I don’t think a country’s size directly impacts film quality. Take smaller nations like South Korea or New Zealand, for example — both have produced incredible films with global recognition (*Parasite*, *Lord of the Rings*). It’s more about the passion, talent, and resources available in the industry rather than the country’s size. Larger countries might have bigger budgets, but that doesn't always mean better storytelling. Ultimately, great films can come from anywhere, and smaller countries often bring unique perspectives to global cinema that are just as impactful.

Hi,

I can't say that I watch stuff from one country more than another, although within the Portland International Film Festival, I always go for the bottom 3 or 5 films, because there won't be an audience there, since all of them went to see the English and American films that will be available on DVD ... the other stuff in the bottom? You and I will NEVER AGAIN hear of them!

There is an issue with the bigger places ... controls ... even though we might not think of it in America, it is one of the worst places to do independent film, likely with the exception of Woody Allen and Robert Altman, but RA, tends to fake out the producers and do his thing anyway! He has done this to everyone including actors, and he talks about it in his book, which is a lot of fun to read!

In places like Russia, China, there are some really tough controls, and we can see how these controls have hurt ... 30 years ago, China was exploding and the film makers went everywhere ... and all of a sudden the number dropped in half, and when Honk Kong went to China, a lot more films did not show up anymore ... maybe they were there but no foreign releases. Japan has been a problem in film for 70 years ... simply read about Akira Kurosawa and a couple of other film makers and how they had to rely on foreign money to get their films made, which the Japanese made sure that Kurosawa never got the newest and fangled equipment, but only the old, worn out crap for lighting and sets. The Europe that was dominated by the Russians for a long time also kinda dropped off the face of the earth ... Poland kinda fell off the map after Kieslowski .... and even Zbigniew Preisner has been ignored and DG's ego relegated Mr. Preisner to the background, and he was massive in their film department and as a well appreciated musician except for the star, of course.

I have not, exactly kept up with a lot of the rest of the European film makers, although I still watch the French, Italian and the Spanish folks as well as other Europeans ... but in the past 20 years the American influence in Europe has helped lower the desire and ability to see things by a well known director, or perhaps these days, there is no such thing as an important director in Europe that is not an old name, or about to die. The best thing I have seen from Italy recently is Giuseppe Tornatore's film about Ennio Morricone ... what an incredible hug and pat on the back and appreciation this film is ... truly far out, and brings over many folks saying something ... even folks that you go ... what? But it shows the appreciation that is no longer possible since all of it is about the star and the millions, not the film ... and the USA Today trashes anything that is not made by a studio that is a part of its network ... and ends up saying something about really bad, and poor stuff out there ... very sad indeed ... and it's like there isn't a world out there anyway! Why should you care, kind of thing. And sometimes, worse, like I get here ... dislikes because I don't do a top band on a list, and often times I want to write something bad about it .. .like repetitive, boring, formulaic, and as interesting as a dead cow.