While rain may have dampened spirits, and hems, at the BAFTAS this week, high tension and public disagreements were the order of the day at the Spanish edition of film awards, the GOYAS, held on the same night.
Alex de la Iglesia, who has resigned as President of the Film Society in protest against Sinde’s Law, hosted the event in his final act at the helm. He is at loggerheads with the Minister of Culture, Angeles Gonzalez Sinde, after whom the law is named, and who was guest of honour at the star studded event.
Despite the Minister’s obvious discomfort the outgoing President, who received two awards himself, took his opportunity to explain his opposition to the new law on “illegal” Internet downloads, which passed through Congress yesterday (Monday) and is expected to take effect by the summer.
“The Internet is not the future it is the present,” he exclaimed, “and is the preferred medium for people to access culture…..It will be the salvation of the film industry through distribution online but with payment.”
Iglesia, who met with surfers organization and Internet users following a massive cyber protest against Sinde’s Law, says he is optimistic the Government can reach a “good understanding” with the groups. He says: Clearly there is a solution: it’s possible with agreement and dialogue.”
The Minister, however, remains unrepentant. Relations were frosty to say the least at the Award Ceremony and afterwards, in response to the director’s comments, she said: “This law will put a brake on illegal downloading from the Internet, of which 70% are films.”
Sinde’s law was passed, both in the Senate and at Congress, after the governing PSOE reached an agreement with the opposition PP on a watered down version and the first website closures are expected in the summer.
Photo: Minister of Culture listens to the President’s discourse at the Goyas.
