Minister of Culture Eric Thill meets the film industry in Cannes

« Being represented as a small Luxembourg at the film festival in Cannes is like we are in football at the World Cup, » says Eric Thill (DP), describing the importance of the Luxembourg presence at one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. A comparison that may sound a bit strange, but is not that wrong.

It is the second time that Eric Thill, the one in the past few weeks Mudam debates In media criticism, in his position as Minister of Culture, traveling to the Croisette. The reason: the traditional Luxembourg day at the film festival.

A high for Luxembourg

While on Saturday morning near the festival site, a palm tree overturned by a gust of wind and a man seriously injuredthe representatives of the local film industry came far behind the barrier, in the so -called « Village International », in the Luxembourg pavilion on the beach.

A moment that does not work without gratings and something (own) praise, but is all the more elementary for the sector. And as Guy Daleiden emphasized in his short speech: “When we (The Luxembourg film industry, editor’s note) We don’t exist here. « 

Because the Luxembourg Day in Cannes – and also at other festivals – primarily serves networking and is simply essential. After all, the industry is constantly developing, it grows and every year more or less new faces appear there.

For example, this year’s scholarship holders of the film, the actress and director Gintaré Parulyté, the actress Sarah Lamesch, director Hannah Bales and the director Ganaël Dumreich. This did not miss the opportunity to swim with the state -owned flag for the small rock formation compared to the pavilion and place it there. A custom that has been in Cannes for years.

Attacks on European film

Guy Daleiden, the director of the film, has also been coming to Cannes for over 25 years. In the course of time, he has not missed changes in the festival. « Cannes, for example, open up to new genres, think about the immersive pavilion, » said Daleiden in an interview with the « Luxembourg word ».

« Unfortunately, however, we have to find out that some things, for example at meetings and discussions, become a topic again: And these are the attacks on culture, on the European cinema. » The film finding director thus refers to Donald Trump’s announcement that it was produced by films produced outside the USA with a 100 percent customs.

A positive change for this is the increased Luxembourg presence. This year, too, the Grand Duchy is again with several films in the official selection of the festival. « Nobody spoke about Luxembourg in the past. Today it is very different, that is not only noticeable in the international press, but we also see that at meetings and meetings, » says Daleiden.

And the mission of the film is just to establish contact with other countries and to build partnerships. « The next production agreement, which is available for signing, is with Iceland. »

Can the Luxembourg film be definable?

When asked how to define the Luxembourg films and whether the Luxembourg film really exists, Guy Daleiden replies: « The question is: What or who is a real Luxembourg? And with the film it is the same. For me, a Luxembourg film is a production that is created with Luxembourg know-how. Even if only small parts of a production in the Grand Duchy have arisen. »

This applies to the various professions in the industry: actors, technicians, producers. « Luxembourg must be at least ten percent of the budget for a production so that it also receives the Luxembourg nationality. But all films that are created with the help of the Grand Duchy are Luxembourg’s works. »

Of course, the goal is to realize productions that are largely Luxembourgish, but you still need partners. « If we do not invest in minority Luxembourg Productions, we cannot do any majoritarians either. » And finally it should not be forgotten that there is also a lot of Luxembourg participation behind the camera, which, on the contrary, the actors are unfortunately not so visible. « But this work also ensures that some parts of films are Luxembourgish. »

New partnerships in view?

For Eric Thill, who can snap film festival air for two short days, Cannes is about much more than just visiting the Luxembourg pavilion. Meeting with cultural ministers from partner countries such as France or with Alain Berset, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and yes, even a film, « Nouvelle Vague » by Richard Linklater, are on the program.

« It is about continuing to maintain and expand existing partnerships between Luxembourg and other countries. They are uncertain times – even for the film. And that’s why it seems important to me that I am on site as a minister, » emphasizes Thill, who stopped by several pavilions early Saturday morning.

At the same time, you try to close new partnerships and thus open different doors. So far, the Minister of Culture does not want to reveal what possible countries.

Further expand the marketing of the films

Partnerships with other countries, be it new or existing, are of enormous importance. But then the question still remains: How do you do a doctorate (co-) productions, in such a way that your own national people also get wind of it and are interested in it?

According to Eric Thill, there is still room for improvement in terms of visibility. It is all the more important to him to bring (co-) produced works, such as the VR film « Ot’s Planet », which was awarded international prizes, to the Grand Duchy, such as this year during the luxury festival. « So that people also know what happens to what is invested by the money, what is invested by the film Fund. »

In general, however, when preparing the budget for the coming year, one would think about how the marketing of Luxembourg films could be further expanded.