Argentine actress Cecilia Roth has denounced the dismantling of Argentina’s cultural industry, pointing the finger firmly at the economic policies of President Javier Milei.
Roth, 67, also slammed the libertarian leader's discourse that seeks to dismiss artists as “parasites of the State."
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, a day before she is due to be honoured with a Platino de Honor at the Platino Awards recognising the Ibero-American audiovisual industry, Roth regretted the situation in Argentina.
She said is it becoming “very difficult” to produce films and culture in her homeland.
“They’re dismantling everything related to culture in general and cinema in particular, I want people to know this in Latin America and Spain. Somehow it’s also a cry for help,” said the veteran actor.
Roth said it was necessary to get the attention of the public and underline the difficulties facing the cultural industries. Maybe in 2025, there would no be Argentine productions at international festivals, due to budgetary cuts, she pondered.
Both the cinema industry, and the wider cultural industries as a whole, "turn a profit" for Argentina and do not rely solely on support from the state, she argued.
“That’s the idea being consolidated in people, that all of us who are a part of it. All of us making films or linked to culture are parasites of the state,'" the actress warned. “We have to change this cruel and unjust idea.”
Roth, one of the muses of celebrated Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, called on the artistic community to "actively" resist and defend the arts.
“We have built, with plenty of struggle, an industry which has not yet been installed solidly, which is why a strong wind such as the one blowing right now in Argentina can hit the industry,” Roth reflected.
The Platino Awards gala, which takes place at the Gran Tlachco Theatre, in Parque Xcaret, Riviera Maya, Mexico, is being closely watched this year.
The favourite to top the prize-list is Spain's La sociedad de la nieve ("Society of Snow"),” a massive streaming hit online, which is nominated for seven awards, including best picture, director and actor.
With six nominations each, gloomy Chilean comedy El conde ("The count"),” directed by Pablo Larraín, and Cerrar los ojos ("Close your eyes),” a co-production between Argentina and Spain directed by Spanish filmmaker Víctor Erice, are also strong contenders.
– TIMES/AFP
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