Macao cinema, it's more than festivals

By Junny, Zhu Ni

"We've got nothing else except money," claimed Ian Leung, a
local filmmaker and critic, when he commented on the current
resources available for Macao cinema.

A variety of festivals and activities organized by government
organizations are held every year, such as the Macao
International Film and Video Festival, Local Docu Power, and
Macao Indies. Although the government spent a huge amount
of money in organizing film festivals and competitions, Macao
cinemas as a creative industry still lag behind despite all those
activities which are intended to boost films made in Macao.

Filmmaking was an integrated production based on the
accumulation of historical knowledge, culture and education
of the whole region, Leung explained. And the government
usually played a crucial role in the development of the film
industry.

According to Leung, although the Macao government is
quite generous in spending on film festivals, its policies on
the cultivation of the local film industry are short-sighted and
inadequate. The government lacks a long-term perspective
on the development of local filmmaking. There had been no
specific and clear objective and strategy until April 2010 when
the Advisory Council for Cultural Industries was established.
"The government must understand that the development of
cultural and creative industries is a long-term investment and
commitment," said Leung. "There is no quick success and
instant benefits."

"Talented people are an important factor to the growth of the
film industry, and nowadays some Macao people are studying
films overseas. Hopefully they would return to Macao for
further career development and help boost the Macao cinema,"
said Albert Chu, who is the first person in Macao to make
a motion picture. An education institution specialized in
creative media including the film industry is necessary for
the healthy development of Macao cinema. Theoretical film
studies and practical production should be stressed equally so
as to cultivate qualified filmmakers. And Chu is optimistic that
those qualified experts would come back to Macao when they
graduate if professional opportunities are provided because he
thinks Macao is a nice place to live.

Leung pointed out that there were only three cinemas in
Macao, and professional equipment could be borrowed from
nowhere, which was a drawback to the future cooperation
and communication between local filmmakers and those from
abroad. Therefore more cinema venues and a center which
provides fundamental facilities and equipment should be
established. A friendly film viewing atmosphere and habitat
are important if Macao cinema wants to make profit in the
market.

Lastly and most importantly, the government should pay more
attention to the viewpoints raised by social organizations in
the field and the activities they host. According to Leung,
who is also an administrator in Associação Audio-Visual Cut,
the government does not care about what activities the local
non-profit organizations hold and how they make use of the
funds from the government. Understanding and cooperation
between the government and local social organizations are
essential to the development of Macao cinema.