Pokemon and Mononoke

[Udo Helms]

	To add to the distribution controversy concerning Mononokehime: As far as 
European distribution is concerned, I think it`s fair to argue that such a 
hold-back policy on the side of Buena Vista exists. But it does not stem 
from any jealousy, but the shunning of profit risks. Buena Vista profits 
from investing in local film markets, thereby ensuring international 
distribution and marketing tie-ins in case of domestic B.O. success (i.e. 
the German film "Beyond Silence"). When handling Japanese films, only a 
successful run in U.S. theatres guarantees, if not enables a European 
release, as was the case with "Shall we dance", which was released in Europe 
last summer after its B.O. success in the States. Therefore, chances for a 
European release of Mononoke are grim.

	To be fair: Buena Vista definitely planned a large-scale release, for it 
was them who brought "Mononoke" to 1998`s Berlin Film Festival as a "Special 
Screening". Before and after the Festival, Mononoke was constantly listed as 
one of Buena Vista`s future releases in Germany by industry magazines, 
opting for a date later that year. BV Germany was however not satisfied with 
the less-than-enthusiastic public and press reaction (Miyazaki was addressed 
as "the creator of Heidi" by one particularly moronic press person). They 
were the only distrib representatives who asked theatres and festival for 
audience figures, indicating the high interest they had in this film. So I 
guess that the problem is more that the people at BV have more interest in 
profit than bringing the most succesful Japanese film ever to European 
theatres.

Udo Helms

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