Yesterday, November 24, 2022, the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences (AMACC) made a worrying announcement: in the absence of financial resources, and in the midst of an unprecedented crisis, the institution will be forced to pause its activities and will postpone the call for the next Ariel awards ceremony until further notice.
As part of the announcement, the Academy issued a statement in which it accused that the country’s current administration shows no interest in culture, despite the fact that, for many years, the government was an ally of film broadcasting. Here is part of what is mentioned:
“The State, which was the motor and support of the Academy for a long time, has renounced its responsibility as the main promoter and disseminator of culture in general and cinema in particular. Priorities have changed and it seems that culture together with the seventh art are no longer.
The president of the AMACC, the actress Leticia HuijaraHe also spoke about it. He said (via):
“We are postponing the call, because, indeed, as of today, we do not have the financial viability to face all the processes that it entails. It is a postponement and we do not want to go any further, because we do not know what will happen. But what is concrete is that the call that was made regularly at the beginning of December is postponed until further notice “
Faced with this urgent call, the Mexican film community (people dedicated to acting, directing, producing and managing) has spoken out against the administration and management of resources, ensuring that, today more than ever, Mexican cinema needs support. .
Here are industry reactions to the crisis at AMACC.
Director Guillermo del Toro (Chronos) said that the national film industry is being systematically destroyed:
“The systematic destruction of Mexican Cinema and its institutions – which took decades to build – has been brutal. We survived López Portillo’s six-year term, but this is unprecedented.”
The systematic destruction of Mexican Cinema and its institutions – which took decades to build – has been brutal. We survived Lopez Portllo’s six-year term but this is unprecedented.
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 25, 2022
the mexican producer Julio Chavezmontes (PIANO) recalled the promises that were made in the middle of the current six-year term, stressing that today nothing has been done in this regard.
“Two years ago, Mario Delgado filled his mouth promising to preserve and strengthen support for Mexican cinema. Today there is no FIDECINE, and the Academy is left without resources. He just wanted the picture of him. Mexico has a great cultural wealth and politicians who do NOT understand it. How sad”.
2 years ago @mario_delgado he filled his mouth promising to preserve and strengthen support for Mexican cinema.
Today there is no FIDECINE, and the @AcademyCineMx. I just wanted the photo of her.
Mexico has a great cultural wealth and politicians who do NOT understand it. How sad. https://t.co/FB7nR3bFZB
– Julio Chavezmontes (@jchavezmontes) November 25, 2022
The director Natalia Beristain (Noise) asserted that a large part of national cinema is one that is uncomfortable and that has more educational qualities than simple spectacle. Reason why audiovisual proposals will never be well received by those in power:
“A good part of the cinema that is made in this country comes from what a petty administration would expect from the art that it subsidizes. It is a cinema that makes you uncomfortable; because there is much more pedagogy in restlessness than in the relief that the show can provide for the show’s sake. An Academy that accompanies and celebrates and promotes a cinema of this nature will never be well received by those who hold power for power’s sake. From here we accompany and celebrate the Academy, which against all odds is and has been a reference for national cinema”.
A good part of the cinema that is made in this country comes from what a petty administration would expect from the art it subsidizes. It is a cinema that makes you uncomfortable; because there is much more pedagogy in restlessness than in the relief that the show can provide for the show. An academy that 🧵👇🏻
— Natalia Beristain (@natsberistain) November 24, 2022
For his part, the actor Alfonso Herrera (The dance of the 41) said that the situation was unfortunate, shared the statement and used the hashtag #YoApoyoALaAMACC:
Regrettable.#isupportalaamac https://t.co/qWhPhqmhV9
— Alfonso Herrera (@ponchohd) November 24, 2022
Continue reading: Industry reactions to the crisis at AMACC
Similarly, the director and producer Astrid Rondero (without particular signs), mentioned that Mexican cinema represents all generations of our country:
“Sad the reality of our cinema. The Academy represents the cinema the Mexican filmmakers of yesterday, those of now and those of the future. It is unthinkable that the activities of the Academy be suspended due to the indolence of this government. #YoApoyoALaAMACC and Mexican cinema”.
Sad the reality of our cinema. The @AcademyCineMx The cinema represents the Mexican filmmakers of yesterday, those of now and those of the future. It is unthinkable that the activities of the Academy be suspended due to the indolence of this government. #isupportalaamacc and to Mexican cinema.
— Astrid Rondero (@astridrondero) November 24, 2022
The actor Joaquin Cosio (Hell) also spoke about it, highlighting that the current government does not understand culture:
“López Obrador and the 4T withdraw support for the Academy. As expected they do not understand culture or art. ignorant. There is no other word.”
Lopez Obrador @lopezobrador_ and the 4T withdraw support for the @AcademyCineMx As expected, they do not understand culture or art. ignorant. There is no other word.
— Joaquin Cosio (@cosio_joaquin) November 24, 2022
These were some of the industry reactions to the crisis at AMACC. Today, the Ministry of Culture and the IMCINE issued a statement stating that the support has not been withdrawn in more than four years. Find out more HERE.
Jose Roberto Landaverde Movie buff and music lover. I am fascinated by writing, listening, reading and commenting on everything related to the seventh art. I’m a fan of Rocky and Back to the Future and obviously one day I’ll climb the “Philly Steps” and drive a DeLorean. Faithful believer that cinema is the best teleportation machine, and also that on the big screen we can all see ourselves represented. I constantly, like Scott Pilgrim, ask myself: “Does bread make you fat?”