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Bollywood going digital overseas

Digital Cinema for Bollywood overseas is not likely to be a distant dream any more in the key markets. In the US, it is almost underway while in the UK, it is expected to garner momentum shortly.

Digital Cinema for Bollywood overseas is not likely to be a distant dream any more in the key markets. In the US, it is almost underway while in the UK, it is expected to garner momentum shortly.

Cinema Expo 2007 opened with a bang as news spread around the show that one of the major roadblocks to the expansion of digital cinema across Europe had been lifted.

Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Pictures Intl and European digital film distribution services outfit, Arts Alliance Media have reached virtual print fee agreements, which could quite easily accelerate digital cinema deployment across Europe. Let?s wait and watch!

Pirated films

In most cases, the first lot of pirated DVDs that appear in the market a day after the release are from movie prints that have been shot on the mobile or through secret camcorders. Days later, a new set of DVDs flood the market with a sparklingly clear print of the film, usually one from north India or certain Southeast Asian countries.

Interestingly, Canada has taken the first step in banning camcording in cinemas. The anti-camcording legislation was enacted into law making it a criminal offense to videotape movies in local cinemas without authorisation.

In India unfortunately, camcording is prohibited but not punishable?to the best of my knowledge, as a result of which pirates have a field day doing what they need to do. Given the rapid decline of the Indian entertainment market on the home turf and overseas, a stringent law like the one Canada has passed is the need of the hour for starters.

Sequels & hype

Reviews to Hollywood sequels have not been particularly heartening but the enormous hype for these theatrical outings makes them sail through. Shrek, the adorable green ogre continued to dominate worldwide box-office during the weekend as the third in the series finished top of the charts overall with an estimated take of $48.6 million from 5,737 screens in 45 markets.

New releases

In Bollywood this week, the battle-royale unveils between the three A?s?Awarapan, Aap Ka Surroor and Apne. Clocking at three hours, Apne boasts of the biggest star-cast relative to competition?never mind the director?s two disappointing releases before this. The performance of Aap Ka Surroor will establish the results of expensive in-your-face advertising for a composer-turned-actor, while Awarapan, the Bhatts? biggest venture, will be an acid test for their music and also give them their much-awaited in-road into the international market theatrically.

Willis conquers

After all these years, Bruce Willis at the London premiere of Live Free or Die Hard looked mesmerising as ever. There happens to be a lot of excitement and media buzz around this one and the result will be out soon.

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First published on: 26-06-2007 at 00:00 IST
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