Film and TV: Argentine Industry for Export

 

January 27, 2012

 

When talking about the Beatles as an artistic and commercial phenomenon that changed popular music of half the planet, it is often cited as a decisive factor the legislation that was enacted at that time in England, forcing radio stations to broadcast 50% local music. Soon the world was marking the rhythm to the British beat and pop. But nobody thought that that law had been a “squeeze” to the music companies and radio stations.

Similarly, after the Second World War, countries like Italy and France legislated that most of the proceeds from their local cinemas, with Hollywood movies, was to remain in the country where they were sold tickets. No employer went out to say that there was “pressure”, but on the contrary, because this measure had the Hollywood studios invest their profits in the host country and as a result appeared huge and very famous laboratories such as Technicolor Italy, major studios theater and film productions that are now classic films beautiful, indisputable and universal cultural heritage.

However, when the Secretary of Internal Trade of Argentina refers to producers and distributors to point out the need to at least offset the balance of imports and exports of Film and TV, some tearing their hair out and say they were “tight” instead of thinking that the Argentine State subsidizes productions with which entrepreneurs can open a new and prosperous international business online.

In any branch of production, a state may subsidize part or all of an activity, their inputs, labor, costs, or provide tax benefits to increase competitiveness in the international market. Much of the film and TV produced in Argentina receive state subsidies, but not to reduce prices but to encourage production and there it not only meets the needs of the domestic market but also be exported.

It is said that God squeezes but not break you. And thank God every day. The audiovisual industry should do the same with Guillermo Moreno and all officials who insist that audiovisual entrepreneurs accept this opportunity is offered as a gift.

Por Pablo Perel