“Bollywood” has set its eyes on Guatemala
Guatemala has the possibility of becoming the scenario for new film productions of Indian cinema, and lean out in the screen of an industry worth billions of dollars and with millions of spectators. Said industry surpasses, at least in numbers, the American giant “Hollywood”. The possibility of Bollywood in Guatemala arises thanks to a discussion between the Chamber of Commerce of Guatemala, entitled “Doing Business between India and Guatemala” with entrepreneurs from that nation.
“Bollywood” is interested in integrating its upcoming film productions with locations and scenarios such as La Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlán and the ruins of Tikal in Petén; as said by Georges de la Roche, diplomatic and former Ambassador of Guatemala in India. He also indicated that due to the magnitude of the film industry and the characteristic of having many exotic productions, Guatemala presents itself as a favorable offer with its naturally beautiful scenarios.
According to statistics presented by the Indian Film Academy, Bollywood produced around a thousand films during 2016, which places it above American industry “Hollywood”, which produces on average around 400 films per year. In response to this information, Jorge Mario Chajón, director of the Guatemalan Tourism Institute, indicated that it is imperative to prepare a strategy to establish the country’s promotion as a potential source of investment.
For the protection of investors in this industry, the Guatemala Film Commission is expected to operate the next year. The purpose of said entity is to strengthen the legal certainty and regulation of fundamental matter within the industry. Among the matters that will undoubtedly be included in the proposal are the labor regulations, such as the hiring of local personnel in a percentage not less than ten percent.
Undoubtedly, as stated by Sajeev Babu Kurup – Ambassador of India in Guatemala – the excuses of distance, language and culture disappeared, and it is possible to increase the commercial activities between both countries, immersed within these, the huge productions of Bollywood filmed in Guatemala.
Jose Rosales Cano
Associate
García & Bodán
Guatemala