Slovaks join forces with Poles and Czechs to present cinema stage at Cannes

This years Cannes film festival will be remembered for the first ever major presentation of cinema works from the new EU members. The region has many famous film names. Milos Forman made the Czechs famous; Andrzej Wajda promoted the Poles. Slovak cinematography lacks such big names and this may be why Slovak filmmakers joined their Czech and Polish colleagues for a joint presentation in Cannes. And it paid off. The joint Czech, Polish and Slovak cinema stage was considered the best. To find out why, we asked Patrik Pass, a Slovak Cannes delegate:

"Because the guests who came to see the Polish or Czech presentations stopped by at our exposition too and vice versa. The profit was thus tripled."

Some visitors came to ask for advice what to do when they want to shoot films on the Slovak territory. Slovak legislature is, however, not developed to such and extent to be attractive for foreign investors in this field. Patrik Pass adds it is unlike the legislature in Slovenia or Hungary.

"These countries realise that audio-visual culture is a very strong and effective industry, which can bring a lot of money. For example, Slovenia has invested 8 billion SKK into the renovation of the hardware of its cinema industry. That has brought them a large number of international film projects. We can say that the world brings money and employment to that country."

The situation in Hungary is a little bit different with two different types of support for national cinematography.

"The Hungarian government invested more than 1 billion SKK on grants and funds in support of national cinematography. That is 10 times more than the support of the Slovak government into its national film production. The Hungarians also provide tax relief to all subjects active in the film industry. It means that when there is a foreign company coming to shoot a film in Hungary, it will be given back about 20% of the expenses spent on the Hungarian territory."

These facts attract foreign filmmakers because it decreases the production costs. That is why Hungarian cinematography is so vivid and successful. There are no similar advantages for foreigners who are interested in shooting films in Slovakia. That is also why there will be only one film produced in this country this year. Do the Slovak filmmakers also plan to present their work in Cannes next year? Will any Slovak film ever be screened at this top world film event? Patrik Pass hesitates:

"The screening of Slovak films depends on the situation in the whole cinematography industry in this country, which is not very positive at the moment. It is difficult to say how many films will be produced next year. What I can say for sure is that without more intensive state cultural subsidies there will hardly be any local producers entering such demanding projects."

The state-run Slovak TV has obliged itself to enter national film projects as a co-producer. So far, none of the new projects were supported by this institution. Instead of supporting national original production, the management of the TV station buys licensed international blockbusters such as Slovak pop idol. That is also why Slovak filmmakers remain pessimistic about the next year's national presentation at the Cannes international film festival.