Cinema changes, the law of cinema does not. From 2007 to now, the Lumières’ invention has undergone at least as many transformations as since its birth. The digital revolution, new formats, the theater crisis, the pandemic, the platforms, Metoo… And yet, the Spanish legislation on the matter, impassive, It hasn’t moved a frame, not a centimeter. When it seemed that the previous legislature would put an end to such legislative apathy, the advancement of the elections, the replacement ‘on the edge’ of the director of the Film Institute (ICAA) and, once again, the apathy of before worked their magic. Nothing. Well, the new minister of the branch, Ernest Urtusun, He arrives, at the very least, with enthusiasm. On Monday at the dubiously bullfighting time of 6:30 p.m. the first formal meeting with the producers began. It was a meeting with no agenda and with a single argument: the Cinema Law.
“What we all seem to agree on is that “Better a good law now than a perfect one, God knows when,” commented at the end of the meeting Jose Nevado as spokesperson for the PATE association that protects the best of independent producers with production companies such as MOD, El Desire or La Zona interior. At your side, Antonio Hergueta As a representative of the Mapa Federation (Territorial Board of Audiovisual Producers) he stated his harmony with the general environment, but with a warning: “The important and central thing remains that it cannot be changed the definition of independent producer. They already played it to us once.” And here it is convenient to invoke the antecedents.
The last time Spanish film producers decided to give a vote of confidence to the Government, they came out scalded. And even feathered. At the last minute, without warning and to the astonishment of the coalition’s minority partners, the Ministry of Culture decided change a comma (as is) that modified the definition of independence. Suddenly, private televisions (the closest thing to some majors that Spain has) became service providers for the platforms and, consequently, as independent as the company responsible for, for example, Creature, by Elena Martín. One comma and the production company of Antena 3 or Tele 5 and that of the one selected in the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight were at the same level when it came to opting for 5% of the income of the operators of’ streaming‘ who, according to European regulations, must invest in protecting cultural diversity. It happened in the already approved General Audiovisual Law.
The previous Ministry, that of Miquel Iceta, did penance and made a resolution to amend. Amen. And for that, for the absolution of sins, there was the Cinema Law that has been occupying us for too long. So, What was promised was that the definition of independent in the new law would have to be exactly the opposite – and, of course, without commas – to that which appears in the other law. Yes, the idea is to introduce cinema into modernity and, to do so, we no longer only talk about cinema, movie theaters and physical box office. Now the conversation expands to series, streaming and viewings. Yes, the regulation, which defends issues such as diversity and heritage while inventing a State Council without defining its composition or functions, is framed like the other law in the plan to promote the Spain sector, audiovisual hub of Europe (remember that this macroproject foresees a public investment of 1,603 million euros throughout the period 2021-2025). Yes, all of the above, yes, but what counts is that truly independent and, therefore, strictly cultural cinema is supported.
“It is not only about prevention or caution,” adds Hergueta, “but with the new composition of Parliament, if things are not going very well, any amendment or revision can ruin everything.” “Everything is a matter of nuances and ironing out certain technical issues, but fundamentally the minister has been attentive and receptive,” Nevado continues. “The truth,” concludes the first, “is that Urtasun is facing a unique opportunity. Without doing practically anything, because everything is already done, you can write down a bit of history. That’s why you have to be very careful. We can all agree, but each one agrees in a different way.” It is clear.