Argentina Acts to Protect Local Films

More often than not, protectionism represents desperation. The Argentine state film institute has begun imposing fines on foreign film, reports Jude Webber for the Financial Times. The extra fees, to be levied on films shown on more than 161 Argentine screens, are intended to curtail mass releases of Hollywood blockbusters, Webber reports, and collect revenues “to protect national filmmakers.” The move is part a protectionist trend from the nationalistic government, which now requires importers to match imports with exports, dollar for dollar, stemming the flow of popular cars, toys and other products from abroad. Argentina produces about 90 films annually, and the institute complains that the multinational distributors foist foreign products onto audiences by limiting what’s shown on the nation’s some 800 screens. Argentina’s cinemas now must show at least one Argentine film per quarter per screen. Such mandates can make domestic movies seem more like school assignments than enticing choices for entertainment. – YaleGlobal