This Friday, May 17th, Apple TV+ will premiere 'The Big Cigar: La gran fuga', a dramatic series directed by Don Cheadle, Damon Thomas, and Tiffany Johnson. This production features a cast led by André Holland, Alessandro Nivola, Tiffany Boone, and P. J. Byrne, with Don Cheadle and Janine Sherman Barrois as executive producers. Beyond its intriguing narrative, this project stands out for having benefited from the CINA tax incentives, which enabled its production in Colombia.
Synopsis
'The Big Cigar: La gran fuga' is based on a journalistic article by Joshuah Bearman and tells the incredible true story of Huey P. Newton, founder of the Black Panthers, who managed to escape from the FBI and take refuge in Cuba. This bold plan was made possible thanks to the help of the famous producer Bert Schneider and the production of a fake film, a scheme that surprised everyone and caused a social stir in Hollywood.
Production in Colombia thanks to CINA
The filming of 'The Big Cigar' took place in Colombia between September 14th and October 7th, 2023, in the municipalities of Arjona, Barú, Cartagena, and Turbaco, in the department of Bolívar. The choice of these Colombian settings was not accidental but the result of the benefits offered by the Audiovisual Investment Certificates (CINA), a tax incentive designed to attract international productions to the country.
Thanks to CINA, the production was able to invest more than (approximately USD 4.7 million) in the country. This tax incentive, exclusive to international audiovisual projects, allows productions to receive a certificate representing 35% of the investment made in local audiovisual and logistical services.
Economic and social impact
The production of 'The Big Cigar' not only brought economic investment but also generated employment and promoted the development of the tourism sector in Colombia. 740 people were hired, including technical and artistic personnel, main and supporting actors, and extras. In addition, more than 12,600 hotel nights were paid for and 690 plane tickets were purchased from national travel agencies.
CINA incentives and Law 1556 of 2012
Colombia's Law 1556 of 2012 aims to promote cinematographic activity in the country, promoting its territory as a valuable cultural heritage for the filming of audiovisual projects. This law also promotes tourism activity and the promotion of Colombia's image through the development of the film industry.
Audiovisual Investment Certificates (CINA) are a key incentive in this framework. These certificates are tradable tax titles in the stock market and represent 35% of the value of the investment made in the country in audiovisual and audiovisual logistical services (lodging, food, and transportation). This incentive has been crucial in attracting international productions, such as 'The Big Cigar', which otherwise could have been filmed in other destinations.
Conclusión
The premiere of 'The Big Cigar: La gran fuga' on Apple TV+ not only promises an exciting narrative and exceptional performances but also highlights the positive impact of CINA incentives and Law 1556 on the Colombian film industry. Thanks to these benefits, Colombia continues to establish itself as an attractive destination for international film and television production, demonstrating that cultural and economic development policies can bring great benefits to the country.
