The “HyeFilm” studio has already started carrying out activities after privatization. Let’s recall that during the privatization contest, which took place in August, “ARMENIA TV studios” joint-stock company became owner of “HyeFilm” on behalf of the Cafesjian fund. The film studio has been named “CS Films”. Director of “HyeFilm” Gevorg Gevorgyan explained this by the law: “The new owner of the privatizing organization does not have the right to use the old name for two years”. According to G. Gevorgyan, the Cafesjian fund has also bought the logo and the name, but the studio will once again be called “HyeFilm” after two years.
During the past week, the Cafesjian fund has ended all state registration for privatization and has made all the payments. “Basically, “HyeFilm” studios is going to turn into a super modern film studio with help of the project implemented by the privatizing organization,” says G. Gevorgyan and he promises to prove that the film studio can be privatized and still “reach its goals” in Armenia. We all understand that no matter how much the director and the people want the same thing, however, the Cafesjian family makes the decisions. The budget financing for the film studio is going to be provided by the fund. According to G. Gevorgyan, in 2006, approximately 260 million drams will be provided for artistic film production and 120 million drams for cartoon films. All financed projects will be implemented with the technical equipment of the film studio.
What happened during these past couple of months? After the “HyeFilm” privatization, it was clear that Armenia’s rich film archives could not be found in Armenia. Until 1995-1996, all films produced have been kept in the state film library of Moscow. There is a decision according to which all films will be considered “Soviet enrichment” and are not provided to any state. Original negatives are needed in order to digitalize and preserve the films. In G. Gevorgyan’s words, out of all the CIS countries, only Armenia has signed a contract during the past three months according to which all the Armenian film samples have been granted the right to be transferred to Armenia and be digitalized. As a matter of fact, G. Gevorgyan did not hide the fact that that was done thanks to his personal contacts. In accordance with the investment project, super modern technological equipment worth millions of dollars must be purchased in order to digitalize the films. It is foreseen to transfer the equipment to Armenia no later than May-June 2006. However, according to G. Gevorgyan, the “Da Vinci” digitalization and restoration system only for the CIS countries will be in Armenia in January-February after the 3 month long negotiations. The “Da Vinci” system will let specialists fix the color of all Armenian films taped from 1924 until today, as well as covering damages, bad quality of film, etc. ““HyeFilm” will show the newly digitalized film after each digitalization in order to give society the opportunity to enjoy their beloved films, the heroes, and see how our talented Armenian actors play their roles in the new films with light and color. Then these unique digitalized samples will be preserved for generations to come,” says G. Gevorgyan. Specialists from the “Da Vinci” company will visit Armenia in January and they will organize seminars with Armenian workers and train them to digitalize the films; they will also install the equipment and will start the digitalization process.
“HyeFilm” has also signed a contract with the world famous “Thomson” company. During the first three months of the upcoming year, the company will provide the film studio with new cameras and other necessary equipment. For the first time in the history of the film studio, specialists will have the opportunity to digitalize films and film new ones at the same time. The architectural brand name company in New York has already begun calculating the expenses needed to be made for renovating the buildings and studios of “HyeFilm”. Construction will begin in spring 2006.
G. Gevorgyan assured that the studio will have results by the end of 2006. Next year, the Armenian film studio will start to produce the film “40 days of Musa Ler” along with Ireland, Germany, England and Armenia and 99% of filmings will take place in Armenia. The budget for the film is 35 million dollars. According to G. Gevorgyan, director Albert Mkrtchyan is currently working on the scenario of the new film and it will be shown on the big screen during next year.
G. Gevorgyan is certain that the most important thing for the new owners of “HyeFilm” is the development of Armenian films. With that in mind, “CS Films” is going to set up an artistic council which is going to consist of the top specialists in Armenia, people working in the film industry and famous cultural figures. However, G. Gevorgyan did state the fact that it is too early to mention any names.
As for the “HyeFilm” staff, starting from October 12, the 167 workers at the studio are considered the staff of “CS Films” and they have received their three months pay yesterday. G. Gevorgyan informed us that there will no be change in salary until January 12. The janitor and the director receive the least amount as stated in the contract, which is 50,000 dram. Only after January will private specialists be paid different amounts.