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The release of Patty Jenkin’s new blockbuster “Wonder Woman 1984” has been postponed three times.
She is among dozens of the best directors in Hollywood who are asking the US government for a cheap lifeline for cinemas, writes the BBC.
“If we don’t have support, it could be the end of cinemas forever,” Jenkins said in an interview with Reuters, reproduced by the BBC.
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Cinemas around the world are struggling financially with strict Covid-19 restrictions limiting customers, along with a lack of great movies to attract them.
Ordinances of the National Association of American Theater Owners have reported that 69 percent of small and medium-sized cinema companies could be forced to file for bankruptcy or close permanently, according to the BBC.
The world’s second-largest cinema company, Cineworld, confirmed on Monday that its cinemas in the US and UK will be temporarily closed as a result of the corona pandemic, The Guardian reported.
On Tuesday, 127 Cineworld cinemas in the United Kingdom and 536 cinemas in the United States closed. 40,000 employees in the US and 5,000 in the UK will be affected by the shutdown.
He does not give up
– Many share the concern
Martin Sundland is a film producer at Fantefilm production company. The company, among other things, has made major Norwegian films such as “The Wave” and “The Earthquake”. He believes that many share Jenkins’ concern.
– I am positive by nature and I know that cinema has overcome many major crises before. I hope he does now too, but I understand the concern, Sundland tells Dagbladet.
On Christmas Day, Fantefilm’s next big movie, “The Greatest Crime,” has a scheduled release date. He says production is working hard to reach the release date, but is willing to put it off if tighter crown restrictions are introduced.
– Financially, we depend on enough people having the opportunity to see the movie. The cinema has received some support, but the producers have not received anything. For this reason, we need to know if the government and the Ministry of Culture will take care of us producers. The situation is so unpredictable that we need security on our hands, he says.
– It can be dramatic
Kjersti Mo, director of the Norwegian Film Institute (NFI), says there is a trend where the film market is being pushed towards a development in which fewer and larger films account for a larger share of turnover. At the same time, he emphasizes that Norwegian cinema has noted the limited capacity of cinemas.
– It has shed light on vulnerability and how dependent Norwegian cinema is on cinema income. Now it must be said that we are in a special situation in Norway because we have had good plans to support cinemas since March. Starting Monday, it will also only be necessary with a seat in the audience. Increase capacity from 25 to 60 percent, Mo tells Dagbladet.
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She says it can be problematic if several large international production companies reduce their investment in large motion pictures.
– The proportion of Norwegian films in theaters is 20 to 25 percent. If none of the big studios makes movies and 80 percent of the cinema selection disappears, then of course it’s dramatic. But this is simply the worst possible outcome, and there are a number of prerequisites before getting there, says Mo.
Mo says that Norwegian cinema is doing well at the moment and believes that Norwegians may have opened their eyes to films produced here at home.
– Today there is not much international competition. Perhaps it has made more people notice the Norwegian film. Also, I think more people want to go to the movies and see that it is safe. It’s not just about watching a movie, but about the experience you share with others, he says.
– Russian roulette
Minimum increase
Yesterday, the Ministry of Culture presented its budget proposal for 2021. This includes the incentive scheme for the production of films and series.
The plan aims to “contribute to increasing the number of major international film and series productions in Norway to promote Norwegian culture, history and nature,” according to the Norwegian Film Institute (NFI) website.
A total of NOK 68.5 million is in the coffers of the incentive scheme for 2021. This is a marginal increase compared to last year, according to production consultancy Tina Beate Goa Fagerheim for the intensive scheme.
However, you can say that there is rarely enough money in the coffers for everyone who applies.
“Historically, there has only been a year that has not requested more money than the plan has at its disposal, and typically significantly more is requested,” Fagerheim told Dagbladet.
She emphasizes that the plan is intended to stimulate business activity in Norway and will benefit Norwegian companies and Norwegian taxpayers.
