29 April, 2008 - Bhutanese film producers say that the biggest bottlenecks for the rapidly evolving local film industry are a lack of venues to screen productions and screening restrictions in the districts.
With just one cinema hall in the capital (the Chang Jiji hall is nearing completion) and one each in the major towns of Paro, Phuentsholing, Samdrupjongkhar and Gelephu, producers have to wait for months to screen movies. Thimphu is the best place to screen as it allows a recovery of 60 percent of investments.
In 2006, when film making in the country was at a peak, 22 films were produced and 1,100 people directly benefitted from the film industry. This year, production has shrunk to eight films and just 112 people are directly involved in the business.
Film producers say filmmaking has a huge market for employment and the same potency to sustain culture and language. “People are getting laid off and it’s disheartening to see a lot them loitering the streets,” said Dorji Wangchuk of Chenzig media.
The motion pictures chairman, Sherub Gyeltshen, said that the government should look into and support the crumbling Bhutanese film industry. Presently, there are 78 registered members, with the motion pictures association of Bhutan (MPAB). There are also 14 production houses allied with 12 recording studios.
Starting from the first film, Gasa Lamai Singye, in 1988, a total of 112 films and 370 music albums have been produced so far.
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