Mozambican directors outraged at obligation to previously share script to obtain filming permits

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Mozambican directors outraged at obligation to previously share script to obtain filming permits

12:33 CAT | 08 Sep 2017

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Mozambican filmmakers object to demands to present the script of their films in order to obtain filming permits issued by the National Institute of Audiovisual and Cinema (INAC), as presented in the Audiovisual and Cinema Law no. 1/2017, of 6 January, a seminar on which was held in Maputo yesterday.

At the meeting, the filmmakers claimed that this article is an attempt to censor their work, and that if the script does not please those issuing the permit, they will be declined.

Furthermore, the filmmakers argue that “spreading” the script is not always feasible, since in many cases, it is intended to remain confidential, circulating strictly within the production team.

“I do not agree with having to send my script to an entity in order to obtain a permit,” director João Ribeiro said. Such an obligation constituted an attack on his and his colleagues work, and could “castrate” their freedom of creation, he said.

He also noted that scripts were changed many times during production, so sharing them would be meaningless anyway.

Filmmaker Sérgio Libilio said that this regulation constituted an attack on the artist’s spirit.

“It was with great sadness that I learned of this obligation, which wounds the soul of the artist. I do not believe that any filmmaker will agree with it,” he said.

Pyrothecnics and pornography

Director of the National Institute of Audiovisual and Cinema Djalma Lourenço denied that any kind of censorship was intended.

“The goal is not to censor anyone’s work. And the day we have any censorship, feel free to denounce it publicly. The intention is to regulate films that require pyrotechnics and address the issue of pornography,” he said.

The sole intention was to liaise with other state institutions on some matters. For example, in the case of pyrotechnics, assistance from the Ministry of Interior and the National Public Security Service would be required.

Law can only be applied

However, Jorge de Oliveira, a lawyer who accompanied the 12 years of discussion and production of this law, noted that this clause was suggested by the filmmakers and already being in the law it can only be applied.

The event was attended by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Silva Dunduro, director of INAC, Djalma Lourenço, and several filmmakers, among other individuals.

Source: Notícias