Korea's Protect Screen Quota Day

[Michael Raine]

Just a quick response to an extremely complex question (the "need" for
domestic film protection etc): we also have to factor in foreign exchange
controls that US studios complained about in the late 1950s. I hope that
someone some day explores the cartel-like structure of the Japanese film
industry -- the relations between vertically integrated studios that were
also heavily involved in the distribution of foreign film. Someone once
told me that the exhibition chains still get together and decide in what
order to release US films. It's called the "Nihon eiga (nantoka) kankyo
kai" or something: has anyone heard of this?

Michael


At 03:08 PM 12/2/98 +0900, you wrote:
>>Upon reading this, I suddenly realized that I know far more about the
>>history of federal domestic film protection in the Korean context. I'm
>>basically ignorant of Japanese import policy. Does anyone know if there
>>even IS one?
>
>No, there is not, and at least until the late 1980s, when foreign films 
>finally overtook domestic films, there probably was not much a need for 
>one.  There were restrictions, of course, under the 1939 Film Law, but 
>the postwar government's position towards film has been largely laissez 
>faire.  Alternatives have been bandied about, but none have gone too far. 
> If anyone knows more, I'd like to hear it.
>
>Aaron Gerow
>Yokohama National University
>KineJapan list owner
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