Raymond Zhou: Montreal Journal, August 29

Updated: 2013-08-30 13:40

By Raymond Zhou (chinadaily.com.cn)

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Raymond Zhou: Montreal Journal, August 29

A street in the Latin Quarter with its bohemian look and feel. Photo by Raymond Zhou for China Daily

Quebec

also co-produces with Francophone countries such as France, Belgium and others. That is used as a way to open up a wider horizon in audience.Canada has film co-production agreements with dozens of countries including China.

However, it is virtually impossible to sustain a local film industry had there been no government subsidy, says Welsh. Up to 90 percent of the cost of a locally produced film could be all kinds of government grants and credits. Canada at the federal level provides a tax credit of 25 percent of eligible labor costs and a maximum of 15 percent of total production cost. In Quebec, tax credit for eligible labor costs is even higher, at 35-45 percent, and total production cost can receive a tax credit of 17.5-22.5 percent.

Another strength that Henry Welsh wants to emphasize is the special-effects production in Montreal. It attracts the biggest studios from Hollywood. I toured one such facility last year during the film festival and was duly impressed. And of course I have long known that many Canadian cities have been serving as back-lots forHollywood. According to my own research, which is compiled in my Chinese-language book "Hollywood Revealed," up to one third of the scenes of American movies are actually shot in Canada. And for those familiar with the sights and sounds of Vancouver, the 2013 romantic comedy blockbuster in China"Finding Mr. Right" (Chinese title "When Beijing Meets Seattle") had Vancouver substituting for its southern neighbor. Maybe next time a Chinese crew can consider Montreal as a location to stand in for Paris. The street-side cafes and the way people talk and act are very French, at least to a non-discerning Chinese. And we can always digitally insert the Eiffel Tower.