By law, all films shown in theaters in Mexico must have subtitles without importing the language.
As of March 22, the cinemas in Mexico they will only be able to exhibit movies with subtitles. By law it was established that texts must be included in order to guarantee the right to culture of people with different disabilities.
In the Official Gazette of the Federation, this reform to article 8 of the Federal Cinematography Law, which must be regulated within a period of no more than 60 calendar days.
“The films will be shown to the public in their original version and subtitled in Spanish, in the terms established by the Regulations. Those classified for children and educational documentaries may be shown dubbed, but always subtitled in Spanish “
So all films that are exhibited in Mexico must have Subtitle regardless of the original language. That is, even if they are in Spanish, they must have the texts.
Regardless of the genre, the tapes must have these new modifications. The president of the Culture and Cinematography Commission, Sergio Mayer, said that this change is a great advance for the enjoyment of human and cultural rights for all Mexicans.
Data from the Technological Observatory revealed that in Mexico there are almost 2.4 million people with some type of hearing disability. Of which 3404% are between 30 and 50 years old, while 47.4% are older than 60 years.
Goodbye to movies dubbed in theaters in Mexico?
When the news spread, great controversy was generated since it was considered that all films were to be exhibited in their original language with subtitles in Spanish. What would put aside the world of dubbing.
However, the Ministry of the Interior (SG) clarified that the reform does not harm dubbing, since it only establishes that the tapes must have Subtitle, even when they are in Spanish.
“In other words, in movie theaters there will continue to be films with audio in a foreign language, or in Spanish, but always with subtitles”
According to the dependency with the modifications, it is only intended that people with hearing disabilities can access this type of content.
For his part, the deputy Sergio Mayer clarified that “nothing was modified regarding the dubbing of the films, the article is maintained and will allow distributors to request authorization to dub the films that can be screened in Mexico.”
Clarifying about the reform in art. 8 of the Federal Cinematography Law. Its objective is to include more than 2.4 million Mexicans with hearing disabilities, giving them the possibility of fully enjoying different artistic and cultural expressions, such as cinema. pic.twitter.com/Rcrj9x8lDZ
– Sergio Mayer Bretón (@SergioMayerb) March 24, 2021
The National Association of Actors, also expressed itself in this regard and assured that the reform is not intended to end the dubbing industry.
Communiqué of the National Executive Committee, regarding the amendment to article 8. of the Federal Cinematography Law. @marco_trevino @CalvActor @ zaratejorge61 @ oscarb59 @ lauaya1 @ANDAJuvenil pic.twitter.com/bk2SViqON2
– National Association of Actors (@andactores) March 23, 2021
