logo
Donald Trump's 100% tariff on foreign films would 'annihilate' Scottish industry, says filmmaker

Donald Trump's 100% tariff on foreign films would 'annihilate' Scottish industry, says filmmaker

Daily Record08-05-2025

Bafta-nominated filmmaker Ryan Hendrick, from Glasgow, said the movie industry will fight back against the US president's shock proposal.
Donald Trump's threat to impose a 100% tariff on foreign films would 'completely annihilate' the industry in Scotland, a filmmaker said yesterday.
Bafta-nominated Ryan Hendrick said the US president's shock announcement would kill off movie deals like his but said it 'won't and can't' be allowed to happen, as powerful production companies and big-name stars fight back.

Trump said this week he would hit all movies made outside the US with 100% tariffs - declaring Hollywood was 'dying a very fast death' as he sparked the latest in a string of trade disputes with nations around the world.

The news sent shockwaves through the industry, with veteran Scots actor Brian Cox saying it would be an 'absolute disaster' for his upcoming film.
Hendrick, who made Highland horror feature film Mercy Falls, said the industry will fight back against Trump's proposals and win.
The director and producer, from Glasgow, said: 'It is worrying because if it did come into force the current, traditional financing structure for independent films, which is already broken anyway, would be completely annihilated.
'It's something Trump obviously wants, but he knows it will create a panic and he's playing political theatre.
'I don't know how you can enforce it or legislate it. It violates various international laws and there are so many people who would be apposing it.

'The real problem it would cause filmmakers in Scotland and the UK is the ability to recoup on their investment.
North America and Canada is the main territory you aim for. If your film isn't tailored towards audience appetite in that territory your film isn't going to make money.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

'If you look at the likes of Apple, Netflix, Amazon, Disney, HBO. All these companies have invested hugely in infrastructure around the world. They are investing too much money to allow it to happen.
'It won't and can't happen in my view. I think it's too complicated to make it work.'

Much of the detail of the new tariff has yet to be confirmed.
While Trump has relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for his global tariff spree, legal experts have stated that the law includes specific allowances for the free flow of informational materials, including films.
The White House followed Trump's statement with confirmation that 'no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made'.

Trump himself later said that he was to 'meet with the industry', saying 'I want to make sure they're happy about it'.
The Scottish Government has said it would do all it can to 'minimize the risk to the screen sector'.
The MSP Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Angus Robertson, said there has to be a 'mutual interest' in supporting the screen sector in Scotland and the US.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

John Swinney pledges to do 'everything we can' to save jobs at Alexander Dennis
John Swinney pledges to do 'everything we can' to save jobs at Alexander Dennis

Daily Record

time33 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

John Swinney pledges to do 'everything we can' to save jobs at Alexander Dennis

More than a century of bus manufacture in Falkirk could soon come to an end with cheap imports from China blamed. John Swinney has pledged his Government will do "everything we can" to save jobs at an historic Scots bus manufacturers. Alexander Dennis announced yesterday it planned to centralise its operations in England by closing its two factories in Falkirk, with 400 staff at risk of redundancy. ‌ Such a move would bring to an end more than a century of bus building in the area after the firm's owners blamed competition from China for making it uncompetitive. ‌ The announcement is a fresh blow for the Falkirk district after the recent closure of the refinery in nearby Grangemouth last month. The First Minister told MSPs today: "This issue has been occupying a great deal of the focus and the attention of the Deputy First Minister and I, and the UK Government, since we became aware of the situation over the last few weeks. But Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar accused the SNP Government of overlooking Scottish industry in favour of ordering buses from China. He pointed to the success of the local bus network in Greater Manchester, which runs a fleet of 160 new vehicles all built in Falkirk. Andy Burnham, the English city's mayor, said the buses were "a bit of Scotland right here in Greater Manchester". Almost all bus services in Scotland are run by private operators who are free to order buses from any manufacturer they choose. ‌ Swinney insisted state aid regulations – in the form of the UK-wide Subsidy Control Act – prevented the UK Government from directly procuring from a single supplier like Alexander Dennis. He quoted a joint letter from the UK and Scottish governments, which pledged to 'work closely with Alexander Dennis at this challenging time'. He added: 'That's us indicating that we're keen to do everything we can to find a way through the Subsidy Control Act provisions, so the Government can continue to operate within the law, which we must do, but also, we can support manufacturing in Scotland, which is my priority.' ‌ Sarwar hit back: "If John Swinney can't figure out a way to order buses in Scotland, I suggest he picks up the phone to (Greater Manchester Mayor) Andy Burnham and see how he managed to do it. 'Almost five times as many bus orders from Manchester.' Sarwar's claim stems from the second phase of the Scottish Government's green bus initiative ScotZEB, which ordered 44 buses from Alexander Dennis. ‌ However, according to a press release from the time, 137 buses were ordered from the firm in the first phase, amounting to a total of 181. Burnham – who has previously visited the Falkirk site – said: "Our iconic Bee Network buses are a bit of Scotland right here in Greater Manchester. "We have over 160 Alexander Dennis buses criss-crossing our city-region every day – connecting our communities to opportunity. "If Greater Manchester can invest in world-class Scottish bus manufacturing, then why can't the SNP Scottish Government?"

War film breaks viewers hearts - 'I've never sobbed so hard in my life'
War film breaks viewers hearts - 'I've never sobbed so hard in my life'

Edinburgh Live

time33 minutes ago

  • Edinburgh Live

War film breaks viewers hearts - 'I've never sobbed so hard in my life'

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Over 15 years since its release, audiences are finding it hard to let go of The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, as they continue to label the film "absolutely devastating". Asa Butterfield delivers a stirring performance as an eight-year-old boy in The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, unfolding amidst the terrors of the Second World War. Adapted from John Boyne's novel, the drama is fiercely set within the confines of Nazi-invaded Poland and dares to present an emotionally charged narrative that reduces viewers to tears. One Rotten Tomatoes critic expressed: "Such a heartbreaking story about love, friendship, and the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust. Other than Schindler's List, I've never sobbed so hard in my life." Launched onto screens in 2008, the cinematic piece stars the actor well-known from Netflix's Sex Education as young Bruno, whose father's an SS officer whose new post requires the family to relocate to Poland. On a day filled with curiosity, Bruno encounters a concentration camp, which he naively assumes is a farm beyond his back garden; a place his mother strictly prohibits him from visiting. In a bout of defiance, Bruno slinks into the forest where he confronts a barbed wire fence enclosing the camp. At this border, he befriends Smuel, another youngster of his age, sparking a clandestine camaraderie, reports the Express. Day after day, Bruno sneaks away to see Smuel across the fence, gifting him bits of food. Eventually, Bruno comes to realise that his newfound chum is Jewish, having been brought to the camp with his parents. A review says: "This movie had me in tears after knowing the plot of it. It breaks my heart seeing the plot twist of the story. Seeing that Bruno was sorry and wanted to help Shmuel but ended up in a twisted fate, it awfully does break my heart. I'd definitely say this is a must watch movie if you badly want to cry." Another viewer remarked: "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a masterpiece. Highly absorbing and moving film. It makes me cry every time I watch it. Absolutely love it. One of my all-time favourites. It is one of those movies that goes straight to the heart." Nonetheless, amidst praises, the film has not been without its detractors who criticise its historical portrayal. A critique reads: "The story is exactly what comes out when a daydreaming, ignorant filmmaker tries to invent a cliché Holocaust drama in his own Hollywood bubble." It's important to acknowledge the significant role the children's novel and subsequent film adaptation have played in Holocaust education for youngsters. Holocaust educator Michael Grey notes that well over half of British Year 9 students (ages 13-14) engage more deeply with The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas than The Diary of Anne Frank. For those bracing themselves for an emotional cinema experience, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime.

John Swinney watched Air India plane crash with 'absolute horror' as Scots urged to call Foreign Office
John Swinney watched Air India plane crash with 'absolute horror' as Scots urged to call Foreign Office

Scotsman

time42 minutes ago

  • Scotsman

John Swinney watched Air India plane crash with 'absolute horror' as Scots urged to call Foreign Office

John Swinney has spoken about the Air India crash that has appeared to kill all 242 people on board. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... First Minister John Swinney has described watching the events surrounding the Air India plane crash with 'absolute horror' as he urged Scots who believe a family member was on the flight to contact the Foreign Office. Ahmedabad police commissioner Gyanendra Singh Malik has said there appears to be no survivors after a Gatwick Airport-bound plane carrying 53 British nationals crashed shortly after take-off in India on Thursday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Debris is seen at the site where Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad. Picture: Sam Panthaky/AFP via Getty Images A video of the incident circulating online shows the Air India aircraft, which was carrying 242 people, including 12 crew, flying over a residential area before crashing, creating what appears to be a huge fireball followed by large plumes of black smoke. Images of the aftermath of the crash showed parts of the plane embedded into a residential building as firefighters continued to tackle the smoke. Pieces of the aircraft's landing gear, fuselage and tail could all be seen protruding from the building. AP Speaking in Holyrood, Mr Swinney said: 'I've watched the unfolding events with absolute horror and I feel enormous sympathy for everyone who's affected by this situation. There are, of course, a number of British nationals on the flight, a sizable number. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are obviously in touch with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about any implications for families in Scotland, but it's absolutely terrifying circumstances to witness, my heart goes out to everyone affected. 'I would encourage anyone who's concerned about a loved one who may have been on that flight to contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and of course we will do all that we can to support families in Scotland.' The airline said the flight was departing from Ahmedabad Airport with 242 people on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Air India also said 169 passengers were Indian nationals, 53 were British, one was Canadian and seven were Portuguese.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store