Argentina Taxes Foreign Blockbusters

by Amy Ramirez, contributing blogger

What is the easiest way to boost cultural pride in a country with a vastly underrated cinematic potential? Tax the films that are imposing a Hollywood cultural agenda! Argentina’s National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts (INCAA) has begun to tax foreign blockbusters in order to promote the advancement of national films. The tariff’s purpose is to avoid Hollywood films populating theatres and overshadowing local films, as Hollywood films often open with 80-120 copies, while a local production normally has 4-10. (Keep in mind, there are only about 900 cinemas in all of Argentina)

The tax rate is something like this: If a movie is shown in 40 theatres, the tariff is set to the equivalent of 300 tickets. If a movie is shown in 120 theatres, the tariff is set to the equivalent of 1,200 tickets. If a movie is shown in more than 120 theatres, the tariff will rise to 2,400 tickets. But this is only for inside the capital, tariffs are cut in half for showings anywhere else in Argentina.

An article on Argentina’s leading film journal, haciendocine.com.ar, voices the general consensus on people’s mixed feelings about the matter. Some think the bar is set “too low” (movies such as Toy Story would have only had to give up 0.3% of their earnings); others think that these tariffs will end up benefitting independent European films (since a foreign movie with a few copies is exempt), and a small minority think this will not change anything, much less stimulate people’s interest in national film.

Secret in Their Eyes gets British Academy of Film and Television Arts Nominatino

by Rob Sykes, contributing blogger

A full 17 months after its Argentinean release, “El Secretos de sus Ojos” continues to garner critical respect and remains in the running to scoop international awards!

Last week saw the announcement of this year’s short list for the BAFTAs in the UK, with “Secrets..” gaining a nomination within the ‘Film not in the English language’ category. The only Latin American film nominated at the awards, it is perhaps surprising that its nomination comes so late!

Latin American cinema can continue to look proudly at the inspirational success of “Secrets..”. It is of course this picture which has stood head and shoulders above other Latin American productions in terms of both critical acclaim and ticket sales in recent times. As of the end of 2010, Director Juan José Campanella’s masterpiece was the second highest grossing film in Argentinean history. But why then, has recognition been so late in coming from the cinema powers that be in the UK?! The answer is simple; the film didn’t actually gain a UK release until a full year after it had been wowing Argentinean audiences, premiering on UK shores as late as 13th August 2010. Despite its hugely delayed release, it seems the films impact cannot be held down, following on from its Goya Award (Spanish Oscar equivalent) and indeed its Oscar victory, it is once more representing Latin American cinema, making waves on the global stage.

Hollywood to Remake Argentina’s Oscar Winner “El Secreto de Sus Ojos”

One of the highest grossing Argentine films of all times and 2010′s Oscar Winner for best foreign language film will be remade by Hollywood.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Billy Ray will write and direct a new version of the Argentinian thriller “The Secret in Their Eyes” for Warner Bros., which is in negotiations to acquire the rights. Director and writer Juan Jose Campanella’s adapted the movie from the novel by Eduardo Sacheri.

“The Secret in Their Eyes”

The original film has grossed $6.3 million dollars in the US since its April release and more than $24 million dollars worldwide, and sold more than 2.4 million tickets in Argentina.  The movie had a budget of $8 million dollars.

Mark Johnson (“Donnie Brasco”) is producing the new version, which Ray will re-set in the United States in present day.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. rarely adapts foreign language films for U.S. audiences, but its version of the Hong Kong thriller “Infernal Affairs” became Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed,” which won the Best Picture Oscar in 2006.

Ray recently co-wrote the 2009 thriller “State of Play” and “Source Code,” which Summit is producing for a 2011 release. He has also written and directed “Shattered Glass” and co-written and directed “Breach.”

Ray is also penning a feature adaptation of the Fox TV series “24″ and a script about the 2009 Somali pirate incident for producer Michael De Luca at Columbia.

John Ufland brought the project to Mark Johnson and Ray and will be the executive producer.

This crime thriller will join a long list of Argentine films remade by Hollywood. Most recently, the romantic comedy “Un Novio por mi Mujer” (A Boyfriend for my Wife) was slated to become a vehicle for Steve Carrell.

Juan José Campanella is part of the Academy of Motion Pictures

Oscar winning director Juan Jose Campanella

by Tracey Chandler, contributing blogger

Juan José Campanella, the Argentine director that won an Oscar this year for Best Foreign Film with “El Secreto de sus Ojos” (The Secret of their Eyes) is now part of the Academy of Motion Pictures and can now therefore vote for other films that he believes to be worthy of an Oscar.

This is a huge step forward for the credibility and artistic integrity of cinema in Argentina and something that has filled the Argentine director with a great deal of pride.

In addition to Campanella, U2´s Bono was also invited by the Academy of Motion Pictures´ board and the right to vote will be celebrated officially by the Academy in September with a gala to be held in Beverly Hill. It promises to be a very glamorous and glorious event to say the least.

Is Guillermo Francella Stealing “Secret of their Eyes” Oscar-Win Spotlight?

With good reason fans of Argentinean cinema are celebrating: its been more than 25 years since the industry won the best foreign language Oscar, and when “The Secret of their Eyes” (El Secreto de Sus Ojos) won last Sunday so many people were happy that a much loved film had gotten the international recognition that it deserved.

But the reaction of supporting actor Guillermo Francella has been a bit, well, over the top. For those who know nothing about Argentinean b-movies and television, Francella is the most revered comic in the country, famous for crazy skits where he fumbles his way around beautiful woman. He is also beloved throughout Latin America, and even Fidel Castro is a fan. Director Campanella made him shave off his trademark mustache and put him in a serious role (although Francella added a few funny one-liners) and took advantage of his great acting ability. The result: a great performance, kind of like Jim Carry doing Shakespeare.

Francella with his famous smile and mustache.

And after the awards ceremony, Franchella has been acting like HE won the award, while the other actors like Ricardo Darin were very clear that the movie and CAMPANELLA won the award. Francella hasn’t stopped giving press conferences and he was even greated at the airport like a returning hero, while Campanela has gone back to filming episodes of House for the TV.

A typical Francella Film.

The Secret of their Eyes WINS OSCAR, Argentina Celebrates!

The Argentine film “The Secret in Their Eyes,” a thriller about a 25-year-long manhunt, won the Academy Award for best foreign language film. The Oscar win was the second for Argentina, following the win by “The Official Story” in 1985. The film’s director, Juan Jose Campanella, previously directed a movie that was also nominated for best foreign film: “Son of the Bride” in 2002. He has also worked frequently in American TV, including the shows “House” and “30 Rock.”

And he showed his sense of humor Sunday. “I want to thank the academy for not considering Na’vi a foreign language,” said Campanella, referring to the invented language of “Avatar” while he accepted the award.

The build up to the Oscars this Sunday was huge in Argentina, especially considering that the oscar ceremony is not a big event here. The film enjoyed wide box office success and is considered by many to be a display of the technical prowless of the Argentine film industry.

We hope this will increase the growing number of productions that choose Argentina as their filming location of choice.

Argentinean Movie “The Secret in Their Eyes” Nominated for Best Foreign Film Oscar

A big congrats to Juan José Campanella, director of “The Secret in Their Eyes” (El secreto de sus ojos) which has just been nominated for best foreign language picture for the Academy Awards.

The story, set in 1999, is told in flashback form: in June 1974 a federal justice agent, Benjamín Espósito, becomes spellbound by and subsequently entangled in the investigation of the crime of a young woman, brutally raped and murdered inside her house in a Buenos Aires neighbourhood. The backdrop of the story is the beginning of the violent military dictatorship that rocked Argentina from 1976 to 1983. In addition to the suspenseful plot, the movie is very beautifully shot. This 5 minute shot (with no cuts, at least ones that I can see) in which the camera flies into a soccer stadium, becomes hand-held during a chase sequence and then somehow hovers in mid-air, is incredible:

The budget was around 2 million Euros or 3.5 million dollars (could Hollywood do something like this for even five times that?) and was produced by Haddock Films, co-produced with the Spanish company Tornasol y 100 Bares Producciones, which is Campanella´s company.

Here´s to wishing the movie the best of luck!

For more information, visit the official website:  www.elsecretodesusojos.com