Kinematograph year book (1948)

Overseas. 561 ARGENTINA '"PHE Government Department responsible for ■■■ all film matters is the Bureau of Public Spectacles of the Ministry of the Interior. The number of kinemas in Argentina on January i. 1947, was 1,770, 1,650 of which are in operation ; total seating capacity is 871,980. There are 201 kinemas in Buenos Aires, with total seating capacity of 165,600. There are about 12 16-mm. commercial kinemas. Theatre circuits are comparatively small, most theatres being owned by local independent exhibitors. The principal circuits are : Cia. Cinematografica del Norte (40 kinemas), Sociedad Exhibidora Financiera (19), Clemente Lococo (18), Sociedad Exhibidora Rosarina (13), Sociedad Anonima Cinematogranca (10), Sociedad Exhibidora Cordobesa (9), Cia. Exhibidora Argentina (9), Cia. Central Cinematografica (8 first-run, Buenos Aires), and Asociacion Bonaerense Cinematografica (6). Admission prices : In first-run kinemas in Buenos Aires they range between 2 pesos (2s. 6d.) to 3 pesos (3s. 9d.). For certain films prices are increased to 3 pesos and 5 pesos respectively. Average price for early matinee programmes is 1.50 pesos (approx. is. iod.). In provinces prices range from 60 centavos (approx. 8 id.) to 3 pesos. Tax : 17 centavos on every 10 centavos or fraction and per 100 seats for the period April till October, and 13 centavos for the rest of year ; from 1.50 pesos to 2.50 pesos the tax is 25 and 20 centavos for the respective periods, and on 2.50 pesos or over 40 and 35 centavos respectively. There are special taxes payable on signs, posters and advertisements in programmes. Taxes are also payable by producers of advertising films, and there is a municipal tax on film vaults of 150 pesos per year. The total number of feature films shown during 1946 was 478 ; 32 Argentinian, 310 American, 53 Mexican, 23 French, 15 Russian, 15 British, 16 Spanish, 6 Chilean, 2 Swiss, 4 Italian, I Uruguayan and 1 Brazilian. Quota : A percentage of exhibition time must be devoted to home product. This varies from II to 40 per cent, of the total time, depending on the type of theatre. One week per month must be reserved for Argentinian films in all first-run or large kinemas in the centre of Buenos Aires. Provincial theatres must devote two weeks in every five to home product. Producers must devote 10 per cent, of their productions to subjects of a national character, mainly scientific, artistic or literary. These films have to be produced with Argentinian artists and equipment. Exchange regulations : Free market exchange remittances are subject to a tax of 3 per cent, plus 1 per cent, of the equivalent of the amount remitted. Exchange bought in the official market is subject to a further charge of threefourths of 1 per cent. Film censorship : This is carried out by municipal committees and the Bureau of Public Spectacles. These bodies act independently and a film banned by the one may be approved by the other. Classifications are as follows : (1) unrestricted, (2) special films for children, (3) not proper for children under 14 years of age or under 18 years, (4) not proper for children under 18 years unless accompanied by an adult, (5) films banned altogether. The municipal government of Buenos Aires, on January 13. 1947, announced an ordinance requiring film distributors to pay a fee for censorship review of films by the Commission. A fee of £3 2S. 6d. is payable on films up to 15 minutes running time, £25 on films of 90 minutes or over. Customs : Import duties on exposed film are 15 pesos gold or 34.09 paper pesos* per kilogram, including the weight of the container. Duty on unexposed film is 3.20 paper pesos per kilogram. A sales tax of 1.25 per cent, of the value is charged on sales of film accessories, but home manufactured accessories are exempt. At the end of August, 1947, all foreign film remittances were frozen by the Government. Until then, U.S. companies had been drawing about 2,500,000 dollars a year in remittances. There are 10 studios operating in Argentina at present, five of which are independent. About 60 feature films were produced in Argentina during 1947. — H. H. Wollenberg. Directory TRADE ASSOCIATIONS Asociacion Productores de Peiiculas Argentinas Ayacucho 362, Buenos Aires. Asociacion de Empresarios Ginematograficos, Ayacucho 290, Buenos Aires. Asociacion Gremial de la Industria Cinematografica Argentina, Bernardo de Irigoyen 118, Buenos Aires. Asociacion de Actores, Santa Fe 1243, Buenos Aires. Asociacion de Cronistas Ginematograficos, Corrientes 1565, Buenos Aires. Academia de Arte y Ciencias Cinematograficas de la Argentina, Montevideo 641, Buenos Aires. Asociacion de Directores, Teatro Maipo, Buenos Aires. Cine Club Argentine Maipu 28, Buenos Aires. IVIuseo Cinematografico Argentino, Rio Bamba 423, Buenos Aires. Sindicato de Operadores Ginematograficos, Maza 1 1 19, Buenos Aires. Sociedad de Criticos, Cronistas y Ensayistas de Cine, Rio Bamba 423, Buenos Aires. Union Operadores Ginematograficos, Gallo 837, Buenos Aires. Union Proteccion Acomodadores, Peru 151, Buenos Aires. Asociacion Cinematografica Mutual, Sarmiento 1735, Buenos Aires. Asociacion Argentina de Extras, Defensa 448, Buenos Aires. DISTRIBUTORS Astral Film, Lavalle 1974, Buenos Aires. Artistas Unidos (United Artists), Lavalle 1747, Buenos Aires. Artkino Pictures, Rio Bamba 423, Buenos Aires. British Films, J.E. Uriburu 570, Buenos Aires. Gentro Film, Lavalle 1943, Buenos Aires. . Ceibo Films, J.E. Uriburu 570, Buenos Aires. Cinematografica Interamericana, Corrientes 2021 Buenos Aires. Columbia Pictures, Lavalle 2086, Buenos Aires. Distribuidora Franco Argentina de Films, Lavalle 2057, Buenos Aires. Distribuidora Cinematografica Ballesteros de la Argentina, Lavalle 1981, Buenos Aires. Films Internacionales, Lavalle 1987, Buenos Aires. Filmos, Ayacucho 281, Buenos Aires. Films Wundiales, Ayacucho 273, Buenos Aires;