Ninety three per cent of the nation's cinemas, or about 3,770 venues, were shut on Monday, according to the Spanish news agency EFE, with an income loss estimated at one million euros (£675,000).
In Madrid and Andalucia 95% of venues were closed, followed by Catalonia with 90%. Other regions were not far behind, with 88% of cinemas in Galicia and the Balearic islands closed down.
The Federation of Spanish Cinemas is protesting over a planned law that would force exhibitors to screen at least one Spanish or European film for every four shown. The organisation claims that "a cinema where a Spanish film is shown is an empty cinema, which means a financial loss for us".
"Spanish cinema does not interest filmgoers," it said.
The federation wants the bill to be pulled or for cinemas to receive financial compensation for the loss of income. The government argues that the law would provide a crucial boost for homegrown movies. "We are making this law to support our cinema industry," said culture minister Carmen Calvo. "This measure is similar to other measures used in European countries to support their cinema industries."
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Date Published: June 19, 2007
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