CINEMA: A PROFITABLE BUT DEMANDING ART

By: Johana Sarmiento

The film Industry is a technique that has become in one of the most important arts in the world. North America and Europe have been the principal actors in this kind of art, but now also, different Spanish speaking countries, especially developing countries have tried to do the film industry a good profession that allows showing real situations that happens daily in the lives of people.

This kind of art also has another important purpose: To introduce new talents in the global film industry. It is a very important and valuable aspect because now in different developing countries we can find great actors with special characteristics to participate in major productions around the world.

In addition, in the last years the film industry has developed so fast, that diverse cinematographic genres have appeared, which have helped to find new alternatives for creating innovative projects, that generate more interest in people, and it is reflected in the film’s success at different theaters around the world.

Colombia is not the exception; our country has great directors who have ventured into this difficult but profitable art. With their productions they have gone into some film festivals worldwide, however and despite the effort to take part of the great leagues in the cinema, it has not been balanced to compete with the great creators of North America or European films, who have worked in different cinematographic genres with new and innovative topics, which are: animation, comedy, science fiction, drama, suspense, horror, adventure, action, romantic, musical, and others.

For this reason, it is important to investigate about why the Colombian film industry has not evolved quickly and creatively as it has done in other countries?

There are different reasons that have prevented the Colombian film industry to emerge as a new alternative to compete in the global film market and ensure a good audience for Colombian movies.

• The Colombian film has not been a very profitable art as an industry, which prevents the continuation and creation of new films.

• Lack of financial support from the state.

• Strong foreign competition, with modern and new movies.

• The lack of private investment that wants to take part in this art.

• The limited presence on international stages.

• Little creativity to work in the new cinematographic genres, Colombian filmmakers prefer creating movies about violence, drugs and drug trafficking; they just want to show to the world different experiences about violent situations in the country, but they not try to take part into other genres, resulting in a stalemate at the Colombian films.

Finally, film Industry is a good business that offers great opportunities in our country and the entire world, but it is necessary more investment and capital to produce new movies to compete globally.

But, the first thing that Colombian directors have to do is to change their ideas about general topics used in movies, people are tired about violent scenes, prostitution and drugs. We want to see more entertainment, happiness, happy faces, animation for children and probably it can improve the Colombian audience of our own films.

More information:

- History film in the world started on 28^th December 1895, when Louis and Auguste Lumiere made the first public projection with moving images.

- History film in Colombia began in 1897 when was registering the cinematograph arrival.

- In 1922 appeared the first feature film called “Maria”

The transition from silent films to talkies was launched worldwide in 1927.