Film industries hit by Hollywood monopoly: Latvian producer

Latvian film producer Aija Berzina today said filmmakers across major markets were fighting against the monopoly of big-budget Hollywood movies.
The money power, coupled with aggressive marketing and special effects, of Hollywood films had taken a toll on all other films markets, she rued.
"The whole of Europe is striving to create a film culture of its own. Very few people watch good films. All they need is entertainment. There is a big pressure from Hollywood," Berzina said during an open forum discussion at the first edition of Guwahati International Film Festival here.
The Latvian producer, whose film 'Mellow Mud' was screened at the GIFF yesterday, appreciated the Assam government for its efforts to showcase world cinema.

"Our society comprises more consumers and fewer thinkers. They only need entertainment," Berzina said.
Additional chief secretary VB Pyarelal said the government might start an International Documentary Film Festival and an International Children Film Festival from next year.

Eminent film critic Manoj Borpujari said, "I consider films to stand on four pillars - filmmakers, distributors, viewers and helpers (media persons and other sections that popularise films). In Assam, the fourth pillar is not working in unison."
Leading actress Jerifa Wahid, who moderated the session, said creating proper infrastructure was necessary to build a film culture in the state.
"We need more screens in Assam to make cinema viable. It is not a rocket science," she added.