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CHAPTER XV
THE FOREIGN MARKET
In the general upheaval which has shaken the film world at the emergence of sound no single factor has received as much thoughtful consideration as that of export. Indeed, one may well remark that in a measure, as the new movement sweeps the domestic trade, the leaders knit their brows more intently over the riddle of conditions abroad. The problem is not entirely, as I have hinted in an earlier chapter, one of language. That in itself constitutes a snarl of serious complexity; yet, if that were all, it would surely yield to the fingers of time and patience. There are, however, other complications — a whole network of them, as one might readily expect. International questions are ever as stubborn as delicate and have a way of developing subtleties in inverse ratio to their initial simplicity.
Without attempting to minimize the difficulties of the outlook it is nevertheless of some steadying influence to realize the simple fact that, however great the problem, it is no more perplexing than countless others that have succumbed to the vigorous intelligence of American industry. What thought and persistence and tact have done before, and are still doing in many domains of salesmanship, can be done again. The challenge of reconstruction will daunt only those who have drifted with the tide. It will be breath to the nostrils of the fighters, young or old. We of the motion picture world need have no fear of a mere problem. Have we not triumphed over an enigma?
It will take time, of course. In the interim synchronism
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