Govt opens up film industry to private sector

The government has agreed to open up the Lao movie industry to private companies after acknowledging state agencies have failed to supply enough entertainment products, according to a senior official from the Ministry of Information and Culture.

Department of Cinema Director General Bounchao Phichit said on Wednesday the government had approved the establishment of this department to process documents that would allow private companies to produce films for the growing Lao entertainment market.

“The government approved the establishment of the department and appointed me as its director general in May,” he told Vientiane Times on Wednesday.

Until now the government has had no clearly defined policy for the participation of private companies in the film industry.

In the past decade, the government has funded most of the films produced in Laos , but these have not come close to meeting the needs of a film-hungry public.

The government has not been able to shoulder the high cost of film production, which is one of the main reasons Lao people watch foreign films and television programmes.

Many cultural officials have expressed concern that if people, especially youngsters, watch only foreign films they will become immersed in foreign cultures and abandon their own customs. They say the government should promote the production of locally-made films that are equal in quality to films produced in other countries.

They also say the participation of the private sector would boost the entertainment industry, especially if the government sets out laws and regulations to manage film production.

Mr Bounchao said the government and leadership body of the Ministry of Information and Culture had assigned him and his department to draft a prime ministerial decree on the establishment and management of film production houses in Laos .

“At present, we do not have any legal documents that regulate film production companies so it is difficult for private companies to enter this field,” he said.

He said a prime ministerial decree would outline the rights and role of film production companies. The decree would also set borders to make sure films did not mislead audiences.

Mr Bounchao said films should encourage Lao people to continue to practice their fine culture but abandon their superstitious beliefs. But he said the government would not prevent producers from making films about spirits if they set a good moral example.

“We can't stop companies making films that have spirits as characters because this would be unreasonable. But we would look at the role of the spirit in the film,” he said. He pointed out there were many legends about Vientiane that feature nagas (mythical river-dwelling serpents).

He said the government would prohibit the production of films that dwelt on or caused disputes between countries because the government had a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. The decree would also define the rights and roles of actors and actresses.

“People who star in these movies should get high wages, just as they do in foreign countries, to encourage them to take on film roles.”

Mr Bounchao said companies interested in film production should ask the Department of Cinema for advice and they would be encouraged to go into business.

By Ekaphone Phouthonesy
(Latest Update October 27, 2008)