Greek Society of Cinematographers
Tuesday, Mar 27 2007
By Kurt Brazda
President of AAC - Austrian Association of Cinematographers.
Professor of Cinematography at : Salzburg University,
SAE Vienna, University of St. Polten, Film College Vienna.
Dear friends,
Greece is a small country like Austria, but in its significance for European history and culture it's unique. The origin of democracy in this region stimulated philosophy, science and art and the invention of the academy, where different intellectual and creative skills were educated, developed and brought together. This institution became an important root of what is called today European identity, an identity, which is a fascinating and colourful diversity. Film seems to be the best cultural expression to improve this diversity. So it should be public request in every country to offer young filmmakers a profound education, which can be done in the best way by founding a National Film Academy supplied by a sufficient budget.
The Austrian directors of photography would welcome very much a Greek Film Academy because of its enrichment for the audiovisual art of this continent.
Greek filmmakers have always given many impressing examples of their unique style. So we all are curious to see more films from Greece especially from a new generation.
At its 30th anniversary the Austrian Association of Cinematographers AAC resumed, that in our country a lot of targets wouldn't have been achieved without the effort and the activities of the several national filmmakers associations and their international connections. Political interventions mainly by the Austrian dop`s made three important aims possible: Installation of an Austrian law supporting film, negotiating a collective agreement for all employees in the Austrian film business and a collecting society, which pays royalities also to Cinematographers.
Especially in a situation of economic pressure an evident disregard of creative work and neglecting of intellectual property takes place and makes again solidarity more than necessary.
In attention to this I recommend to Greek Directors of Photography very much to join the GSC and to strengthen it with their full energy.
With my best wishes for success.
Kurt Brazda
AAC president