zfirfety film bank chief plans pic 'romeo-juliet 7r ...vruetalo/sarli-bo...
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Film Bank Chief Plans Pic Promotion As Art Industry
ZfiRFETY Won., Feb. 1, 1971
Mexico City, Jan. 31 — After three month* of study, analysis and discussions with industry leaders since taking over as director of the National Film Bank — which rules the destiny of the motion picture industry—Rodolfo Echeverria a n n o u n c e d several sweeping changes.
Declaring modern cinema is both an ar t and industry as well as a means of communication, Echeverria declared an open-door policy calling on filmmakers to join in "changing the face of our cinema." Primary goal, he said, "is to improve the quality of Mexican product on an artistic level with an eye toward breaking into new markets. We also must promote our growth commercially with a high level of industrial activity."
The federal government, he said, has created the basic structure for the Mexican industry by coordinating production, distribution and exhibition under the National Film Bank. He added that the government has a "hands off" policy when it cornea to "productive creativity.'' The Bank, he said, is autonomous and "generates the financing needed for all cinematographic activi-tles."
Tills amounte to about 9 0 * of operating costs at Churubusco Studios (production); Procinemex (publicity); Pel - Nal, Pel - Mex,
Cimex (distribution) and Opera-dora de Teatro* (exhibition).
The new plans call for simplifying and expediting production financing, revising requirements for heavier financing, and stimulating experimental films with coin.
Echeverria projects a revamping of Churubusco administration and a greater promotion of the studios aimed at attracting foreign production and coproducers. The studios, he added, also would promote production of film shorts with artistic, cultural, and scientific themes.
In addition to modernizing the equipment available at Churubusco, Echeverria said, to keep up with industries in other countries, a training center would be constructed as a school with sound stages, equipment, projection room, library (and film library), which would enable student* to stay on top of latest techniques.
In distribution, Echeverria plans to tighten sales and administration with an intensive tour that would take him to every office under his jurisdiction.
Echeverria also recommended a more flexible programming policy, leadiner to more profitable exploitation of local product.
Echeverria called for return of the annual "Ariel" award (Mexico's Oscar) as a stimulus for achievement.
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Florida Woos Pic Producers
Tallahassee, Jan. 81 — State Department of Commerce has launched a program to attract more film production.
The project is headed by Gary Wetherington, who will work with producers and organizations. It was spurred by adoption of standards code by film and technician unions here, providing more flexible working arrangements.
Polanski Gets His Old Gang Back
London, Jan. 31 — Roman Polanski has his old gang back on the currently shooting "Macbeth" for Playboy Productions.
Chief among them is camera director Gilbert Taylor, editor Alas-tair Mclntyre, and production designer Wilfred Shingleton. It 's also a virtual reteaming for copro-ducer Andrew Braunsberg, with whom Polanski once planned a film called "Donner Pass."
Taylor has worked on "Repul-sion" and "Cnl de Sac," while Shingleton previously was em-ployed on "The Fearless Vampire Killers." Mclntyre has been on all of the pix made by Polanski in the West with the exception of "Rose-mary*s Baby."
Polanski isnt the first Pole to film Shakespeare's tragedy. An-drel Wajda beat him to it in 1980 with a 90-minute edition for television in Poland.
'200 Mofeb' *FM Roff With Mothers Today
London, Jan. 31 — "200 Motels" starring Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention and Theodore Bikel, will begin filming here tomorrow, Zappa directing with Tony Palmer for producers Herb Cohen and Jerry Good. United Artists will release.
Art director Cal Schenkel is working with Murakami-Wolf Productions on animation segs.
Judy In 'Playpen', To Roll In Manila
Judy Brown will star in "The Playpen," to start shooting in Manila today. A prison drama, pic Is being produced by Cirio Santiago, directed by Jerry DeLeon from an original screenplay by David Osterhout and Jim Watkins.
'Romeo-Juliet 7r Rolls Next Week For Palomar Pix
"Borneo and Juliet 1971" will be the third major pic to go into production this year for Palomar Pictures International.
Palomar prez Edgar J. Scherick said the film, an Amicus produc-tlon, will start Feb. 8 at England's Shepperton studios. d&
Mona Washbourne, currently Tip-pearing in the Broadway hit. "Home," with John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson, will star. Also headlining the cast will be Paul Nicholas, who has appeared on the stage in "Hair" and in the film "Buff," and Vanessa Howard, Eng-lish actress.
"Romeo and Juliet 1971" will be produced by Max Rosenberg and Milton Subotsky, with Sherick ex-ecutive producer. Briton Bill A n will direct.
Currently in production are "Choke Berry Bay," starring Alan Alda, Blythe Danner and Heath Lambert, "Someone to Watch Over Me," starring Bonnie Bedelia, Ken Howard and James Wainwright.
Big Amusement Park Proposed In London
London, Jan. 31 — Officials here are mulling proposals for a fjBit amusement park, possibly o n t h e order of Disneyland, to ramble over some 40 acres on the far south of town. It could cost $25,-000,000 or more to develop.
Some four different plans have been submitted to the city. Understood among those bidding for the franchise are EMI, Mecca (dance-halls, bingo parlors), and Forte-Trust Houses, the big hotel-restaurant-catering outfit.
Even if the city greenlights^ht idea, it's believed it would wil l have stiff opposition in Parliament.
'Man In Wilderness' Starts Today In Spain
Madrid, Jan. 31—Warner Bros.' "Man in the Wilderness" goes before the cameras tomorrow with Richard Harris starring. Richard Sarafian is directing Howard-Lim-bridge production from a scngn-play by Jack DeWitt. SanWrd Howard is producing, in Technicolor and Panavision.
"Man in the Wilderness" deals with the white man's first penetration of American Northwest, based on 1923 incident in which band of fur looters were slaughtered.
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