Tribunal de Corts d'Andorra / Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
ANDORRA CINEMA… (In the Entertainment
industry. History of Andorra Cinema)
Andorra Cinema
Ordino Film Commission d'Andorra
History
Andorra, officially the Principality of Andorra (Catalan:
Principat d'Andorra), also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra
(Catalan: Principat de les Valls d'Andorra), is a sovereign landlocked
microstate in Southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains
and bordered by Spain and France.
9th to 19th centuries
Andorra claims it is the last independent survivor of the
Marca Hispanica, the buffer states created by Charlemagne to keep the Islamic
Moors from advancing into Christian France. Tradition holds that Charlemagne
granted a charter to the Andorran people in return for their fighting the
Moors. In the 9th century, Charlemagne's grandson, Charles the Bald, named the
Count of Urgell as overlord of Andorra. A descendant of the count later gave
the lands to the Diocese of Urgell.
In the 11th century, fearing military action by
neighboring lords, the Bishop of Urgell placed himself under the protection of
the Lord of Caboet, a Catalan nobleman. Later, the Count of Foix became heir to
the Lord of Caboet through marriage, and a dispute arose between the Occitan
Count and the Catalan bishop over Andorra.
In 1278, the conflict was resolved by the signing of a
pareage (pariatges), which provided that Andorra's sovereignty be shared
between the Count of Foix and the Bishop of La Seu d'Urgell (Catalonia). The
pareage, a feudal institution recognizing the principle of equality of rights
shared by two rulers, gave the small state its territory and political form. In
return, Andorra pays an annual tribute or questia to the co-rulers consisting
of four hams, forty loaves of bread, and some wine. Andorra's borders have remained
unchanged since 1278.
Andorra was briefly annexed to the Crown of Aragon twice,
in 1396 and 1512.
In 1505, Germaine of Foix married Ferdinand V of Castile,
thereby bringing the lordship of Andorra under Spanish rule. On taking over the
kingdom in 1519, Emperor Charles V granted the lordship of Les Valls, as it was
then known, to Germaine of Foix’s line in perpetuity. Henry III of Navarre, who
was also count of Foix, in 1589 ascended the French throne as Henry IV, and by
an edict of 1607 transferred his role as co-prince of Andorra to the head of
the French state.
In 1793, the French revolutionary government refused the
traditional Andorran tribute as smacking of feudalism and renounced its
suzerainty, despite the wish of the Andorrans to enjoy French protection and
avoid being under exclusively Spanish influence.
Andorra remained neutral during the Napoleonic Wars.
Napoleon restored the co-principality in 1806 after the Andorrans petitioned
him to do so. French title to the principality subsequently passed from the
kings to the president of France. In the period 1812–13, the French Empire
annexed Catalonia and divided it in four departments. Andorra was also annexed
and made part of the district of Puigcerdà (département of Sègre).
20th and 21st centuries
In 1933, France occupied Andorra as a result of social
unrest before elections. On July 12, 1934, an adventurer named Boris Skossyreff
issued a proclamation in Urgel, declaring himself Boris I, sovereign prince of
Andorra, simultaneously declaring war on the Bishop of Urgell. He was arrested
by Spanish authorities on July 20 and ultimately expelled from Spain. From 1936
to 1940, a French detachment was garrisoned in Andorra to prevent influences of
the Spanish Civil War and Franco's Spain.
During World War II, Andorra remained neutral and was an
important smuggling route from Spain into France. The French Resistance used
Andorra as part of their route to get downed airmen out of France.
In 1943, Andorra carried out its first execution since the
19th century, that of Antoni Arenis for double fratricide by firing squad
(because a trained executioner was unavailable to operate the legal method -
Garrote).
In 1958, Andorra declared peace with Germany, having been
forgotten on the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I and, the conflict
being extended by the lack of a peace treaty, remaining legally at war. Irish
historian Ciaran Geraghty asserts that Andorra was intentionally barred from
attending the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, due to Andorra's "relative
lack of influence throughout the conflict".
Long an impoverished land having little contact with any
nations other than adjoining France and Spain, Andorra after World War II
achieved considerable prosperity through a developing tourist industry. This
development, abetted by improvements in transport and communications, has
tended to break down Andorra’s isolation and to bring Andorrans into the
mainstream of European history. Public demands for democratic reforms led to
the extension of the franchise to women in the 1970s and to the creation of new
and more fully autonomous organs of government in the early 1980s.
1990s and after
Andorra formally became a parliamentary democracy in May
1993 following approval of a new constitution by a popular referendum in March
1993. The new constitution retained the French and Spanish co-princes although
with reduced, and narrowly defined powers. Civil rights were greatly expanded
including the legalization of political parties and trade unions, and provision
was made for an independent judiciary. Andorra entered into a customs union
with the European Communities (now the EU) in 1991 and was admitted to the UN
on 28 July 1993. The country has been seeking ways to improve its export
potential and increase its economic ties with its European neighbors’. The
financial services sector of the economy is highly important, given Andorra’s
status as a tax haven and its banking secrecy laws.
Emerge Films Solutions
Andorra Film & Photography Production Services
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production
company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in
Andorra? We have fully vetted, locally based fixers, service producers,
directors, DP’s, videographers, cameramen, photographers, sound operators,
production drivers, and a range of other film crew. Contact us for referrals,
questions, cost estimates and references.
Want to know more about shooting in Andorra? See below for
an introduction to Andorra locations, permits, when to shoot, costs, talent,
crews, equipment, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work
permits, film friendly hotels, transport, communications and safety advice.
Andorra Film Locations
Andorra is a small mountain state located in the Pyrenees Mountains
between France and Spain. The entire country can be crossed by car in less than
an hour. It is known for its rugged mountains, snow skiing in the winter and
green valleys with bubbling streams in the warmer months.
Film locations of note include Andorra la Vella, Canillo,
Arinsal, Les Escaldes, El Pas de la Casa, Soldeu, and El Tarter, to name a few.
Andorra Film Location Permits
Andorra is a film friendly country. There are no unusual
rules and regulations. Please contact us for location specific information.
When to Shoot?
November to April are the best months for snow looks. May
to September are the warmest months with July to August busy with tourists on
summer holidays. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs.
See here for public holiday dates in Andorra.
Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. Andorra trades in the Euro. It is a small country
with little to no film infrastructure so having to bring in all crew and
equipment from abroad can add significantly to your costs. Barcelona is the
closest major production centre, a 3 hour drive away. Our Andorran fixer /
service producer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level
of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for
foreign commercials or feature films shooting in Andorra.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Andorra has a very small pool of local directors,
directors of photography and stills photographers. All key crew should be
brought in from abroad. Andorra’s close proximity to major European production centers
allows easy access to those experienced pools of crew.
Contact us if you are looking for a director, DP,
photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant
(focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA /
runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Andorra.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable. The local
talent pool is very small so it is advised to bring in featured talent from
abroad. Andorrans, who are ethnically Catalan, are a minority in their own
country; Spaniards, Portuguese, French, Britons, and Italians make up two
thirds of Andorra’s population. All other talent looks can be easily brought in
from nearby European production centers.
Andorra Film Equipment
You will need to bring in all camera, grip and lighting
equipment from abroad. For productions looking to bring in film equipment
Andorra is an ATA carnet country.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction is very basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Andorra is not part of the Schengen Area. However, since
Andorra can only be accessed through France and Spain (both Schengen Area
members) their rules will apply. Andorra has border controls with both France
and Spain, so make sure if you need a visa to enter the Schengen Area, that you
have a multiple-entry visa, so when leaving you will be allowed back into
France or Spain. Citizens of EU countries are required to present either
national identity cards or passports to enter Andorra, while everyone else
needs to present a passport. US passport holders can enter visa-free for stays
of up to 90 days. Contact your local Andorran embassy or representative for
more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure is up to expected European
standards. Barcelona is the closest major international airport 3 hours’ drive
from Andorra.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Andorra
la Vella include:
Hotel Acta Arthotel
Hotel Pyrenees
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. Andorra is a very safe place to shoot. See here
for up to date travel advice.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills
campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content,
feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Andorra.
Hire Andorra Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production
service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Andorra, please
contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in
Andorra, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman /
camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip,
gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please
contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and
bids quickly.
Sources,
References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked
In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The
Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative
Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film
Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of
Credits, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Emerge Film
Solutions, UNESCO Institute for Statistics, Ordino Film Commission d'Andorra,
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Tribunal de
Corts d'Andorra / Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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