Spain Culture News
Spanish cinema federation calls for cinemas to close for 24 hours
By h.b.
Jun 17, 2007 - 9:12 PM

The Federation of Cinemas in Spain (FECE) to which 90% of the screens belong, has called a 24 hour strike Monday to protest at the Government’s plans for a new Cinema Law.

The law obliges the cinema owners to show a percentage of both national and European films, but the cinemas claim that the public do not want to see Spanish films. They claim that showing national product is costing them money, with only five in every 100 cinema goers choosing Spanish films. They also want to see a period of at least six months between the film being shown in the cinema and its broadcast on Television or DVD.

A recent poll carried out by the Complutense University showed that 58% of Spaniards consider Spanish film to be ‘mediocre or of little interest’.

The Government claims the new law is intended to promote both Spanish and European filmmaking.

Meanwhile Spanish actors have complained that nobody has asked them for their opinion.