C IN E MAti • TRADE MEWS • Quebec 1500/0 shelter wide open for under 75 min. programs MONTREAL - In a major bid to in obtaining final agreement, persons who are not Quebec publication in the "Gazette won't have much impact for attract private investment for in a consultative process be­ residents, the full two points officielle du Quebec." '83, it should produce a definite French-language, made-in­ gun in August, was defining will be attributed if one of the While the adopted definition improvement in film produc­ Quebec films and television who can be considered a Que­ screenwriters is at the same is broader than the Institut's tion for '84. programs, the Quebec cabinet bec producer. time a Quebec resident, and definition of a Quebec film (for "The decree establishes a has approved the definition of The government, for instan­ the screenwriter of an original purposes of state aid to film complementary mechanism to eligibility for a 150% capital ce, wanted to limit the defini­ work, and the person who de­ production), IQC executive­ the Institut's own programs in cost allowance. tion of a Quebec producer to cides the script's final version, director Louise Ranger wel­ support of Quebecois films The ministerial decree, en­ someone who had resided in and the highest paid screen­ comed the decree. which give greater weight to titled "Concerning the recogni­ Quebec at least 200 days prior writer. "It can only help Quebec film cultural development. We tion of a Quebecois film," ap­ to the beginning of principal The decree establishes obli­ production," Ranger told Cine­ have to diversify available sour­ proved Dec. 6, follows recent photography, while industry gatory minima of 75% in total ma Canada. "In the past, franco­ ces of finanCing and, to the new federal regulations con­ associations, including the Ins­ fees to be paid for services ren­ phone films have not had much extent the decree does that, it cerning pre-sales which should titut quebecois du cinema, dered in Quebec iI ab, film edit­ private investment so every­ should be positive." make the Quebec tax shelter wanted the definition limited ing, sound editing and record­ body stands to benefit. This is According to cultural affairs additionally attractive. to someone who had payed ing, titling or music); a 75% an important incitement for Although no pI'e-sales had Quebec income tax in - the total in production salaries to private investors, and while it (cont. on page 31) been permitted previously, previous year. be spent in Quebec, exclusive when the federal government The decree offers three defi­ of the functions of producer, was promoting productions nitions of a Quebec producer: and those positions covered by through its 100% capital cost 1) either a physical person pos­ the point system, as well as Combines' deal 6 months old­ allowance, the department of sessing a Quebec birth certifi­ those positions related to the Finance recently accepted the cate; 2) a Canadian citizen who financing of the film. A film notion that an investor's money has resided in Quebec two under 75 minutes is nonethe­ blind bidding biggest problem is still" at risk" if pre-sales fall years prior to the beginning of less recognized as a Quebe­ within normal industry prac­ principal photography, or 3) a cois film, even if it does not MONTREAL - In the past few ments submitted to Hunter. It tices and are at arm's length. person who was visited ("se­ meet the above conditions, as months, Lawson Hunter has is now up to him to write the Quebec is banking that its new joumer") in Quebec for 200 days long as 75% of the film's produc­ spoken wi~h an almost endless report which will determine 150% capital cost allowance, in the year prior to the begin­ tion costs are paid to Que­ stream of distributors and whether the Majors have fallen and the liberal definition on a ningofprincipal photography. A bec residents. Official copro­ exhibitors has he prepares his short of their undertakings, in Quebecois film, will generate Quebec film must be produced ductions are recognized as first six-month report for the which case the hearing would sufficient interest to revive the by a Quebec producer. Quebec films if the Canadian Restrictive Trade Practices resume and witnesses called, moribund production industry Furthermore, the decree portion of the film is produced Commission (RTPC), due in or whether the system is opera­ here. established a system of ten by a Quebec producer and a early January. ting as it should. Cinema Cana­ One reason for the long delay points, of which eligible films minimum of75% of production Hunter, director of the Com­ da spoke to a wide range of must qualify for six. Only per­ costs of the Quebec portion bines Investigation Branch, exhibitors about the process of sons residing in Quebec are eli­ of the film is paid to Quebec responded to a complaint bidding in Canada. Discussions drag gible for the points which are residents. Documentaries are by the exhibitor Cineplex established as follows: di­ exempt from the point system's last March, which charged Rules unclear rector-2, screenwriter-2, high­ minimal requirement of six that the American major dis­ There is a general consensus for FIR Aand Orion est paid actor-I, second high­ points if the positions enu­ tributors in Canada were that the rules of bidding are still unclear. Says Frank Kettner OTT AW A - Orion Pictures Dis­ est paid actor-I, set designer-I, merated are filled by Quebec illegally withholding product director of photography-I, residents. from independent exhibitors, of Landmark Cinemas in Alber­ tribution Corp. of New York ta (70 screens), "There needs to seems to be in no hurry to sort composer-I and editor-I. In Requests for Quebec certifi­ and were in fact favoring the order to qualify, a film must get cation must be made through two big chains, Famous Players be some drastic changes made. out the legal situation with the Even when you bid strongly for Foreign Investment Review at least two of the four points the Institut quebecois du ci­ and Canadian-Odeon, with attributable to the director and nema within 60 days of the their first-run films. By early a film, the distributor can find Agency (FIRA) which, on Sept. excuses not to give it to you. 30, denied its application to do screenwriter, and at least one completion of production and, summer, Hunter asked for a from the actors' categories. for films completed in 1983, postponement of the scheduled Perhaps you haven't paid your business in Canada. bills within 30 days, or another In the case of screenwriters, within 90 days of the decree's RTPC hearing, noting that the According to legal counsel theatre has a few more seats, if the position is filled by several going into effect Dec. 16 with respondents (the Majors) had Barry Burton, who works in Los or its house expenses are dif­ Angeles and is not involved in agreed to certain undertakings which were acceptable to Cine­ ferent... there's always an out. the proceedings, but who is the And then, if they don't like a only spokesman for the com­ Law's enactement for next year plex. These undertakings, which amounted to the intro­ bid, they can always go to pany, discussions have taken negotiation, so it's not really a cinema law. The nomination duction of the bidding system place with FIRA and further QUEBEC CITY - It will be at bidding situation at all." process, upon the minister's in Canada, came into effect on discussions are scheduled with least one year before Quebec's Echoes Norman Stern from recommendation, Steenhaut July 1. The commission agreed the agency to find out what controversial cinema law 109, the Ontario Theatre Group (22 told Cinema Canada, should to postpone the hearing, pro­ changes might be required for adopted late in June '83, comes screens), "It's a system for the begin "soon" "We have to viding that Hunter monitor Orion to get the green light. into application. big boys. There are so many appoint 'the bosses', first, the the situation and report back in Meanwhile, the company, At the time of the law's adop­ 100Jrholes and ways of locking application of the articles of January. which has been in operation tion, Quebec cultural affairs you out that favoritism still the law itself will follow from Although the director's for a year, is continuing to dis­ minister Clement Richard had holds." Yet, comments Stern, that." report is not expected to be tribute films from its Toronto vowed to make swift applica­ his company has proved it can So the law's more controver­ made public, its tenor will offices. tion ofthe law a top priority for perform: The Crest Cinema, sial articles - such as French determine whether or not the Orion does plan to resubmit the next parliamentary session, rented by David Cronen berg to versioning, the billeterie, the situation should be aired in a its application, and FIRA staff which began in August, but four-wall Dead Zone, played production fund - "the French public commission hearing, or has told Cinema Canada that, according to cultural affairs the film for eight weeks with aspects," according to Steen­ whether such a hearing will in principle, reapplication si­ policy advisor Andre Steen­ good returns. "We could have haut, "will be difficult to apply again be postponed. The ori­ tuations are dealt with quickly, haut "it will take a good while, never got that film through the ginal accomodations made by so not as to permit a disallowed at least a year, before the law before the people who will bidding system. Cronenberg the Majors were an effort to company to continue operating comes into application." administer the law are them­ had to rent the theatre himself avoid just such a hearing, and freely in Canada for a long The minister's first concern, selves in place." and bring it in." period. Although Burton could Steenhaut told Cinema Canada, The senior administrative representatives from the Majors have been talking to Hunter, suggest no time-table for the is with the nomination of the nominations will be followed Blind bidding documenting their efforts Orion reapplication, he said senior bureaucrats whom the by a second round of ministe­ The gravest charge brought since the undertakings were that senior executives from government will appoint to rial recommendations ap­ against the system, and men­ signed. New York would be involved in head the Regie du cinema et de pointing new management to tioned by virtually everyone the FlRA talks, and suggested Likewise, exhibitors have la video as well as the Societe the Institut quebecois du cine­ Cinema Canada spoke to, is the that the necessary formalities generale du cinema et de la been making their opinions ma, based on consultations practice of blind-bidding. Leo- would not be done by year's video, the main administrative with Quebec's professional known, both through conver­ (cont. on page 31) end. entities established by the filmmaking associations. sations and in written docu-

January 1984 - Cinema CanadaJ29 • CIME MAti • The Vancouver CRTC hearings: pay· TV's battle to the death VANCOUVER - With a fresh when the owners of the British subscribers. The Commission in the precedings, as pay tele­ CRTC's original pay decision. supply of Bronfman dollars in Columbia license for a regional was still pondering an applica­ vision, instead of the gold mine Although many felt that partof its treasury, First Choice Cana­ pay network, AIM, announced tion by Star Channel to enter long predicted, seemed to have the problem of marketing pay dian Communications storm­ they could not get the senrice the English-language Quebec turned into a ton of lead des­ was the perceived similarity ed in to knock Superchannels on the air. AIM approached market when it became clear tined to sink all who came in between regional and national Ontario and Alberta out of the Edmonton millionaire Dr. that MacDonald's network contact with it. services, most agreed that the pay television mainstream in Charles Allard - owner of could not afford to pay its Tele­ The CRTC had split its deli­ notion of competition was an east-west clash rivalling the Superchannel Alberta and half­ sat bills. berations into four specific healthy for pay : The consumer Grey, Cup, and held here just owner of Superchannel Ontario When the CRTC permitted chapters in order to separate deserved to have a choice, and two days before the football - with an offer to sell him con­ Allard to enter the other prairie the concerns to be covered. if that choice could only be main­ classic. trolling interest in the enter­ provinces, First Choice ap­ The first was a presentation tained through strong regionals Contending that the Cana­ prise. Allard agreed, and the pealed to the Federal cabinet, by the local Vancouver group, linked against the national ser­ dian Radio-television and Tele­ CRTC was contacted to approve claiming that the Commission Media Watch, which graphiC­ vice, then let it be so. The communications Commission the deal which would see the was not creating a series of ally portrayed the worst of pay government of Ontario, and the (CRTC) had never intended to Superchannel signal tempo­ independent regional pay ser­ television. Scenes of degrada­ Competitions Branch of Con­ license two similar -pay net­ rarily picked up both in B.C. vices to complement the na­ tion and violence to women sumer and Corporate Affairs works on a national basis, First and the Yukon from the Anik tional licensee, but rather a filled a 15-minute tape culled Canada were the strongest Choice Counsel Peter Grant set transponder distributing the full-scale competitor with from First Choice, the only pay advocates of this stance, while out to re-interpret "regional" signal into Alberta. Allard pled­ common ownership to fight service available in B.C. Saman­ the Canadian Cable Television for both the CRTC commis­ ged to spend money in the the national service head-on. tha Sanderson, of Media Watch, Association (CCTA) and Rogers sioners and Superchannel's region and air a minimum level The Cabinet did not overrule noted that she found it distres­ Cable felt that differentiation management. At his first hear­ of B.C. product weekly on a the Commission, but did ask it sing that the Commission and might help in the overall mar­ ing as CRTC chairman, Andre separate satellite feed within a to reconsider the decision, and the industry, almost a year after keting of pay. But neither were Bureau must have felt a bit year. seek clarification as to what the infamous Playboy deal, had as adamant as First Choice that awkward, having to help sort Earlier in the summer, Super­ was meant by "regional pay yet to have an acceptable set of Superchannel alter its services out the mess left him by pre­ channel won the right to sell its networks" in the original deci­ guidelines. The issue of finan­ to become a small scale, locally decessor John Miesel. Alberta service in the Manitoba, sion. cial survival appeared to be programmed, almost mini-pay Saskatchewan and N.W.T.'s As the industry awaited the more important than the treat­ network to complement the weekend upset market. At an earlier call for Vancouver hearing, First Choi­ ment of women, a stark com­ national one. But events in the pay-televi­ regional licenses to serve this ce itself contacted the CRTC in ment on our value system, she Superchannel argued that sion world move fast. While part of the country, no local late October with a desparate concluded. its mandate was to provide pay much of the industry was en enterpreneurs came forward, appeal for approval of a refi­ The second issue involved services through regionally route to Vancouver, Finlay and Allard saw this as an op­ nancing deal it had struck with reconsidering the temporary based companies, and that the MacDonald, operator of Star portunity to complete his "asso­ Bronfman subsidiary Hees In­ distribution of Superchannel Commission had never direct­ Channel in the Atlantic provin­ ciation of regionals" into a na­ ternational, the holding com­ Alberta in B.C. and the Yukon, ed it to be programmed in a ces, announced that he was tional grid to better compete pany which included Astral­ followed by the take-over ap­ narrow, or secondary, fashion shutting down his license to with First Choice. Integral parts Bellevue-Pathe. Within three plication for AIM, and finally to First Choice. In fact, it was lose money. By Monday (Nov. of this grid were Star Channel weeks the CRTC had approved the interim distribution of demonstrated that the national 28), the day before the hearing in the Atlantic provinces, and that deal which turned First Superchannel Ontario in Atlan­ service had imitated the re­ opened, both Superchannel AIM in B.C. But both now re­ Choice over the new owner­ tic Canada. This last was now, gional to such a point, it was and the Toronto Dominion quired some form of bail-out. ship. ironically, opposed by Star charged, that First Choice itself Bank had independently ap­ By September, the CRTC was Channel's principals in the in­ was blurring the lines and cau­ Substantial interest pointed receivers to protect faced with an application - at teresting twist of subterfuge sing consumer confusion, not their respective losses: $1.3 that time supported by Star The crowd which gathered which took place over the SuperchanneI. million in the case of the pay Channel - to permit Super­ at the Sheraton Plaza 500 hotel weekend prior to the hearing. Allard noted that the two service; an undisclosed channel Ontario's signal to be ballroom on Nov. 29 was a veri­ Fourteen groups and .indivi­ Superchannel companies amount for the bank. substituted in the Atlantic pro­ table who's who in the cable/ duals appeared to speak to the were operated separately, Events leading up to the vinces until such time as the pay television industries. All original decision. Most were though they did use a com­ hearing began in late summer regional licensee reached 50,000 had substantial interest vested divided over the intent of the mon Edmonton uplink to save on origination costs. Although Superchannel did purchase full Canadian pay rights, this was done to accomplish an equal footing for certain pro­ jects with First Choice, and to permit Star Channel and AIM an easier access to product. Doug Holtby, president of Al­ berta Superchannel, noted that the Ontario and Alberta com­ panies disagreed not a few times on acquisitions, and that independent producers turn­ ed down by one could always go to the other company. It was First Choice's conten­ tion that the regionals should become add-on pay services which could be bought in com­ bination with First Choice, for about half the price again of the national. Allard rejected this secondary position, argu­ ing that competition was healthy if it took place on an equal footing. He hinted that the recent refinanCing of their competitor had given First Choice an advantage, and it was now necessary to redress this by not only upholding the original decision as imple­ mented, but by permitting the expansion as requested in other parts of the hearing. Since

(cont. on page 39)

30/Cinema Canada - January 1984 •______C~I N E M A ~ • Smaller exhibitors hurt most French pay stations" consolidate" with $3 M (cont. from page 29) nard Bernstein of Premier studying film distribution in MONTREAL - Responding to million per year in purchases and distribution companies in Operating (65 screens) explains Quebec, is pleased with the pressure which began build­ should create 270 jobs and Quebec," Furthermore, he an­ the situation. "The distributor results so far. "In Montreal, the ing the day the original pay-TV bring an additional $11 million nounced that the new company sends you a letter and gives you independent theatre owners licenses were announced, the to the province), and believes would be instrumental in a week to make a bid on a film are in competition with the Quebec government has engi­ that Premier Choix : TVEC can opening markets across Canada that hasn't even gone before chains. There is more competi­ neered the marriage of the now become profitable by and in the U.S, for Quebec­ the cameras. What do you tion here than in the other regional TVEC French pay December, 1984, based companies. know? Some names, a title, keys, and bidding has opened company with Premier Choix, Henri Audet, the majority "This- regroupment is dif­ that's all. The film may be ready the door to getting Major prod­ the French branch of the na­ share-holder in TVEC, explain­ ferent from the licensed situa­ in nine months. He's asking uct which had always been tional First Choice. The min­ ed that together the pay stations tion which was born to faiL We you to commit big money up­ denied us before." France Film ister of Cultural Affairs, Cle­ now command 65,000 subscrib­ need now to create a new per­ front and you . have no idea has recently played the French ment Richard, made the an­ ers (20,000 TVEC: 45,000 Pre­ ception: that the day when what you're bidding on. And versions of Superman III and nouncement at a press con­ mier Choix) and that break­ talk about pay-TV was talk you have to bid. You have to Staying Alive and is preparing ference in Montreal Dec, 15. even point is 114,000. By 1985, about people going out of bus i­ commit that money. It's not to open Jaws in 3-D. While A new company, called Pre­ the new company expects ness is over, Pay-TV is alive, logical, it's not sensible. It's a admitting that some exhibitors mier Choix: TVEC has been 125,000 subscribers, while the and today's decision is the cor­ Canadian national policy which have made outrageous bids, created and will received $3 government estimates that nerstone to create a healthy produces money for people in and that everyone has to learn million from the provincial ultimate penetration can reach and vigorous situation," Green­ the States." to bid properly, Rene feels that government via the Societe de 295,000 subscribers, berg said, Ironically, blind-bidding has within a year the system will developpement des industries But the day obviously be­ The total equity position of been declared illegal in over 20 have worked itself out. de la culture et des communi­ longed to Harold Greenberg, the new company is $12 mil­ states in the U.S., following The larger chains, Canadian­ cations (SODICC). who as chairman of the execu­ lion, according to Greenberg. lawsuits brought by exhibitors Odeon (296 screens) and In this announcement, Ri­ tive committee of First Choice, That sum represents the pre­ against the Majors. Such re­ Famous (457 screens), are more chard underlined that only one which will have an ownership sent assets of the two com­ course, however, is not possible circumspect with their com­ French-language pay company interest in the new company, panies (2/3 from Premier Choix in Canada. The bidding situa­ ments. Says vice-]'Jresident Ron could create a positive atmos­ was the catalyst for the conso­ vs, 1/3 from TVEC) and new tion was introduced by the Emilio of Odeon, "We're bid­ phere for the production in­ lidation. Pledging to pump 45% funding which is made up of $3 Combines Investigation Branch ding the best we know how. dustry in Quebec, as the market of the revenues of the new million from SODICC, bank and there is no legal recourse Our interest is to find the best is simply too small to contain company into production in financing and unspecified to appeal that action. ,pictures to play and not to competing services, By "con­ Quebec, Greenberg said the "additional sums." SODICC has Cinema Canada asked Ge­ worry about what the others soJidating" the two companies, decision heralded "a new era issued its $3 million in the form rard Payette, secretary of the ' are playing." He says, however,' he expects important benefits ' for Francophone viewers," add­ of convertible debentures RTPC whether it could declare that he has never felt such a to the province in general (a ing that "no effort will be spa­ which can be converted into 3 the practice illegal if Hunter desperate, back-biting atmos­ pay station which spends $10 rep to foster the production (cont. on page 46) were to so recommend in his phere as the one created since report, and Payette responded the introduction of bidding, that the RTPC would not have and that horror stories are the authority to do so without plentiful among the smaller Palmares canadien 1984 hearing witnesses at a full, operators. public hearing of the commis­ At Cinema Vnis - the Famous du court met rage incJependant sion. The Majors could under­ Players branch in Quebec - take, however, to stop such Don Drisdell reports that he un programme du Conseil des Arts du Canada practices unilaterally after bids high on films he really administre par I'Academie du cinema canadien discussions with Hunter. wants, but doesn't bid at all on weak product, taking the mid­ The r.ch get richer dle range films as they come. Le concours annuel de courts metrages independants est Another criticism often made "Things have fallen into place maintenant ouvert, of the system is the obvious one for us," Beca use of the strength Les films primes, choisis par un jury, seront projetes dans les that the richer the circuit, the of the independent Quebecois more able it is to bid large sums distributor, the theatres in salles de cinema canadiennes en compagnie de longs of money and to take risks. Quebec which screen French metrages. "We're not getting good pictu­ language films are less influen­ Un prix de $3 000 sera attribue au realisateur de chaque res because we can't afford to ced by the bidding situation, film prime. bid," says Stern. "If we make a Meanwhile at Cineplex (200 mistake, we can just close our screens), Garth Drabinsky Pour etre pris en consideration, les films: doors." ("who comes out of this smell­ • doivent etre produits et realises par des cineastes Obviously, the system is also ing like a rose," according to canadiens independents driving up the cost of a film to one Major distributor) declines • doivent durer au plus dix minutes comment. "Things have come ' the exhibitor. Reports are per­ • doivent etre produits en 16mm ou 35mm sistent that even in non-com­ up which have no yet been re­ • doivent etre en anglais ou franc;:ais petitive situations, where a solved, and Mr, Drabinsky given theatre has no local com­ doesn't want to talk to the • doivent etre accompagnes d'une autorisation en matiere petition, the distributors press," comments vice-presi­ de droit d'auteur are asking theatre owners to dent · Lynda Friendly. He is, • ne doivent pas avoir ete deja lances commercialement en meet the prices established by however, talking to Lawson 35mm et ne doivent pas avoir ete presentes par un reseau de bidding in the bigger cities. Hunter and, for the moment, television ou par un poste de television payante en "Theatres are going to close," those are the conversations Amerique du Nord comments one exhibitor. "A lot which matter, • doivent avoir ete produits au cours des trois dernieres of small houses are up for sale," annees says another. Yet the bidding system has Quebec shelter Au besoin, les films retenus seront gonfles en 35mm, des its defenders, and many feel (cont. from page 29) copies seront tirees et, s'il ya lieu, les films seront sous-titres. that it is simply too soon to poli~y advisor Andre Steen­ evaluate the situation. Says haut, "this is strictIy a financial LA DATE-LIMITE DE RECEPTION EST flXEE AU 15 JANVIER. Jean Cyr of les Cinemas Ode on mechanism which has nothing in Montreal, "We've only really to do with the cultural aspects." Pour plus de renseignements, priere de contacter. been bidding for three mon ths. But, says Association des pro­ The summer films were already ducteurs de films du Quebec Andra Sheffer commited when the system (APFQ) executive-director Gas­ Academie du cinema canadien came into play. As long as ton Cousineau, "A number of 653, rue Yonge, 2e etage producers were eagerly wait­ there's enough product to go Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1Z9 around, things will be O.K." ing the decree to finalize their (416) 967-0315 Pierre Rene of France Film financial structures. So one can (29 screens), who had suggest­ expect a number of productions III ou (514) 937-3619 - Katherine Morrow ed a similar system to the Four­ to now be able to get under­ nier Commission when it was way."

January 1984 - Cinema Canada/31 • CIME MAti • Despite growth in cultural industries, situation deteriorating OTTAWA - Despite a 50% in­ domestic c ultural product place as " the basic research are essentially non-commer­ not the time has perhaps come crease in the numbers of people faces vigourous competition. component of the R&D in the cial... and which can probably to consider the commercial working in Canada's cultural The positive side of the re­ arts community. In this sense, never be financially self-sup­ cultural industries "with the industries between 1971-1981, port is "that Canada has no they create the new ideas, pre­ porting" (ballet, poetry, thea­ same seriousness- in an indus­ and despite Canadian culture's choice but to vigourously em­ serve the essential traditions tre, som e films ), and "those trial sense - as steel, automo­ having contributed more to the brace the development and and create the most central that are essentially commercial biles or telecommunications." growth of the gross domestic dissemination of these (new) images of a society. Without an and constitute business ven­ The brief, while not making product than the textiles, air­ technologies," despite the still innovative artistic tradition, a tures like any others" (popular specific recommendations, craft and chemicals industries unresolved debates raging vibrant commercial cultural music, private television and concludes that its "major theme combined during the same around the employment and sector is impossible," the report radio, newspapers, most perio­ ... is that the most important period, Canada's cultural ba­ unemployment dimension of state. dicals). condition of success in develop­ lance of payments deficit with the impact of information tech­ According to the report, Without down-playing the ing and using information the United States is deteriora­ nology. Canada's cultural industries importance of the non-com­ technology will be .. . Canadian ting, nor is the situation likely Significantly, the report should be divided into two mercial cultural industries, culture and the extent to which to improve in the near future. grants culture a priviledged broad categories: "those that the report wonders whether or it encourages innovation." That is the down-side of a document e ntitled "Culture and Communications: Keyele­ ments of Canada's economic future" which Communications minister Francis Fox submitted Nov. 3 to The Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects fOI' Carada. With Canada importing seven times as many books as it exports, four times as many TV programs and four times as many periodicals and news­ papers, all mainly from the U.S., Canadian culture's balance of trade deficit " may in fact get worse as a result of... develop­ ments ... in the area of informa­ tion technology," the 41-page report. produced by the Strat­ egy and Plans section of the department of Communica­ tions, observes. With increasing numbers of American cultural product producers pursuing export sales, with incI'easing numbers of distribution media available for cultural products (pay-TV, conventionaIT~~deocaye~ tes), with the increased deploy­ ment of more channels than there is content, and with in­ creased digitalization of cul­ tural products, Canadian La Balance for Xmas TORONTO - Spectrafilm wil l release the Fre nch police thrill­ er La Balance, directed by Bob Swaim and s tarring Nathalie .~~""' ,. "' " Baye and Philippe Leotard, in r~' -4i...... '~ "" Toronto Dec. 21 for an exclusive engagement at the Fine Arts Focus on this scenic Canadian Cinema. La Balance grossed 5-18,732 its first week at the Paris Cine­ ma in Ne\V Yo rk, the highest province of sunny skies, low costs, single screen gross that week for any film except Barbara Streisand's Ye ntl, and in its and tax-saving advantages. first 16 days took in 594,970. Earlier this \'ear, U.S.-born For your next important shoot, how about Alberta? The We'll help you find the perfect location in the incredibly Swaim became the first Ame­ scenery is fabulous, the climate superb and the price is rican to win the French Aca­ varied and scenic terrain of Alberta . It's all yours for the right! Things like accommodation, food, gas, retail and demy's Cesar award for best asking with a call to the Alberta Film Industry director and actors Baye and travel expenses are all free of provincial tax - and Alberta Development Office at (403) 427-2005. Leotard both won Cesars for is the only province in Canada that doesn't collect sales Bill Marsden, Director their performances. tax. Film Industry Development La Balance replaces another Another big plus? Clear Alberta skies and extra hours of Alberta Economic Development French film, Franc;ois Truffaut's daily sunlight can shorten your shooting schedule 9th Floor, Pacific Plaza Confidentially Yours (Vive­ considerably. ment Dimanche), on Spectra­ 10909 Jasper Avenue AI~" film's Christmas release sche­ The Alberta Advantage shows up big on the bottom line Alberta dule. Confidentially Yours is for production costs. ~~~~n , /~ LA:II ta now expected for January. CANADA •••

32/Cinema Canada - January 1984 • CINE MAt; • Despite bidding, Quebec's distributors hold theirown in market

MONTREAL - Relatively speak­ an American distributor, Que­ free for pick-up by Quebec Loewy said no. "It's a good that their past performance, ing, the independent distribut­ bec profits will be cross-col­ independents. piece of legislation, and the launching films outside of the or of French-language films is lateralized with American Asked whether h e thought 'biIle terie nationale' will be mainstream, North American doing alright. according to Vic­ losses, netting them nothing." that the present conciliatory very important when it comes distribution patterns, is respon­ tor Loewy at Vivafilm. "Quebec Loe"vy, who distributes mood between the indepen­ into effect next year. But for the sible for their relative health is a different market altogether, Triumph product in Quebec, d ents and the chains, on the rest, it's disappointing, and no today. Nevertheless, the num­ and people understand that. says that the other classics divi­ one h and, and the backing-off one is talking about it anymore. bers of independent are While there is simply no market sions IOrion, U.A. Classics and of the classics divisions, on the Nothing else is going to chan­ dwindling in Quebec as else­ in English Canada for the art Universal Classics) are not buy­ other, had any relation to the ge." where, and a long-range prog­ film, we can still bring in fo­ ing for Quebec, leaving films new Quebec film legislation, The Quebec distributors feel nosis is still uncertain. reign films and make them work." Loewy, who handles difficult films like Parsifal and Camina, Camina as well as racier prod­ National Office uct like Joy, reports that, for the moment, relations between national du film the distributors and the exhib­ Film Board itors in Quebec are on an even keel. "Whereas we used to of Canada duCanada have to go to Toronto to book theatres last year, everything is done in Quebec now, and there's no trouble getting the theatres you want when you want them." There had been consider­ --NIWSf------able worry that the bidding system would lead to a lack of outlets for independent prod­ uct, but Loewy says not so. "The chains are withholding certain theatres from bidding ; but there's always room at the Parisien for independents," he says, referring to a fiveplex, held by Cinemas Unis with FESTIVALS whom he does all his booking. Although Don Drisdell at Two NFB films have taken top Cinemas Unis claims that all awards at the Chicago Internation­ his theatres are available in the al Film Festival, November 5 to 18. bidding system, he echoes Paul Cowan's The Kid Who Couldn't Loewy's feelings about the Miss, a feature documentary on relationships between the World War I hero Billy Bishop, won chains and the independents. "We've always courted the the Silver Hugo for best documen­ independent distributor in tary. Magic in the Sky, directed by Quebec because we need his Peter Raymont, won a Gold Plaque films to fill our theatres. The for best social/political documen­ French versions of American tary. Magic in the Sky investigates films never do as well in Que­ the impact of U.S. and Canadian bec and so we've an effort to television on the Inuit people of work things out with the inde­ the Canadian Arctic. Both films pendents." were presented in special public In general, Loewy sees a screenings at the Chicago Art Insti­ waning of interest in the French versions of American films. He tute. points to the low ratings of Cinderella has earned another slip­ Channel 10 in Montreal which per. The Tender Tale of Cinderella programs endless American Penguin, nominated for an Oscar in product, and the lukewarm Fran~ois Macerola has been named Acting Government Film Commissioner. His appointment ' 1982, has won the Ruby Slipper for becomes effective January 8, 1984. He replaces James de B. Domville, whose term ends January 7 business American films do in 1984. . best short animation film at the general. While the super films - Return of the Jedi et al. - can 12th International Children's Film jury prize was presented to Martin THE RESULTS ARE still find a market in French, Festival held in Los Angeles this Duckworth in Montreal by the I N ON WAR SERI ES October. This wingy interpretation Consul General of Japan December the middle pictures like 48 Canadians seemed prepared to of the classic children's tale was 14th. Hours and The Year of Living watch serious television program­ Dangerously do not perform, directed by Janet Perlman. Gulfstream, directed by Bruce ming this fall. The N FB's seven-part he says. No More Hibakusha, Martin Duck­ Mackay, has won the Grand Prize at Abroad, others have also series War, telecast each week worth's film about survivors of the Rio de Jani ero Science Film from October 2 to November 13 recognized that Quebec is spe­ I cial. "Foreign producers know Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has won Festival. This half-hour film docu­ reached an average 1,022,000 that we can make a profit for two prizes. The Silver Dove award menting a voyage up the Gu lfstream viewers and recorded an average them, but that if they go with from the 26th Leipzig (East Ger­ from the Equator to Nova Scotia rating of 7.1. Overall the series cap­ many) Film Festival for best docu­ will have its television premiere on tured 12% of the television audien­ TORONTO - The Wars, directed: mentary over 35 minutes; and a TVO December 23 at 8:00 p.m. It ce (or an estimated 14% of the by Robin Phillips and released : special jury prize from the 27th will be shown with the N FB film audience watching English-langua­ in November by Spectrafilm, Competition for Film on Japan. The Family Down the Fraser. ge television). has grossed $72,000 in its first four weeks. The Wars has earned $45,000 N FB Offices in Canada: Headquarters - Montreal (514) 333-3452 National Capital -Ottawa (613) 996-4259 Pacific region - Vancouver (604) 666-1716 in Toronto, where it opened Quebec region - Montreal (514) 283-4823 Prairie region' Winnipeg (204) 949-4129 Atlantic region· Halifax (902) 426-6000 Nov. 11, and has also played in Ontario region - Toronto (4 16) 369-4094 plus offices in most major cities Ottawa, London, Winnipeg, and Vancouver.

January 1984 - Cinema Canada/33 • C IN E MAt; • Neither MacDonald, who After Star Channel went Star and First Choice announced the d eal at a press d ark, Superch an neL which conference Dec. 6 in Halifax, had been buyin g Hollywood On 'pay fronf wait and see post- Be strike cut-rate deal nor officials at First Ch oice p roduct on beh a lf of all regio­ would d isclose details, saying nals an d which says is owed OTTAWA - The name of the Star Channel's collapse, a week­ it still had to be ratified by the m oney by Star Channe l, ap­ game in Canada's troubled pay­ long telegram battle by the re­ TORONTO - Star Ch a nnel First Choice board of directors, p oin ted itself as the Atla ntic television industry is still 'wait gional office of the Commission preside nt Findlay MacDonald then approved by the CRTC. regional's receiver. The Toron­ and see.' With the Canadian to inform the cable companies says his Atlantic r egional p ay­ But a First Choice spokes­ to Domin ion Bank has also Radio-television and Telecom­ that the action was illegal, had TV service and national service man in Toronto said the d eal moved in as a receiver. munications Commission's by Dec. 3, left First Choice's First Choice h ave reached an involved m arketing Star Chan­ (CRTC) decision expected signal as the de facto supremo agreeme nt which could e nable nel as a complem entary service sometime this month, following in pay-television in the Mari­ Star Channel, w hich suspended to First Choice, with both ser­ the end-November regionals times. its service Nov. 28, to get back vices offere d in a cut-rate pack­ hearing in Vancouver, the action "It's pretty quiet on the east­ on the air. age to consumers. has moved behind-the-scenes ern front," commented CRTC where reorganization is re­ regional director Bob Oxner ported to be proceeding at to Cinema Canada. "Right breakneck speed. now it's a one-system situa­ The unexpected withdrawal tion down here. There are of Superchannel's application some negotiations said to be to extend its service into the going between Star Channel A Commitment Atlantic region in lieu ofregio­ and First Choice, where First nallicensee Star Channel which Choice is willing to provide went into receivership on the money to payoff Star's bills, weekend of Nov. 26, seems to about $4 million, in exchange have knocked the steam out of for a substantial portion of Superchannel's bid for a natio­ shares. But all of this is subject To Video nal grid of regionals. As the to Commission approval, of application was not heard at course." the Vancouver regional hear­ ings, the Commission's deci­ sion will be limited to Super­ TORONTO - Canadian film Excellence channel's westward thrust financier Jake Eberts, who into the B.C., Saskatchewan, founded Goldcrest Films and Manitoba and N.W. Territories' Television and has served as Rentals - Production markets. Superchannel's east­ the London-based company's ward move must now await chairman for seven years, will another hearing. leave that organization at the Meanwhile, in the Atlantic end of the year to join Embassy region, where .some 42 of 62 Communications International cable systems had jumped to as second-in-command under Superchannel's signal after chairman Lord Lew Grade.

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ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL Film, Photography and Video Office Toronto EFP Now with 3 Tube Betacam 151 Bloor Street West Suite 500 36lisburn Crescent, Willowdale, Ontario, Canada M2J 2Z5 Toronto, Ontario M5S 1 T6 (416) 494-1695 (416) 961-1660

34/Cinema Canada - January 1984 • CINE MAti • Video Culture off to promising start ~~~~t~n~~~~f~,~rs~~'~b~~~e~~~~a~an TORONTO - The combination "People became very involved ; Sony's involvement, but fore- the Canadian Conference of Fran<;:ois Protat has threatened of attendance figures and there was a lot of back-and- cas t s more a f a separatlOn . b e- the Arts, further questions in to relocate outside of Canada. media coverage for Novem- forth communication between tween the manufacturer and the House of Commons by "If this continues, there will ber's Video Culture Canada the participants and the au- Video Culture in the second Toronto Conservative MP David soon be no Canadian film- Festival proved a clear indica- dience, which was great." year. Crombie, and nation-wide makers left," commented Mont- tion that the non-profit orga- That kind of exchange was " It's probably time to be- press coverage, have proved real filmmaker Lois Siegel w ho nization behind the event has a very much in evidence during come a little more indepen- powerless against the depart- is facing a $15,000 reassessment winner on its hands. two of the best-attended ses- dant," she says. ment of National Revenue's tax in back taxes. "I've lost all faith The six-day blend of sym- sions. The day-long discussion "We'd like to expand our sweep of Canadian artists. in the political process." posia, exhibits, screenings, of the new music video attract- Board _ invite other groups to "Canadian artists have faced The House Standing Com- hands-on workshops and a ed a varied audience and spark- get involved in the process." no greater crisis than the har- mittee's report is expected to competition attracted some ed some interesting debates She also plans a change in the rassment they are currently take "months", according to 20,000 people to Toronto's Har- between panel members Jo roles played by herself and experiencing," said the Cana- one committee member. bourfront, and garnered an Bergman (vice-president of Peter Lynch. "We'll still be dian Conference of the Arts "Going into an election year," even wider audience through Film and Video for Warner heading the structure, but the board of governors in a tele- the Canadian Conference of the live televising ofthe sympo- Bros. Records), renowned video whole thing will be more of a gram Nov. 29 to minister of na- the Arts acting-director Brian sia over Rogers Cable TV. artist John Sanborn, CITY-TV's corporate approach. We per- tional revenue Pierre Bussieres. Anthony told Cinema Canada, All of this added up to a suc- John Martin and attendees, sonally don't have the stami- "In effect, Revenue Canada "how ~an a minister of the cessful "maiden run" for what over the "state of the art" and na to do ten jobs each as we did taxation is methodically des- crown so deliberately alienate promises to become an im- its future direction. The sem- this year _ a lot of people did troying Canada's cultural fa- large sections of the po pula- portant annual event; it was inar on the film-video interface that on a voluntary basis, and bric." tion ?" also a fair return on an exhaus- featured video and filmmaker it's a tremendous drain on one's Despite official interdepart- Unless an immediate mora- tive 18-month investment of Shirley Clarke, computer gra- resources. You can't sustain mental meetings between torium is declared, said the time and energy by executive phics designer Judson Rose- that year after year." Communications minister Conference's Nov. 29 telegram, producer/ directors Renya bush (Tron) and Zoetrope en- Plans for the future of Video Francis Fox and National Re- "we will forced to conclude Onasick and Peter Lynch. But gin eel' Brian Lee, who present- Culture are plentiful, and venue, despite the House of that the actions of your depart- both are gratified by the ed a faSCinating demo tape fea- many are already being acti- Commons' urgent directive to ment are not accidental but response. turing Francis Coppola's expe- vated: preparations for a Fes- the Standing Committee on wilful and deliberate." At press- "It's been very positive all riments with the new tech- tival Catalogue, a travelling Communications and Culture time, Bussieres had not replied round," says Onasick. "Even nology. exhibit, year-round workshops to examine artists' tax prob- to the telegram. people in the video community There was strong interest and a membership drive are all lems, and despite repeated who had some initial 'miscon- from the general public in the in the works. Onasick feels that calls for an immediate morato­ ceptions' about the organiza- screenings, workshops and the Video Culture has both estab- rium, the sweep goes on. Film­ TORONTO - The Michener tion became more supportive special hardware exhibit set lished its credibility interna- makers, film distribution com­ Awards Foundation will once they saw what we were up by principal Festival patron tionally and tied into the global panies, and most recently char­ honour the late Clark Todd, the trying to achieve." She was Sony of Canada Ltd. The com- video "network," and she'd like itable donors of artworks to CTV correspondent who died particularly struck by the "in- pany assisted in the establish- to see those connections ex- institutions, have been audited Sept. 4, 1983, while on assign­ teractive nature" of the sympa- ment and organization of Video panded for next years Festival. and substantially reassessed. ment in Lebanon. sia, attended for the most Culture Canada, offering office She also stresses the poten- part by industry professionals, space, equipment and financial tial for job creation both within video artists and students. support. Onasick is grateful for and outside the Video Culture organization. "There's the staff for the Festival, of course, and we could use a full-time roster of about ten people right now, but there are the associated benefits like production acti­ vity and training that Video Culture could generate. All that is very exciting to us."

Barbara Samuels •

TORONTO - Independent film­ maker Ron Mann began shoot­ In response to the many requests ing Dec. 11 on Fingers in the from out clients for information Sun, a .$300,000 feature drama about Life Insurance, we have which has been licensed t6 formed a new Department. VanCouver broadcaster CKVU- nt· Our Life Department will offer Mann will produce and di- a wide variety of products for both rect, and wrote the screenplay smokers and non-smokers. with Ed Sanders, poet and lead­ er of the musical group The Fugs, who will provide music and appear in the film. Also Renewable Term cast are American independent Term to 100 filmmaker and Mann mentor New Money Products Emile de Antonio, and in a Group". including Dental cameo role, Martin Sheen. The rest ofthe cast will include non­ professional actors made up of artists, writers, and musicians, said Mann. For further Information call or write: Mann described the film as a SIMON JACKSON or modern Rip Van Winkle story ARTHUR WINKLER about the issues of nuclear 3101 Bathurst St., Suite waste and nuclear arms proli­ Toronto, Ont. M6A 2Y1 feration. "The contention of the (416) 787-0304 film is to keep socia-political issues alive," he said. "They simply do not go away, even if one sleeps through a decade like the '70s."

January 1984 - Cinema Canada/35 • C I" E MA '(; • American films compete for Cinegarantie Inc. Genies in shortest list yet MORE MOVIES AND TV SHOWS Ctf008E TORONTO - Fifteen feature m e mbers can write-in nomma­ A 1000/0 CANADIAN-OWNED ' films, the shortest list in three' tions for a special award in years, have been announced as recognition of " an outstanding COMPLETION GUARANTeJR contenders for the 1984 Genie contribution by a non-Canadian Awards by the Academy of to Canadian film." Capadian Cinema. The e ligible films include Abandoning the 10-point sys­ national re leases The Terry ,THE BIG HOUSE tem used by the Federal gov­ FOl( Story (directed by Ralph Produced by Bruce Mallsn an,d ernment to certify films under Thomas), Videodrome (David George Mendeluk ' the ta~ shelter, this year the Cronenberg), Maria Chapde­ EXecutive Producer Carol ,Mallen Produced by RoJ;>ert Cooper Academy has adopted its own laine (Gilles Carle), Strange Directed by George Menaeluk 18-point system, with 13 points Brew (Rick Moranis and Dave needed to qualify (see Cinema Thomas), and A Christmas Sto­ Canada No. 100). It has meant ry (Bob Clark), as well as The two American-financed pic­ Wars (Robin Phillips), Bon­ Annie·$ Coming O,ut lA SAaI HI .011£81 Produced and Directed PrOOl,lced' and Otrected by tures shot in Canada mostly heur d'occasion (Claude Four­ Produc&d bY Oon' Murray Yves Hebert with Canadian talent, Strange nier)' Au Clair de la lune (A ndre by John ThOmson executive Producer Maloo1m Silver Brew and A Christmas Story Forcier), Lucien Broullard ENZO FERRARI (both MGM productions), will (Bruno Carriere), and Up's & Produced and Directed by be eligible for nominations. Downs (Paul Almond), Yves Hebert However, two other U.S.-pro­ Other features include A duced films shot and released 20th Century Chocolate Cake in Canada, The Dead Zone and (Lois Siegel) , Dead Wrong (Len Running Brave, did not qualify. Kowalewich), Deserters (Jack ~ Shortening the 1984 list is the Darcus), Tell Me That You Love DRAW Produced by ROIU;ld Cohen absence of at least 10 pictures Me (Tzipi Trope), and Rien £x.~tv. produc;w THE SUM DOSTY MOVIE in the low budget comedy, hor­ qu'un jeu (Brigitte Sauriol). . Karold Greelltle'V Prod_d by K~f C".~lck ror, or exploitation genres, Five feature documentaries whose producers chose not to qualify for competition : Bil( : THE SECRET DIARY THE' IRISH R.M. HILURY CLIMBING enter this year. ain't gone of them play like OF SIGMUND fREUD . JOSKE'S THtIMB Produ* by Peer Oppel1hel.... ' Unlike previous years, most him yet !Brigitte Berman), alld Wen~ Hyland . of the contenders have had of­ Falasha : El(ile of the Black ficial Canadian releases, which Jews (Simcha Jacobovici ), CHRONIQU£ oes ANNEES 60 means next year's finalists for Memoire battante (Arthur Produced by Claude BOllin NOBODY the awards, to be held Mar. 21 Lamothe), Pourquoi l'etrange MAK£5MECRY in Toronto and broadcast live M. Zolock s'interessait-il a la HI! CHAMPlON ST. LOOIS .SQOARE Starring E1lzabetb Tavl'or Carol ,Burnett on CBC-TV, will be the most bande dessinee? (S.DA Produced by Yves Hebert Produc:et1J: RoJ)t,rt UngtMR ancl ~ Sadler weH-known to the public. In Productions), and La Turlute Produced by: the past, it has frequently been des annees dures (Richard ftOtMHtC~, the practice to qualify a film by Boulet, Pascal Gelinas). 'SAVAGE ISlANDS mE SETI'LEMENT' THE 1lAJ,IU)RESSERS t~l;dmOVr:sJ ' p laying it one week in a major Fourteen shorts qualify, and ~·bv · Q"OOWr>J)~ !'a 'I ~~t.pY Una Producer Rj'chard Baker city late in the year. titles include: Acid Rain, Bay ': -

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36/Cinema Canada - January 1984 = • C I N EM A (i • Tzipi Trope from Israel for co-pro premiere ALBERTA MONTREAL - Tell Me That You by Linda Kupecek . do good films, and since rough until Astral came into it. Love Me, a 30% Canadian-60% • • wanted to do ' my film in En­ But Sandra (Kolber) and Harold Finders Keepers has found its Association of Broadcasters Israeli coproduction, opened glish, Canada seemed like the (Greenberg) said let's go with way out of the prairies, Draw gold ribbon award for the best in Montreal Dec. 2, offering a place to do it. Tell Me That You it. I'm so grateful to Harold. It's has shot its way out of Fort Ed­ 1983 news documentary for rare look at a contemporary Love Me is the most faircopro­ just incredible that he could monton, and Change of Heart Fugitives on the Wind. Roger Israeli film, with the added duction ever done under the make a film like Maria Chapde­ has retracked to CBC Toronto, Vernon won a Golden Sheaffor attraction of having Canadian Israeli treaty. We can do a lot laine and then do mine. But the while local producers continue best cinematography at the stars like Nick Mancuso, Ken­ together, so let's fight the odds Astral family sustained it. the economic struggle to shoot Yorkton Short Film and Video neth Welsh, and Belinda Mont­ together." in Alberta. Festival for Catherine Burgess: gomery. "I know the film will have a As an. Israeli, Trope wanted difficult time ; it's a first sale by Sculptor in Steel and Armin In town for the North Ameri­ • to show another side of Israel an unknown director. But it's Jerry Krepakevich of the NFB Matter won the corresponding can premiere of her first feature "not as a country at war, but an honest film. As a filmmaker North West Studio in Edmon­ Golden Sheaf for best video­ film was Israeli director Tzipi one inhabited by human beings I'm just curious as to what will ton reports a number of proj­ graphy for Aspen Parkland. Trope whose screenplay, co­ who feel the same things as happen with it." ects: From Bears to Bartok, Michael Douglas won Best Chil­ authore~ with Sandra Kolber, everybody." Tell Me That You Tell Me That You Love Me, a film on the Banff Centre dren's Television Program in was the 1980 selection by the Love Me is the story of a news­ produced by Astral Film Pro­ directed by Revan Dolgoy : The the Network Category at the government of Jsrael's Fund paper woman (Barbara Wil­ ductions in Canada and Roll Man from Petrocan, directed Canadian Children's Broadcast For the Promotion of Quality liams) tom between career, Film Productions in Israel, and by Larry Pratt and Ron Orieux : Institute Awards for Garage Films In Israel. family and husband (Nick released in Canada by Astral Alberta Bound, co-directed by Gazette (a Douglas Film Group/ "Nobody wants to see Israeli Mancuso). Film Distribution, is a 1984 Peter Campbell ; Children of ACCESS co-productionl. films," Trope, a former soldier "People don't understand Genie contender. Alcohol, directed by Gil Car­ • who describes herself as a that women are afraid of men," dinal; Beyond the Frontier Meanwhile, Santa may yet "non-strident feminist," told says Trope, "I wanted to show directed by Dale Phillips ; and come to Alberta, and, if not that Cinema Canada, "least of all. a modern woman's confusion, Byron Harmon directed by Arvi favorite elf, then a munchkin or Israelis, and American produc­ but also how hard it is for men Orion books Hotel Liimatainen. two in the spring .. . all in the tions really fuck us, so it was to have to deal with what • same of shooting in Alberta. fabulous to work with a Cana- women want or don't want. I New Hampshire A ten-part radio drama based - dian cast. on the story of Long Lance, hope people will come out of TORONTO - Orion Pictures has reporter-adventurer, was pro­ TORONTO - The 26th annual "I came to Canada three years the film and think." scheduled Hotel New Hamp­ duced at the Calgary CBC stu­ American Film Festival, the ago- at the height of the boom. shire, the FilmIine Productions dios and will be aired on CBC major U.S. competitioT). for non­ I was here a year and I com­ With a budget of just under feature shot in Montreal earlier Morningside for two weeks. theatrical film, will be held pletely identified with your in­ $1 million, Tell Me That You this year directed by Tony Ri­ dustry and its problems. I fell Greg Rogers directed the script May 28-June 2 in New York Love Me took Trope two years chardson, among its Spring City. Deadline for entry is Jan. in love with your yearning to to put together. " It was very by Calgarian Bonnie LeMay. 1984 releases. 13. The events sponsors, the Congratulations• to Alberta Educational Film Library Asso­ award-winners : Lynne Rach ciation, showcase the Blue of CFCN won the Canadian Ribbon (first place) and Red Ribbon (runner-up) winners The Canadian Independent across the U.S . after the festival. Short Film Showcase

a program of the Canada Council administered by the Academy of Canadian Cinema

Entries are now being accepted for a national juried competition of short films. Winning shorts will be distributed with feature films to commercial theatres across Canada. Winning filmmakers will receive an honorarium of $3,000. To be eligible, films which may be live action or animated must meet the following criteria: • be produced and directed by an independent Canadian filmmaker • be 10 minutes or less • be either 16mm or 35mm • have been made within the last 3 years • have dialogue in either English or Fre~ch . • have copyright clearance and no prevIous run In a 35mm commercial theatre or previous showing on network lV or Pay-lV in North America. Where applicable, the Canada Council will assume the expense of sub-titling, multiple prints and a blow-up to 35mm.

DEADLINE-FOR APPLICATIONS JANUARY 15,1984.

For application forms or further information please contact: ~ For further information caH or writ-e ; Jennifer Stark ARTHUR WINKLER, CW Academy of Canadian Cinema 3101 Bathurst st ., Suite 201, . Toronto, Onto M6A 2Y1, 653 Yonge Street, 2nd floor (416-) 767 -0304 Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1Z9 I:II (416) 967-{)3-15

January 1984 - Cinema Canada/37 • ~I"i MAti • Rogers buys pay license for U.S. service TORONTO - Rogers Cablesys­ effect own the (C Channel) by the U.S. Statcom4 satellite. It tems Inc. is making a bid to license." However, a more cau­ buys programming "off-the­ obtain the C Channel license tious Lind said : "We're not say­ shelf' and has not commis­ held by Lively Arts Market 'ing we have the license. We've sioned any new programming Builders Inc. to set up a carrier paid LAMB a nominal fee to in its three-year existence, and service which would bring the surrender the license, and then according to a company spokes­ U.S. arts pay-TV service Bravo we will attempt to obtain the man is not expected to do so to. Canada. license through the public during the next two years. Rogers has paid Price Water­ hearing process." Rogers argues that their Bra­ house, receivers for C Channel, C Channel president Ed vo proposal will provide Cana­ EVELYN $12,500 in return that it make Cowan told Cinema Canada dian pay-TV consumers with a KAYE an application to the Canadian that the LAMB shareholders differentiation of services and Radio-television and Telecom­ had nothing to do with the deal will give Canadian producers a LINDA munications Commission and that majority shareholder new window to the North VAN (CRTC) to surrender the C Hamilton Southam had pro­ American market. EVERA Channel license, conditional tested vehemently to the CRTC. upon a new license being "Why should the lice nse go to granted to a Rogers subsidiary. Rogers with nothing coming to Governments fund Rogers has also concluded a them (C Channel sharehold­ PATTY program supply arrangement ers ) ?" asked Cowan. GAIL with Bravo, an American cable Another point is that the new video studio in TO service featuring a 60/40 mix of CRTC previously has not ap­ TORONTO - A new video stu­ feature films and performing proved applications to carry dio, whose renovation and arts programming. Bravo has services which have primarily operation will be funded by agreed to spend 10 percent of U.S. programming sources (it municipal, provincial, and fed­ its total programming budget turned down First Choice's eral government, will open on acquiring Canadian pro­ application to carry U.S. all­ Feb. 1 in Toronto. gramming. sports channel ESPN.). But The Arts Television Centre, Rogers senior vice-president Lind said he is confident the to be operated by the non­ Philip Lind said Rogers intends CRTC will give the Rogers pro­ profit Visus Foundation head­ to augment this Canadian con­ posal a hearing. ed by Lawrence and Miriam tent with its own further pro­ Rogers plans to carry Bravo Adams, will feature 2,000 feet gramming acquisitions. He as a complementary service to of space and include control 179 CARLTON STREET said Rogers would file an ap­ existing Canadian pay chan­ room, a production floor, TORONTO, ONTARIO M5A 2K3 plication with the CRTC for the nels, said Lind. It will offer dressing rooms, and adminis­ TELEPHONE (416) 923·0919 pay service in late December. Bravo alone to its subscribers trative offices. The total cost of If Rogers is successful, it will at $15.95, but in tandem with renovating the location, at 142 become the first Canadian one of the existing services for George St., is $150,000, and first­ cable company to own a licen­ "less than $20.00." year operating costs are bud­ Photo credit: Mike Assaly se and operate a pay-TV service. •Bravo is owned by Daniels & geted at $200,000. However, there are several Associates, Cox Cable Com­ The Ontario Ministry of Citi­ obstacles which may impede munications Inc., and Cable zenship and Culture has con­ the Rogers plan, the first being Vision Systems Development tributed a grant of $50,815 CRTC approval. It is illegal to Co. of Woodbury, New York. It toward the cost of renovation. traffic CRTC licenses, and the is one of five cable systems $12,500 Rogers paid to the re­ marketed and distributed by ceiver, which they describe as Rainbow, whose head is Cable Open Circle complete a "nominal fee to begin (the Vision chairman Charles TORONTO - Independent film­ licensing) process", may be Dolan. Rainbow also distrib­ makers Stavros Stavrides and perceived as a sale by the com­ utes The Playboy Channel, Jesse Nishitata havecomple­ mission. Sports Channel New York, ted Open Circle, a one-hour Rogers executive Kevin Shea Sports Channel New England, performance film shot at a fes­ told a press conference Dec. 8 and Prism. tival of native peoples from in Toronto that, "conditional Bravo has 165,000 subscrib­ around the world in Peterbo­ on CRTC approval, we now in ers and its signal is delivered rough last year. Rim Production Insurance Insurance Specialists for CANADIAN &INTERNAnONAL RLMS Since 1965

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38/Cinema Canada - January 1 984 • C IN E MAt; • s,:condary role suggested by some of his rulings. Several First Choice. Later in the pro­ breaks were called in order to BC hearings cedings, he noted that it was caucus with his colleagues Insight builds development fund not apropriate for the Com­ over sp ecific matters of proce­ (cant. from page 30) TORONTO - Indepe nde nt pro­ Explains Brunton : "If w e mission to condone the "traf­ dures. Following one of these, no local owners could be duction house Insight Produc­ commission a script fo r a dol­ ficking" of licenses, nor to he ruled that neither the CCTA found, Superchannel was offer­ tions of Toronto has establish­ lar, w e sell it for two dollars, approve the transfer of AIM to nor any Atlantic cable opera­ ing to introduce its service - to ed a fund to hire Canadia n put the dollar back into the Supe rchannel Alberta, since its tors, could address the issue of uphold the CRTC's intended writers to develop te levis io n fund, and split the other dollar m a nage ment was not familiar Star Channel's replaceme nt by design of March 1982.. scripts. with the parties involved ." with B. C. or its cultural com­ Supe rcha nnel, since they had During his appearance, Fin­ Insight president Jo hn Brun­ One project c urre ntly in munity. He was joined in this no t applied to do so at the time lay MacDonald said that he to n said his compa ny, in asso­ developme nt is Air That J b elief by seve ral others, inclu­ of the original applica tion. It now accepted the idea of a cia tion w ith indus try pa rtne rs Breathe, a feature dra ma being ding filmmaker Werner Alle n, did not seem to matter tha t the regional mini-service, though which include a broad caster, sc ripted by Daphne Ba il o n . In­ and the Vancouver East Cultur­ extra ordinary Star Cha nnel he was not clear how it would several e ntre prene urs, a nd a sight also expects to sign al Centre. Others in the indus­ collapse had altered the im­ come about. He suggested tha t pay op erator, has set aside $50- several writers early in the try, howe ve r, argued that to pact of this part of the h earing he now had an indication that ne w yearonComedy Jam, aTV d elay a regional service any conSide rably, nor that many 100,000 for the fund, a nd is First Choice would help recon­ series it has had in d evelop­ longer would d e ny local p eo­ Atla ntic region cable cos w e re looking to invest in situa tion stitute his service, but would m e nt for over a year. ple the ir participation in the a lready distributing the Onta­ comedies, dramatic series, reveal no other details. "It's time we started invest­ pay industry. Similarly, dozens rio Supe rchannel signal in lie u va ri ety and comedy sp ecials, TVEC, the Quebec regional, ing money into writers in this of interve nors wanted to see an of Star's. Bureau stood firm on and TV miniseries. insisted that it was a distinc­ industry," said Brunton, who alterna tive to First Choice as the matter. Before Insight invests in a tive service for French-speak­ proposal, it first determines if added Insight had been large­ soon as possible. ly unsuccessful in soliciting ing Canadians, run and owned No consensus there is substantial marke t in­ by French Canadians, and not a Clearly disturbed te rest for the property. The n it scripts from \", rite rs. Presently, satellite of some other operator. A consensus was not ove r­ subsidizes a writer's efforts beside looking for write rs, President Jean Fortier also The CRTC was clearly dis­ whe lmingly evident from the and sells the script at a pre­ Brunton is looking for more in­ noted that his network could turbed by the events that Commissioners. A few hinted mium, with money from the vestment partners to broaden not survive much longer if the transpired in Vancouver. Com­ that they were never happy sale used to replenish the fund. the fund's base. Commission insisted on p e r­ missioner Rosalie Gower's oft­ with the original decision, mitting two services to com­ quoted remarks about not see­ while others seemed to be un­ ing so much blood on the floor aware they were some how pete for the small, primarily has already done, m ean s that since s he had left the operating respo nsible for the colla psing Commission would a pprove Quebec-based market, and that little indigenous programming theatres of Vernon was an deck of cards of the pay te levi­ all the Allard applicatio ns. In he felt the Quebec segment of w ill get produced withou t unde rstatem e nt. Although s ion industry in Canada. It was so doing they would b e uphold­ the otherwise non-existent Canadian conte nt compromi­ courtesies w ere exchanged in clear from their questions that ing the original decision fo r French national network, Pre­ ses being made. An d as Can a­ ho te l hallways and lobby, few only one ortwo had subscribed competitive pay services, rather mier Choix, should be ordered d ia ns are not beating down could d oubt the pay operators' to the services, so they had no than regional services provid­ to shut itself down. doors to subscribe to p ay tele­ ba ttle to the death had begun w ay other than staff briefin gs ing alte mative programming vision, no a mount of ra ti on a li­ Myles Murchison, one of the in earnest. and fac tum notes to grasp to the na tional ne tw ork. As the zation will alte r the ultima te unsuccessful applicants for At his first hearing, the some of the intricate issues Commissioners ofte n noted , test of the marketplace. the original B.C. license, sug­ CRTC's new chairman, Andre first-hand. Their questions there is little more to pay tele­ gested that a regionally identi­ Bureau, acted in a very comp­ re fl ected an ignorance of im­ vision than the showing ofmo­ David Balcon • fiable pay service was possi­ tent and diplomatic fashion, portant details. vies. To further fragme nt the ble, but did not see it in the though he was quite rigid in Most observers fe lt that the revenues, as the Commission Th e Great Shorts The Great Shorts The Gr eat Shorts The Great S horts Th e G rea t Sh orts The Great Shorts Th e Great Shorts The Great Shorts The Great Shorts Th e The Best of the Great Shorts The 1983 Golden Sheaf Winners were:

FILM VIDEO Best Video of the Festival B~st Film of the Festival Best Human Condition Category "S.lllcir,\ and Her Kids" 27 mlllLlt E' ~ Tom KE' llv CBC. Tornnl o Best Human Condition Category . "Chamhers Track an-d G esluTe s" 56 m111ul ('s All ,1 t111 .... F dm ~ Ln1111Pc1 . T(JT0 1l! O "S,mdr.l tlnd H E' I Kid ... " 27 mlr1ll1 E'~ CBC. TnroI11() Best Human Dynamic Category No award was pr~sented in the "Tclm Magee Ma n (If Irnn" 30 m l l1ul f'5 M()htus Inl e rIlC'l I IOlli)l . T Cl r (HlIC I Human Dynamic or Spontaneous Human Categories No award was presented for Bes t Direction Best Spontaneous Human Category " L 'A c l C> UT pI La VOI~ H1 E' '' 26 m1J) 1I1 1!~ Pi1 rilm(l9P M n n lfE'il l Best Editing ,lv, ,, ) 1,) fI(" " People's Choice Award Alle ll K roeker Best Direction "O(lwnhlll A m, \"Vi'H: V rlll C.1)l" 24 mInute .... The Well A mpuldl lon .... 41( C o.l rla d a . Ot 1aw() Best Script AII ~1l Kroeker Best Performance Ceol"lc Smllh Best Scrip' ,h ,t\l1 PH.' l IF Ill 'C l! 1I11 "Ill The Fi1 II " 3R mlllllies CKND TV. WI llllll' ('~l Best Sound Editing R()[1{'rt J ;:lI.: q Ul' .... Best Children's Best Editing P~lIl Fox "orklon T"levision Co. Ltd. Video Award Certificate of Merit Special Jury Award Y t)lI l en" nlll1l11E' S "I Thmk Of Of 10 A ftenmdgf:'. Tornnlo " QI\·{' .... 1 n ' Q UI M 'A nl\'l''J'' 2.1 mlnu tl:' .... H O";'Plt

Best Sound Editing N,,' F IC hmi1 11 Best Videography A rmin M,)l1 n " OP ll ~ T w o " 58 minutes Rhumhus Mc>d l(c) Inc. T o rnillO .. A.... p p n P.lfkl. l1)ci" 29 rnlllull' .... ACCfSS Albl 'l la. Ecim()1l 11111

Best Cinematography Roger Vernon Best Performance Ad,H'll Br(I(lkel "C OI henne Sc ulptor In SI f'el" 10 minu tes M 1SlnYil F il m S4?r vlcP.... L td , Banff Bur ~f' ss' " R(' 1I1l1nn" 2H nlItHl.l t' .... CKND TV. W ltllllp eq

Nettie Kryski Canadian Heritage 'Award Certificate of Merit Films "Wlld GO OS!? Jilek" 57 ml11l1t e~ Cleol HOf1 i'u n Inc.. W l1l ds(ll " H lI1l1In ~ Sl:'a .... (ll1 ·· ~ O J111n1l1 l ' .... C KNO TV \Al11l11lpeq

Special Jury Award "Sumnw r of the Lnuc heollx POI tril lt (If " N o rth c> rn indl(l ll F ( m ) ll ~ '" 28 m lll ll!(' .... Tan1 C1 rock Fdm s. Edm(Jnl o ll ***** * ** * * Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada Certificate of Merit ·~ I?e h(Pt() . VIla Sprena" 26 mInutes C(ln ~ I ("'Im () M itgl1 al!n. Toronto

The Great Shorts The Great Shorts The Great Shorts The Great Shorts The Great Shorts The Great Shorts The Great Shorts The Great Shorts The Great Shorts The

January 1984 - Cinema Canada/39 • CIME MAti • Cultural initiatives in throne speech Mtl fests set dates Canadians set sights on Oscars OTTAWA - In an unprecedent­ dated to examine the tax impli­ TORONTO - Bonh'eur d'occa­ film, which had Gala screenings ed move, the Throne Speech cations of charitable donations MONTREAL - The city's two sion, director Claude Fournier's at both Montreal and Toronto read Dec. 7 by Governor-General and related matters. leading film festivals chose the adaptation of Gabrielle Roy's festivals earlier this year and Edward Schreyer marking the "In general," commented same day to announce the dates acclaimed novel, will be Cana­ made its American premiere opening of the second session the Canadian Conference of of their respective '84 versions. da's official submission for Dec. 2 at New York's Museum of the 32nd Parliament, devoted the Arts' acting director Brian At a news conference Dec. 6, possible nomination as best of Modern Art. three paragraphs to Canadian Anthony, "it strikes me there's World Film Festival director foreign ' language picture for Another NFB entry into the culture. never been so much on culture Serge Losique announced that the 1984 Academy Awards. animation category is Pierre "If Canadians are not to be in a Throne Speech before, so that German director Volker A co-production of indepen­ Veilleux's Une ame de voile. strangers in their own land," this is an unprecedented event. Schlondorrf (Un amour de dent producer Marie-Jose Ray­ The Profession of Arms, a the Throne speech began omi­ Somebody fought a battle to Swann) would head the jury mond, the National Film Board, segment from the War series nously, and went on to promise work some culture into the for the 8th World Film Festival and the Canadian Broadcasting written and hosted by Gwynne more Canadian-made pro­ Speech and that deserves com­ in Montreal Aug. 16-27, and the Corp., the film earns the nod Dyer and broadcast on CBC-TV grams for the CBC and more mendation. cinema of Australia would be over such possible choices as this fall, was entered in the incentives for private produ­ "On the negative side, the spotlighted. Gilles Carle's Maria Chapde­ documentary feature category. cers of television programs, reality is that the budgets of Festival headquarters this laine, Andre Forcier's Au clair Flamenco at 5:15, directed by films and recordings. The cultural agencies are being year as well as the 1984 Mont­ de la lune, and Bruno Carriere's Cynthia Scott, was entered as a speech announced that a bill frozen and National Revenue real Film Market will move to Lucien Brouillard. The film documentary short. on the National Broadcasting seems hell-bent on eroding the the Meridien Hotel, Losique stars Mireille Deyglun, Marilyn Three Jive action shorts were Policy would be tabled, allow­ country's cultural fabric. said, near the fiveplex Parisien Lightstone, and Michel Forget. entered : John Kent Harrison's ing increased Canadian con­ "Still, I suppose one should cinema where the main public Released Aug. 29 in Quebec Thanks For the Ride, Don Wil­ tent on the CBC, increased be grateful that the quality 6f screenings will be held. Losi­ by Cine 360, the film attracted liams' Aloud/Bagatelle, and French-language program­ cultural coverage in the speech que added that negotiations good box office. However, its Thomas Vamos' La Plante. ming, more efficient marketing was as good as it was." are underway with Famous English version, The Tin Flute, of Canadian cultural products, Players to obtain the nearby was panned at the Festival of greater access to the airwaves Imperial Theatre to accomo­ Festivals in Toronto and did for regional and native interests, OTTAWA - Frank Taylor, re­ date the film event's overflow poorly in a Toronto release by and greater incentives to private cently of the staff ofthe Festival crowds. Spectrafilm in October. The MONTREAL - January 10 is the program producers. of Festivals where he was in Meanwhile, several blocks French version will also com­ deadline for entry into the Fifth The new film policy was pro­ charge of corporate donations, away, International Festival of pete in the '1984 Genie Awards. International Festival of Super mised, and policies for video has been named head of the New Cinema director Claude The National Film Board an­ 8, to be held in Quebec between and sound recordings would Canadian Film Institute. Taylor Chamberlan announced that nounced it has submitted eight Feb. 21-26. Selected films will be introduced in recognition of worked previously for the CFI the 13th festival would be held films for possible nomination be screened at the Cinemathe­ the new electronic technology. as head of the National Film from Oct. 12-21 and would host in the animation, live action que Quebecoise, and then be Finally, revisions in Canadian Theatre, then branched out on a wide range of films, an even short, and documentary cate­ shown around the province in telecommunications law and his own as renovator and ex­ stronger video presence, inter­ gories. Heading the animation a variety of cities : Quebec, Ri­ the Copyright Act were pro­ hibitor of the Phoenix Theatre active sessions with noted list is director Norman Mc­ mouski, Chicoutimi, Sherbrooke, mised, and a mixed parliamen­ in Ottawa, and then as head of cinematographic artists, and Laren's Narcissus, the noted Hull Trois-Rivieres, Drummond­ tary committee would be man- his own distribution company. many other surprises. NFB animator's 59th and final ville and Laval.

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40/Cinema Canada - January 1984 • C IN E MAti • Ben Gordon to host its Mon.­ exec. v.p. at First Choice ... Mar­ Thur. series of old Hollywood garet Little, formerly with Omnibus goes South Toronto News in Briel movies, Late Night. Also signed Rogers Broadcast Productions, TORONTO - In a move to tap as the series consulting film has joined International Tele­ the lucrative U.S. market, Om­ TORONTO - Independent thea­ Choice Rocks concert series historian is Toronto writer film Enterprises as the com­ nibus Computer Graphics Inc. tre The Ritz closed its doors continues with a New Year's Clive Denton. pany's director of marketing. of Toronto has signed deals Nov. 22 due to poor business. Eve telecast of The Police with Nelvana Ltd.'s animated fea­ Over 2,550,000 Ontario view­ with three u.S. companies and Managed by brothers Carmen guests Blue Peter, shot this ture Rock'n'Rule won the prize ers watched The Day After on will open subsidiary offices in and Paul Bordonaro, the thea­ summer in Montreal Concert for best special effects Nov. 12 Global Nov. 20, making it the New York and Los Angeles. tre opened with a repertory footage was directed by Kevin at the first Brussels Interna­ most watched program in the Omnibus announced it will program in May, and did well Godley and Lol Cream, former­ tional Fantasy Film Festival. network's history. The panel open a New York office, to be during August, but business ly of the British band 1Occ, with Nelvana producer Michael discussion following the show called Omnibus Computer declined in September and The Police interviews directed Hirsh attended the fest... Two recorded 1,493,000 viewers. In Graphics Inc. of New York, with October. Just before it closed, by Jack McAndrew ... Orion Pic­ films by Canadian directors, contrast, CBC attracted only a satellite office in Los Angeles, the theatre had switched over tures has scheduled Hotel New David Cronenberg's The Dead 384,000 national viewers for its after a deal was signed with to an offbeat first-run format, Hampshire, shot in Montreal Zone and George Cosmatos's BBC production of King Lear N.Y.-based Unite I Video Inc., in scheduling the Australian earlier this year produced by Of Unknown Origin, will com­ with Sir Laurence Olivier, and which Unitel bought a 20 per­ youth musical Star Struck and Filmline and directed by Tony pete in the Avoriaz Fantasy CTV ran an episode of Kenne­ cent interest in the new sub­ the Canadian cult movie Big Richardson, for a spring 1984 Film Festival Jan. 14-22 in the dy to a national audience of sidiary for $640,000 (U.S.). Meat Eater. The Bordonaros release. ski-resort town of Avoriaz, 2,523,000 viewers. President of Omnibus is John have approached the theatre's CBC has commissioned To­ France ... CBC won four medals Using the technology devel­ Pennie, with Joe Martin vice­ owners, multilingual televi­ ronto writer Roy McGregor to (two gold, one silver, one bron­ oped to assist hearing-impaired president, and the company sion channel MTV, about script a three-part TV mini­ ze) and CTV three (one gold, viewers, CBC-TV's English­ provides computer-generated operating the facility for con­ series based on his recent two silver) at the 26th Inter­ language network will for the graphiCS and special effects certs, special event screenings, novel, The Last Season ... Nor­ national Film & TV Festival in first time broadcast a Radio­ to the film industry. Projects and as a studio. man Snider is currently work­ New York ... Harvey Kirck cele­ Canada drama in French with they have been involved with Raoul Wallenberg: Buried ing on a second draft of Ron brated his 20th anniversary as English sub-titles, when it airs include the TV Ontario/ NHK Alive, produced by Wayne Mann's screenplay Border CTV National News anchor­ Le Temps d'une pail' on Dec. (Japan)/Alvin Toffler TV co­ Arron and directed by David Lives, which Mann hopes to man Dec. 2 ... Wendy Dey has 25. production The Third Wave Harel, had its Canadian thea­ produce next fall ... The Wars been appointed executive CBC also plans to broadcast and the Hollywood feature film trical premiere Dec. 1 at the author Timothy Findley will producer of news and public the four-part Radio-Canada Star Trek III. Park Theatre in Toronto at a lecture and read from his work affairs for Ontario's Global TV 1978 drama Duplessis in French Information International special screening sponsored at a meeting of the Americas network ... Jay Switzer is now with English subtitles. The four­ Inc. of Culver City, Calif., has by B'Nai B'rith Canada. A TV Society Dec. 12 in New York program director · at Toronto part mini-series on former also granted Omnibus exclu­ version of the documentary City as part of a u.S. reading indy City-TV, a post once held Quebec premier Maurice sive rights for a three-dimen­ has been sold to PBS ... The First tour ... CBC-TV has signed actor by his mom, Phyllis, now an Duplessis was produced in sional digital scene simulation 1978 by Mark Blandford (Em­ system it has developed, which pire Inc., Balconville) but has was used in the computer­ never been telecast on the generated special effects fea­ English network. tured in the Disney picture Tron. Omnibus has also signed an agreement with Robert Abel & Associates to use the Abel System. OFF'NONUNE VIdeo Post Production

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January 1984 - Cinema Canada/41 • C IN E MAti • da Council, and the show's Point of View . director Korican says they are looking to sell the program to Film Consortium sues Roffey and Permutter other cable outlets, educational features indy program TV, and broadcast networks. TORONTO - The producers of The third-party action de­ representative agreements TORONTO - Michael Korican, Among the indy filmmakers mands a full accounting, dam­ and sales agency contracts. highlighted on the show are troubled tax-shelter movie Cir­ Wendy Shaver, Jeff Steinberg, cle of Two have filed a state­ ages for loss of profits against ."You spend two years put­ and Doug Colling, members of Bruce McDonald, Robin Lee, all parties totalling $2 million, ting a film together under this Janis Lundman, Martha Davis, ment of defense with the the Liason of Independent Supreme Court of Ontario damages for loss of reputation system and then it is in the Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT)' Mark Achbar, Suki Ulman, and and good name against all par­ hands of people with no profes­ Sebastian Salm. denying allegations made are producing Point of View, a against them by some 140 unit­ ties totalling $2 million, and sional expertise to deal with series of one-hour shows show­ holders in a $34.7 million law­ against Morguard, reimburse­ the sophisticated international casing works by independent suit filed Aug. 25. ment of out-of-pocket expenses film distribution system." Toronto filmmakers telecast Film Consortium of Canada totalling $80,000. Meanwhile, as of Dec. 9, the on the Maclean-Hunter Cable Insight's Indigo Inc. and Circle of Two Produc­ Film Consortium of Canada number of unitholders invol­ TV system. tions Ltd. also have filed a third; and Circle of Two Prod. are ved in the original suit as plain­ Sponsored by Maclean-Hun­ party action against co-defen­ controlled by William Marshall tiffs has increased from 140 ter and LIFT, the shows feature TORONTO-Indigo, a review of dants Morguard Group Ltd., and Henk van der Kolk, who representing 178 units to 235 hosts (Shaver and Steinberg) black achievements in music Toronto Film Financier David produced Circle of Two in representing more than 300 who introduce independent and dance written by and star­ Roffey, two companies asso­ Toronto in 1979, financing the units. Defendants Morguard films and interview the film­ ring Salome Bey, will be broad­ ciated with Roffey, Jarnac Mo­ $5.7 million film as a tax-shel­ Group Ltd. and Morguard Trust makers after the material is cast nationally on CBC-TV Jan. tion Picture Finance Ltd. and tered public offering. It was Company have both filed state­ presented. The series began in 29. Jarnac Film Holdings Ltd., To­ directed by Jules Dassin and ments of defense denying al­ September and three shows A co-production of Toronto ronto film producer and finan­ stars Richard Burton and Ta­ legations made in the unit­ have been aired, with the fourth independent producers In­ cier David Perlmutter (not a tum O'Neal. holders' statement of claim, scheduled for Jan. 17. Ten are sight Prod., the CBC, and re­ defendant in the unitholders' A Film Consortium of Ca­ while defendant Roffey has planned. gional pay-TV service Super­ action), and six companies nada spokesman said in a filed a demand for particulars. Maclean-.Hunter beams the channeL the show is unique associated with Perlmutter: news release: "What this ac­ shows into Toronto's Parkdale­ because it will air first on net­ Compass Film Sales Ltd., Na­ tions points out is the helpless­ TORONTO - Independent film­ Trinity neighbourhood just work TV before going to its pay tional Film Finance Corp., Qua­ ness of the producer and pro­ maker Mary Bellis has com­ west of downtown. Unlike window. drant Films Ltd., Quadrant Film duction company to influence pleted principal photography most low-budget productions The show was taped in To­ Partner Ltd., Quadrant Distri­ the fate of a film once it has on Paradise, a 16 mm feature for cable, LIFT has contracted ronto last year with stars Bey, buting Ltd., and Velvet Film been made, under the restraints length avant-garde narrative that after three plays on the Charlaine Woodard, Taj MahaL Productions Ltd. of a public issue, unitholders shot Nov. 15-Dec. 1 in New York. .M-H system, the rights revert Billy Dorsey, Denis Simpson, back to the producers (usually Billy Newton-Davis, and Eugene cable companies, own material Clark. It is directed by Paddy produced with their hardware Sampson, with choreography . ,'. lock, stock, and barreLi by Mabel Robinson and music LIFT has applied for an ex­ by Bey, George Broderick, and ploration grant from the Cana- Denzil Miller. 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42/Cinema Canada - January 1984 • CIME MAt; • CFlA- AC M PC jockey for program producers ~~~~T~~~~i~~~t f~t~~i~d~g~e!~~tca,,, two French dramas have signed accepted (but not signed to TORONTO - There is a move­ proposed in the range of $500 ductions, who supports the contracts to access the Broad- contracts), pending, and reject­ ment among the surviving per quarter. new lobby group, said the in­ cast Program Development ed. Besides 19 signed contracts, members of the Association of . The move to revitalize the dustry cannot afford not to do Fund administered by the there are 10 projects accepted, Canadian Movie Production dormant ACMPC comes after it. "We're paying the price Canadian Film Development seven English (five drama, two Companies, headed by Stephen months of unsuccessful nego­ already, but not effectively," he Corp., bringing the total num- variety) and three French (one Roth of RSL Films, and some tiations to incorporate ACMPC said, adding the group's intent ber of projects which have re- variety, two children's) and 12 Toronto television producers members into an autonomous was .to form "one association ceived money from the fund to projects pending, seven En- led by Primedia Productions' producer's group within the with one focus: to create a Pat Ferns, to create a full-time 19. glish (six drama, one variety) Canadian Film and Television viable feature film and TV pro­ and five French (one drama, lobby group voicing the con­ Association. duction industry in this coun­ The English projects include three variety, one children's) . cern of Canadian independent CFTA president Jack Mc­ try." The Bay Boy, an International The figures are as of Nov. 18 for feature film and television pro­ Andrew said an agreement He added: "I don't think Cinema Corp. co-production French projects, Nov. 30 for duction companies. could not be reached to recon­ there is a single viable com­ with French producers Ha­ English. About a dozen Toronto pro­ stitute the CFTA to serve the pany right now." chette-Fox currently shooting ducers met Dec. 7 to discuss producers' needs. "If the pro­ Meanwhile, the CFTA board in Glace Bay, N.S., under direct­ the possible inclusion of TV ducers' body was autonomous adopted an initiative Nov. 17 to or Daniel Petrie, which has production companies into the then effectively there would be recruit new members. It pre­ been licensed to CTV; a series ACMPC. After the meeting, no CFTA" Also, McAndrew said sently has about 135 members of eight half-hour CanLit Jewison and Agnes Ferns told Cinema Canada: producers currently in the CFTA within the production, post­ dramas to be produced in 1984 "The ACMPC has decided to who would not afford the new production, and distribution by Atlantis Films, licensed to TORONTO - Canadian pro­ broaden its mandate to include group's dues would be disen­ sectors ofthe independent film Global TV ; and Renaissance ducer and director Norman TV producers, and the group franchised. and video industry, 75 percent Productions' adaptation to the J ewison has acquired rights to present will respond to invita­ MCAndrew added: " As a of which are Ontario-based Stratford Festival production the Broadway play Agnes of tions to join." producer, I can see nothing companies. The Country Wife, directed by God and plans to produce a $10 Ferns estimated the strength that this new group would be The CFTA is looking to John Thomson, taped in million film version for Colum­ of the new group to be any­ able to accomplish that could broaden its membership in November and licensed to Glo­ bia Pictures in Canada next where from 15-30 members not be or was not accomplish­ Eastern and Western Canada, bal. spring. strong, including present ed by the CFTA" and has approached unaffilia­ French projects include an­ Agnes playwright John Piel­ ACMPC me'mbers Astral, RSL, However, Ferns told Cinema ted producers and members of other ICC Canadian-French co­ meier has been signed to write International Cinema Corp., Canada: "A number of pro­ the Canadian Association of production, Louisiana, shot the screenplay. Robert Cooper Prod., Ronald ducers feel the CFTA's voice Motion Picture Producers earlier this year in France and At presstime, it was not Cohen Prod., and Cinepix. has been a bit quiet over the (CAMPP). the United States, and the known whether producer The cost of running the orga­ year." He added that in a volun­ A.C.P.AV. feature Lafemme de J ewison would also direct, or nization, including a full-time teer organization (the CFTA {,hotel, now on location in whether actress Amanda Plum­ lobbyist to speak on behalf of has no permanent staff), "it is Montreal and Quebec City, di­ mer, who earned a Tony Award producer concerns, would be difficult to maintain consis­ rected by Lea Pool. for her role in the Broadway about $100,000 per year, said tency." Gadget to air, The CFDC classifies projects production, would appear in Ferns, with membership dues Bill Macadam of Norfold Pro- rich in animation seeking fund money into four the feature film. Sheridan College TORONTO - Inspector Gadget, the largest animation project to be produced in Canada, will premiere Jan. 7 on First Choice. A co-production between Nelvana Ltd. of Toronto and Department PIC Audiovisuel of France, the 65-part half-hour animated children's series is produced of Animation by Patrick Loubert (Nelvana) Film Arts and Jean Chapolin (DIC) and directed by Nelvana's Ray­ Three year programs in Classical and mond Jafelice, Ken Stephen­ son, and Dave Cox. Technical Animation. The series has used twice as many drawings as the average TV animation production, and has employed over 100 ani­ mators and production staff over the past year. Scripts have . 16/35 post-production incorporated a health and safe­ Television and feature International ty message into each episode and the producers say great production Summer School of Animation care has been taken to ensure A three year program the series is non-exploitative with no gratuitous violence. in Classical Animation. The voice of Inspector Gad­ get, the cartoon world's first 461 Church Street bionic cop, is Don Adams (Get Smart), and other voices in­ clude Cree Summer Francks, Toronto - Canada Don Francks, and Dan Hennes­ sey. M4Y 2C5 For further information contact: Five episodes will premiere on First Choice in January, with five more to follow each Brian Patterson, Chairman month. or Tom Halley, Coordinator Telephone: 416-962-0181 Spencer Caldwell School of Visual Arts Sheridan College of Applied Arts & Technology TORONTO - Spencer W. Cald­ Trafalgar Road Oakville Ontario L6H 2Ll well, 74, founder and former president ofthe CTV television ( 416) 845-9430 network, was killed Dec. 10 in a car crash near his home in

January 1984 - Cinema CanadaJ43