The Hollywood Reporter reports on new hope for the Chilean film industry via a cash injection from the Chilean goverment, and as evidenced by Chile’s increased presence in this year’s edition of the Cannes film festival:
After years of single-digit production volume, Chile now puts out at least a dozen features a year. The state-run Arts and Audiovisual Industry Council, which oversees financing, development and production for local film projects, estimates the nation will release 14 pictures this year.The recent upswing largely is because of more available state funding. Last year, various government funds provided a total of $5.2 million in financing to the film industry, a significant amount considering budgets range between $300,000-$1 million. Of the 14 feature films released last year, five received full state financing and five others had at least partial support.
Spanish director Pedro Almódovar has often been applauded for raising the profile of women in Spanish film. Indeed, most of his films’ protagonists are strong women who know how to survive. His latest cast of actresses has been awarded a very special award at Cannes for their performance in his latest film, Volver.