competition to this organization. Imports from U. S. A. — 1927— 3,882,836 ft.; value $108,333. 1928— 2,694.184 ft.; value $ 83,043. Exports to U. S. A. — 1927— 13,366 ft.; value $ 351. 1928 — 32,855 ft.; value $1,531 DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS JOHANNESBURG African Film Prod. Ltd., Box 2787. African Films, Ltd., Box 4552. Kinemas, Ltd., P. O. Box 6461. • • » SPAIN Agitation — A proposal has been made to the Spanish Government suggesting a contingent on the basis of seven Spanish-produced films for each 100 foreign films imported or an average ratio of about 14 to one. Censorship — No fixed censor laws in Spain. The Civil Governor is supreme. While there are at present two censors at Madrid and Barcelona, soon only the Madrid office will function. The Civil Governor appoints at will, organizations and individuals to assist him in this work. Competition — 85% American films shown. Copyright Relations — Established by Presidential Proclamation July 10, 1895; extended Dec. 10, 1898, and Nov. 26, 1902. Production — Spanish production in 1927 totaled about 12 feature pictures. Same number for 1928. Production is intermittent. Taxes — Very heavy. Theaters— 2,062. As of July 1, 1928, the 2,062 theaters totaled 1,463,750 seats. Of this total, 327 with 259,250 seats operate daily; while the remainder, 1,735 with 1,209,500 seats operate irregularly. One of the important developments in ex 1041