Funding crisis hits Russian films
New minister closes film agency
Event opens with Thai film 'Moment in June'
10/7/08 5:40pm
Marrakech festival sets eclectic slate
Moroccan, British cinema highlight Nov. event
10/7/08 5:05pm
Smith to Edinburgh
Producer to head festival
10/7/08 4:16pm
Tokyo Filmex unveils vast lineup
Festival to bow on Nov. 22 - 30
10/7/08 3:14pm
'Tulpan' takes Reykjavik's Puffin
Pic also named Discovery of the Year
10/7/08 7:56am
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A new body will eventually replace the Federal Agency for Cinematography and Culture, which had been headed by Mikhail Shvydkoi. It will bring cultural policy and implementation under one roof after several years when the agency alone worked with filmmakers.
But such an arrangement is not yet in place, which means producers may not be able to push ahead with public funding bids for months.
The current situation will also delay a long-planned Russian-German co-production treaty that was almost complete after months of high-level negotiations.
"The Russians cannot afford to let this drag on too long as projects will get held up if there is no formal mechanism for putting in tenders for government financing," said Simone Baumann, a Leipzig-based producer who works closely with Russian partners.
Russian producers and distributors at Cannes were more relaxed about the matter. "We have lived through so many changes in our country that we are used to it," said Raisa Fomina, head of Moscow's Intercinema Agency. "I am sure that there will be no fundamental change really and that the same people will be back and that Russian film production will continue to be supported."
When Abu Dhabi officials decided to launch their Middle East Intl. Film Festival last year, the focus was all about the finance.
Asian film financing is in a fog. For all its recent marching around, it is difficult to tell whether it is moving forwards, backwards or simply around in circles.
Although it's celebrating its 35th anniversary, the Ghent Intl. Film Festival wasn't always known as a unique and exotic showcase for film composers.
A perfectly realized, painterly portrayal of a widow's life, "A Light in the Fog" is a singularly assured feature film bow that is as understated as the best of Iranian cinema.
Queen of Brazil
Blue Gold: World Water Wars
Heart of Time
