04/04/2003 - Culture Minister refuses to bow to EU edict

France and the European Union are out of step with regards to film advertising on television. According to a decree passed in 1992, it is not possible to purchase TV advertising slots to publicise films, something that is permitted in the rest of the EU. However it appears that a solution that satisfies both parties was reached after the 2 April meeting in Brussels between French culture minister Jean-Jacques Aillagon and European Internal Market Commissioner Fritz Bolkenstein.
Whilst maintaining the veto that he said was necessary to protect “cultural diversity and pluralism”, Aillagon said he was in favour of a gradual implementation with regards to distribution and number of prints in circulation.

French film industry representatives – with the sole exception of the Pathé Group – supported the Minister’s position. ARP, who represent directors, writers and producers, gave Aillagon their unconditional support in a press release issued on 3 April in which they express “deregulation ignores the characteristics of the cultural sector and the interests of European creativity, and favours greater industry concentrations that damage independent producers and distributors.”
ARP took as a role model the home video market which does resort to TV advertising, but is dominated by Hollywood productions, and urged Aillagon to stand firm and “defend the instruments of creativity that allow French cinema to be a leader in Europe”.

(Translated from French)