Greek cinema as European cinema: co-productions, Eurimages and the Europeanisation of Greek cinema

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe article examines the extent to which Greek cinema has engaged with European co-productions and identifies the ways in which these have changed its production culture, as well as, indirectly, its form, content and mode of address. While mainly focusing on the 2010s, it also offers a historical account of co-production practices in Greece, especially since the establishment of Eurimages in 1989. It argues that the intensification of co-production activity that has become more evident in the last few years has been the result of a number of factors, including the continuing impact of European institutional frameworks, the reduction of national funds towards cinema, the emergence of a number of new producers trained in building co-productions and the critical success of a number of Greek films in prestigious festivals. The analysis draws on film studies, media industry and film policy studies as it aims to reveal the ways in which both Europe-wide and localised social, financial and professional conditions have affected the production culture in Greece, especially with regard to art/quality cinema, leading to the increased ‘Europeanisation’ of Greek cinema.