No films in 2009?

"Strike action, often simply called a strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal by employees to perform work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances." Thus spoke Wikipedia.

The Finnish producers have stated today that if they will not get more governmental funding – since the financial support has remained the same for a decade or so but production costs have expanded – they will refuse to finish the newest films, due to be released in 2008–2009.

According to the producers they have been promised the increase, while Minister of Culture, Stefan Wallin is denying this.



Very brave but risky tactics. And there is a good reason behind it.

But it's risky. See. If a cleaning ladies, or people who collect the trash, stopped working, the whole society would break down.

If the elderly ladies who take care of both the museums and toilets stopped working in Russia, the Kremlin would collapse in days. All the artefacts would be stolen and Moscow would drown in pee.

But when the Finnish film producers stop, the results are not to be seen in 2009!

Still, I do wish them luck!

Film producers attack the funding of the Finnish National Opera. One opera ticket is supported with much bigger amounts of money compared to the film tickets. (20 times more, an opera ticket is supported with 160 euros, the producers say.) And I am not that much into opera. I mean, I like opera music, I really do, but why does that overrated institution have to be so heavy and expensive? Is some kind of a smaller scale opera an impossibility?

Please don't give me that "the money to the opera is not film industry's loss". Yes, the money is tax payers' money. ANY money spent ANYWHERE is someone else's loss. Different goals where to use money can and should be at times put to the same line for closer look.

Opera is not that Finnish or anything as an institution that I'd say it definitely must be supported, no matter what. (We have some great singers, sure.)



And the Opera building is ugly. Never skip that. (I liked the old, little place much better. But I have heard, in several occasions, that it was a nightmare for the artists who Worked there.)

Keep remembering it ain't over until the fat lady sings.

BTW. Did you know that it is also illegal for an employee of the United States Federal Government to strike. Interesting. So the Federal Government must be a trustworthy employer then?