MONTRÉAL — La Société professionnelle des auteurs et des compositeurs du Québec (SPACQ) released a statement today saying it deplores what it calls Radio-Canada’s “incomprehensible decision” to no longer broadcast the Gala Québec Cinéma on ICI Télé.
Radio-Canada announced its decision on Monday in a press release, saying it informed the management of Québec Cinéma of the possibility last June during a meeting following the last Gala.
“After careful consideration, we came to the conclusion that other strategies could allow us to more effectively increase the visibility of local films and artists,” reads an English translation of Radio-Canada’s press release.
Radio-Canada’s intention is to offer its own special variety show and interviews next year “at the most opportune moment to contribute to the promotion of local cinema and to give the public an even greater desire to see the films,” the translation says.
The public broadcaster will also celebrate cinema on the program Bonsoir bonsoir! hosted by Jean-Philippe Wauthier, according to a concept to be determined in the spring, the release says.
Reacting to Radio-Canada’s decision, SPACQ expressed “its deep incomprehension and discomfort with this decision, which comes at the least opportune moment,” according to a translation of the organization’s statement.
“Indeed, at a time when the local film industry is struggling to recover from the consequences of the pandemic and is facing major challenges such as a labour shortage, attendance that has not returned to its pre-health crisis level, and competition from international streaming platforms, it is difficult to understand why a Canadian public broadcaster, whose core mandate is to promote regional and cultural diversity and contribute to the development of home talent and culture, would decide to withdraw from one of the few showcases offered to our cinema,” SPACQ’s translated release says.
SPACQ said it believes Radio-Canada’s decision is all the more inappropriate since the Gala Québec Cinéma will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year.
“Radio-Canada could not have made such a decision at a worse time. A 25th anniversary is a symbolic moment for a gala and it should be, under the circumstances, a great opportunity to stimulate an industrial revival and invite the public to reconnect with our cinema. It is particularly dramatic for our members who compose music for the screen, who usually work in the shadows and only benefit from visibility on very rare occasions,” said Alexandre Alonso, executive director of SPACQ, in the organization’s release.
“It is also very worrisome to see our Canadian public broadcaster make such a decision, when only a few days ago Minister Pablo Rodriguez announced in Montréal the second phase of a $60 million resiliency fund aimed at maintaining our skilled workers in the cultural sector, and when Bill C-11, concerning the modernization of our broadcasting legislative framework, is currently before the Senate to regulate the activities of digital platforms. We are very concerned about the message this sends and the long-term consequences for our cinema,” Alonso added.
SPACQ said it hopes Radio-Canada will reconsider its decision and maintain its commitment on the occasion of the Gala’s 25th anniversary.
It concluded its statement by reiterating its support for the Gala Québec Cinéma, “which is an essential showcase for our culture, our films, our artists, our artisans, our technicians and all our professionals in the film industry,” it says.
