FilmIndia (1940)

OX THE IRAQ FILMINDI A'S PROTEST BEG W'hai Is Our Grievance. 2 result that the future market for Indian films is threatened by the Iraq authorities. 2. Several mained in Ba peated the ent yor film* have resored for years inspite of re;ts because of : the Lord Maid who is sus pected of playing into the hands of the rival American interests and has consequently become the bitterest enemy of Indian films. 3. The local exhibitors in Iraq inspite of their willingness to show Indian pictures are directly influenced or threatened with a view to discourage any exploitation of Indian films. 4. Puerile tactics such as refusing to see the pictures, although previously arranged, keeping the representatives of Indian firms waiting unnecessarily and not replying to even registered requests, all combine to make the future of the Indian films in Iraq very uncertain unless the authorities there decide to look ur.:r. Indian rilrns m :re sympathetically in future. 5. Indians in general are also treated like criminals in Iraq: their finger prints are taken, and moreover, they are asked to produce a non-conviction certificate from the local C.IJD. Indians are chased out of their pests in the railways, electric companies, banks etc. 6. And in addition to all this Indians are called "Hind; Asvat" (Black Indian) b> this race of Muslims in Iraq who are supposed to be related in ties of brotherhood with Indians. What and Where is Iraq? 1. Iraq is a small Arab kingdom formerly known as Mesopotamia, 116,000 sq. miles in area, with a population of three and half million. Its capital is Baghdad, formerly a Turkish province. Iraq was organized as a state under the British Mandate after the last war. On December 14th. 1927, the Mandate was ended and Great Britain recognized the full Independence of Iraq. The country is independent but has special treaty relations with Britain and we find a British military mission, a police force with British inspectors, and the Royal Air Force squadron at various stations in Iraq. Because of its oil-fields Iraq has a strategical importance in the present war. The present ruler King Faisal II succeeded to the throne in 1939 and is hardly six years old. In the present war Iraq is our ally and fights with us shoulder to shoulder against our cornmen enemy. 2. In the last war Indian soldiers fought for the people of Iraq on the battlefields of Mesopotamia and with their blocd. sowed the seeds of freedom which the Iraqis are enjoying to-day. Once again Iraq has become a battlefield where the freedom of several nations will be decided, and once again Indian soldiers are standing shoulder to shoulder with their Iraqi brothers in defence of this freedom 3. The trade exchange between Iraq and India has been going up steadily since 1936 as will be seen from the following table: And with the war on. the figures will show further appreciation with Iraq buying from India more and ; a TBV'T What Is The Scope of Indian Films In Iraq ? 1. Iraq has six big stations which can consume not less than 25 Indian pictures per year. 2. A single Indian picture brings in an average return of Rs. 4.000 which means an aggregate business of Rs. 1.00.000 net on 25 films during the year. 3. Films that go to Iraq can also travel to further provinces yielding the following extra income: — (a) Trans-Jordan, six stations. Rs. 1.500 per film. (b) Palestine. six stations. Rs. 1.500 per film. (c) Syria, six stations. Rs. 2,000 per film. (d> Turkey, twelve stations. Rs. 2,500 per film. 4. The above-mentioned returns are on Indian pictures in the Hindusthani language, but if these pictures are dubbed in the Arabic language each film is likely to fetch a net return of Rs. 40.000 from Iraq alone. But this is only possible if Indian films are officially encouraged by the Iraq autho MR RANG AS PASSPORT RENEWED We understand that Mr. Kanga. who was finding it difficult to renew his passport for further stay in Iraq has now been granted Visa for another one year from the 4th of December 1940. In this connection, the Indian film industry feels grateful to Sir Homi Mody for his strong representation to the Foreign Department of the Government of India compelling the Iraqis to view things in the right way. nore of SANDS ite. md leather. 1936-37 1937-33 1938 39 1939-40 Imports from Iraq 53.7.S 52.43 46.00 58.00 Exports to Iraq 55,30 61.34 50.^9 59.89 And yet a country so dependant on India chooses to forget even its oc urtesy obligation to a nation of three hundred and fifty millions. ?8