Czech governement freezes state funding for film

There will be no increase in state funding for film in the Czech Republic. The Czech Parliament's attempt to override President Vaclav Klaus's veto on an amendment which would have boosted funding has failed. In an initial reaction to this news, Czech film production companies at the film festival in Cannes closed their stand and lowered the national flag. "Now it looks like there could be even more trouble" writes Mirka Spacilova, and quotes Pavel Strnad of the Czech Film Chamber: "'We refuse to stand behind a country that doesn't fund cinematography.' Strnad, producer of the film 'Stesti' (Happiness), which has won many prizes in the Czech Republic, is now contemplating withdrawing the film from the competition for the European film prize in protest. Other producers are debating whether to boycott their own festival in Karlovy Vary in protest against the politicians' decision."

» full article (external link, Czech)
More from the press review on the subject » Film, » Cultural Policy, » Czech Republic