TEHRAN – The Swedish-speaking Finnish cineaste Jorn Donner who is most famous for his collaboration as a producer in Ingmar Bergman’s films such as “Fanny and Alexander” says that good filmmakers are able to eliminate the borders between people by means of their films that make an important impression outside their national boundaries. He made […]
TEHRAN – The Swedish-speaking Finnish cineaste Jorn Donner who is most famous for his collaboration as a producer in Ingmar Bergman’s films such as “Fanny and Alexander” says that good filmmakers are able to eliminate the borders between people by means of their films that make an important impression outside their national boundaries.
He made the remarks in a press conference held at Tehran’s Charsu Cineplex on Friday just one day after his workshop, which was organized by the 36th Fajr International Film Festival.
“The better the films are, the easier they can cross the borders and be shown in the world, but that is not an easy thing to do,” said Donner who is the founder of the Finnish Film Archive, which was later renamed the National Audiovisual Archive.
“Fewer people go to watch films in cinemas than before because of television, and that distribution on the internet is so widespread, but we still must remember that the basis of all filmmaking and all artistic activities is the freedom of expression,” he said.
He also noted that he believes filmmaking is very hard, although he has made and produced many films.
Elsewhere in his remarks, he referred to men’s dominance over the world’s film industry and said that more female filmmakers should join the industry.
Donner next answered a few questions put to him by journalists.
Asked about the appearance of big film companies that are eager to cooperate with small countries, he replied, “The only thing I know is that there are several companies that are competing in this field. I think those companies are more anxious to get into the European market and not the whole film market. I still say we have to find money for our films from public sources or private sectors, or from our own companies; not from the big American companies.”
Elsewhere, Donner said that he does not know Iranian cinema very well and he is here to get to know more about it through the festival.
