WTI Magazine #22    2014 Mar, 21
Author : Simone doc Bracci      Translation by:

Earthquake in Hollywood, but in a figurative sense. The real one, with a magnitude of 4.7, was felt a few days ago, very powerful in the City of Angels, almost as a warning of what is happening these days in the world's most powerful movie industry. Los Angeles has made it just in time to file the Oscar ceremony that the news revealed by the economists of the big majors did immediately shiver the whole environment: reduction of the total production of the film in California.

As to say, the set par excellence, at least with regard to internal and Studios, is in deep crisis. The problem is not only the investment in film and cinema, decreased 11% in the last decade, but a general collapse of the interest from foreign investors. This is the paradox: the sacred site of world cinema attracts less and less. In this context and with other States ready to host productions in need for discounts, the assault on the frontier of the new cinema is officially open.

Italy of course is one of the players, and in the powerful wake of the Sorrentino effect, has set in motion a series of co-productions that look at the American landscape with limited but interesting means and resources. The breakdown of the construction costs makes it easier to travel and shooting outdoors, so that America, in the eyes of the Italian investors, seems much more accessible.

Besides, some Italian companies have moved to promote their work in an international and European perspective, in the broadest sense, then implementing a revolution in outsourcing so far linked only to large transnational projects.

An example of this? Indiana Film that with Rai Cinema (in support as a big operational player) signed for the distribution of their movie directed by Paolo Virzi, "Human capital" (which will be at Tribeca festival, too), which will be distributed in many countries such as Israel, Turkey, Brazil, Hong Kong, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

Given that, as it should always happen, quality pays well, who knows? Maybe to relaunch the sign over Laurel Canyon somebody will be willing to shoot a remake of this film. The Americans know they are talented to revive the best, especially when it comes to stories written and invented by others. It would be an interesting experiment in industrial revival with Italy at the head of it. Maybe we dream, maybe not ...