I know we’re not a political blog and it seems harsh, considering what the Greeks are facing at the moment, that I’m focusing on whether one of Rob’s films will be released this year or not, but I was reading this Screen Daily article on the bus this morning and noticed that it mentioned that Queen of the Desert was slated for a release in Greece between August and December 2015.  I guess it’s just a waiting game now to see what unfolds when Greece’s Parliament makes a decision on whether to go forward with the latest bail out offered to them.  I’ll keep you posted film wise – not so much political.
“Distributors cancel releases
The steep decline in admissions and uncertainty over the country’s future forced distributors to cancel a number of releases due to open just before the referendum.
Panagiotides pointed out that while contracts for films opening between now and mid-August have already been paid, the real problem will start showing up after that date.
Contractual payments due on films set to launch after August 15 have to be made at the end of July or early August.
Renegotiations
If the country is forced (or chooses) to leave the Eurozone and re-introduce a hugely devaluated drachma, Greek distributors are likely to be forced to ask for renegotiations from international sale agents.
Films due to premiere between mid-August and the end of the year include Woody Allen’s Irrational Man and Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight (Odeon), Sleeping With Other People and Queen Of The Desert (Spentzos), Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Taxi and Farewell Party (Feelgood), The Man From U.N.C.L.E (Tanweer), Standing Tall (Rosebud 21) and Return To Ithaca (Strada). [My emphasis]
More than 300 films are released in Greece every year. Many in the local industry feel that’s too many for such a small market, with another outcome of the economic crisis likely to be a reduction in future acquisitions by local distributors.
Waiving commissions considered
It remains to be seen how international sales agents react to Greek distributor pleas to renegotiate their contacts, although when ScreenDaily spoke to Celluloid Dreams’ Hengameh Panahi at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, she indicated she would be attentive to such requests.
Panahi added that she would consider waiving her own sales commissions as well as speaking to the producers of the films she represents about accepting renegotiation of contracts.”
Click on link above to read full article.
Dear Maria. I do hope no one was offended with my little Rob ditty, I know in this world we now live in the most innocent of ditty’s are deemed not acceptable. Rob is a funny guy who finds humour in so much, being a pom which I am we find humour in so many things especially those who are oh so serious and very PC . The constipated club I am sure would
love laughter to be banished .So I do hope I did not upset or sound like I was making fun of Rob. As most of us who adore and respect him we have all noticed in interviews that some of the “hosts” just do not get his humour so he plays around with the answers he gives and has them in a twist.
LOL @Barbara your ditty did not offend. Just don’t get a chance of late to respond to all comments 🙂 And we’ve grown up with English humour so believe me when I say no offence is taken and I love Rob’s sarcasm.
@Maria. Thankyou I can breathe easy now. xxxxx
I do hope something can be arranged to get at least some of these movies shown in Greece. Although I understand it is a business, and business is not good there, this is the best time for a bit of escapism that movies provide.
@Barbara – Offend? I haven’t read your ditty yet but I’m looking forward to finding it as I go back through the week.