The Iraqi Cinema and Theater Department, Biggest Theatrical producer, decided to cancel the system of joint production, which was implemented for more than eight years, according to the Arabic UAE daily Al Bayan.
The department decided to return to the old system whereby it covers the cost of its plays directly.
The joint production between the government represented by the Cinema and Theater Department and the private sector represented by producers has spread due to the dependence of the Iraqi government on what was described as “auto financing” during the years of siege on the country.
The Cinema and Theater Department used to produce its works directly, and then it involved other producers in these works, which were bitterly, blasted by the local press and some Iraqi prominent play directors due to “the abnormal practices which accompanied this type of arrangement.”
The critics accused some producers of seeking financial gains even at the expense of innovative thoughts and creative social topics, which should be included in the plays they participated in their production. Also, what they described, as “the phenomenon of Gypsy dancing” emerged during the time of these producers in addition to their use of “cheap means to introduce new faces” which the theater symbols considered as “harming the leading Iraqi theater.”
The Cinema and Theater Department, which used to lease its largest hall for the producers, said that it wouldn’t renew the lease and would halt the shows being staged now as soon as the agreement with the producers expires. It also reiterated that it would alone produce its pop comedy works, which the producers specialized in over the past few years.
However, the joint production included the pop plays only without any serious plays. This was due to the fact that the latter do not generate financial revenues as the former ones do. The play actors and directors have constantly been complaining of low pay and exploitation by the producers – Albawaba.com
