Indian films can head for Rome

Italian, it appears, is the country’s flavour of choice. The Committee of Secretaries gave the go-ahead for a co-production audio-visua...

Italian, it appears, is the country’s flavour of choice. The Committee of Secretaries gave the go-ahead for a co-production audio-visual agreement, but stopped short of allowing the I&B Ministry to extend similar agreements with countries like Germany, UK, Canada, Hungary, China and Croatia.

Under the treaty, to be signed in a week, Indian films can go to Rome and Rome can come to India but it may not be an easy ride for other countries. Further co-production deals will require permission from various wings of the Government on a case to case basis, the committee noted, striking down the Ministry’s proposal to initiate similar arrangements with China, Germany, UK and Canada.

The Ministry will now be left with no option than to seek clearance on individual merit as each case will have to be examined in consultation with relevant agencies like the divisions concerned in the External Affairs Ministry.

I&B Minister Jaipal Reddy said: ‘‘The reason why Italy has been chosen is because of the several incentives that Europe has to offer.’’ He added that other treaties will soon follow after the Cabinet gives its approval.

Inter-governmental co-production agreements facilitate quasi-government or government agencies in entering into contracts to produce films together. And with several countries showing interest, the Ministry was working towards a common draft to be used in all such cases, without any modification.

While Indian filmmakers/producers are looking forward to this treaty as it will open up an unexplored bigger market — through Italy the European market — there are others who are sceptical about its consequences.

The Ministry’s experience with co-production treaties has not been smooth. A treaty with Canada is still on the anvil. The Ministry has a Protocol on Cooperation in the field of cinematography that the Government of France entered into in 1985.

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Usually, it is the tax relief provided by governments who sign that works as an incentive for filmmakers to enter into joint ventures. Filmakers say, there is no real market for Indian cinema in Italy and vice-versa. The only films that have made a splash don’t belong to mainstream cinema and actor Kabir Bedi is a reminder of the generation that belonged to the 80s Italy. 2005 is an entirely different ballgame.