Tonino Guerra (Italy)
Vibecke Windelov (Denmark)
Elaine Cassidy (Ireland)
Janos Szasz (Hungary)
Michel Ciment (France)
Srdjan Karanovic (Yugoslavia)
Christodoulos Halaris (Greece)

During the press conference given by the International Jury, in the framework of the 40th International Thessaloniki Film Festival, the opinions expressed for the future of European cinema were interesting and mixed.

The president of the jury, Tonino Guerra, was pessimistic, as he claimed that, because of the American cinema's domination, "we are nearing a catastrophe". The "answer", as he called it, comes from China and Iran, in a way, though, that has become a fashion, more than it should have. These films, he added, revolve around humanity, but repeat themselves.

The famous screenplay writer of films by Fellini, Tarkovski, Antonioni, the Taviani brothers, and Angelopoulos, also claimed that "good stories" can come out of a small country. Then, while making an analogy between cinema and the food we eat, he noted the addiction created by both, by characteristically saying, "in life, we consume our childhood years", by which he meant that, at a young age the viewer chooses what he or she will view. Michel Ciment, the French film critic was also pessimistic and offered three solutions to the American domination.

In particular, he spoke of an educational necessity, and proposed that European films be shown in high schools in conjunction with European or world history.

He also noted the necessity of protection of European films by European governments, "in a time when we are constructing a new Europe". His third, and particularly important "solution" is the "quality" of European cinema, and emphasized the fact that "New Yorkers once watched Fellini, Antonioni, Bunuel, and Godard. Nothing like this happens anymore. This means that we must make better films".

As far as the purpose of festivals, Mr. Ciment noted that "thanks to them, we are able to see films that, otherwise, we wouldn't have had the chance to", and pointed out the problems of distribution and advertisement, which gear the audience towards American cinema.

The Danish producer, Vibecke Windelov, was particularly optimistic about the future of European cinema because, as she said, cinematography in her country is traversing a positive stage because of young directors, increased financing, and much "energy'. Mrs. Windelov also said that French television is applying a policy of promoting European cinema. She gave the example of the support that Lars Von Trier's film productions received (with whom she collaborates), and noted that all national television networks must act accordingly.

Elaine Cassidy, the young Irish actress, while speaking about her country, stated that most of the films produced there, are influenced by American ones. She emphasized, though, that the introduction of cinematography in education will assist the younger generation insofar as the making of films that will cover a broader spectrum of topics.

The Hungarian director, Janos Szasz, expressed his belief that "as long as we have interesting stories to tell, cinema will not die", while his Yugoslavian colleague, Karanovic stated that, from the moment he arrived at the festival, he started becoming optimistic. "Nobody hates American culture", said the director, and added, "nevertheless, I would like to see every culture safeguarded. It's not fast food that bothers me, it's McDonalds".

The Greek composer, Christodoulos Halaris, spoke of the influence that television, periodicals, and films have and, "refer to people that rely on products that assist them to make love, but don't". He added that the purpose of these means is the creation of a society of "devalued people" and also noted the importance of education.