The Phnom Penh Post reports that new data collected by the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts indicates that the number of Cambodian companies producing films and karaoke albums has fallen more than 75 percent since mid-2008, a trend attributed to increasingly widespread piracy and the world economic crisis.
Sin Chanchhaya, director of the Cinema and Cultural Diffusion Department in the Ministry, said there were 67 film and karaoke production companies registered in Cambodia last year. The most recent survey revealed that only 15 companies remain—11 karaoke production companies and four film companies.
"Our film industry is on its last breath," Sin Chanchhaya reportedly said. "Most producers have been forced to shut down, and cinemas almost no longer exist."
In addition to rampant piracy and the economic downturn, he said, low-quality products and steep prices for Cambodian films had contributed to "the collapse of the industry.”
Hvay Sam Ang, owner of Nice Star Productions, a Phnom Penh-based production company, said he stopped producing films last year because of the decline in consumer demand. "In my opinion, our film industry has nearly died because of piracy and the current economic slump,” he observed. “So how can we continue production?"
Sin Chanchhaya, director of the Cinema and Cultural Diffusion Department in the Ministry, said there were 67 film and karaoke production companies registered in Cambodia last year. The most recent survey revealed that only 15 companies remain—11 karaoke production companies and four film companies.
"Our film industry is on its last breath," Sin Chanchhaya reportedly said. "Most producers have been forced to shut down, and cinemas almost no longer exist."
In addition to rampant piracy and the economic downturn, he said, low-quality products and steep prices for Cambodian films had contributed to "the collapse of the industry.”
Hvay Sam Ang, owner of Nice Star Productions, a Phnom Penh-based production company, said he stopped producing films last year because of the decline in consumer demand. "In my opinion, our film industry has nearly died because of piracy and the current economic slump,” he observed. “So how can we continue production?"
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