Los Angeles (AFP)
Netflix could stop filming in Georgia if this US state enforces a law that significantly toughens the criteria for women to terminate their pregnancy, said Tuesday a leader of the video-on-demand platform.
Georgia has just passed a law banning abortions as soon as the heartbeat of the fetus is noticeable. This is about the sixth week of pregnancy, a stage where many women are still unaware that they are pregnant.
"We employ a lot of women on productions in Georgia, whose rights, like those of millions of others, will be severely restricted by this law," the Netflix content manager said in a statement to the Variety website. Ted Sarandos.
"Since the legislation has not yet come into force, we will continue to film there, while also supporting partners and artists who have chosen not to do so. a reflection on all our investments in Georgia, "he said.
Thanks in particular to very advantageous tax systems, this southern state of the United States has attracted in recent years many film shoots, such as Marvel productions ("Black Panther", "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame"). "), and television series (" Stranger Things "," Ozark "," The Walking Dead "...)
Some stars or small independent production houses have called, without much success so far, to boycott filming taking place in Georgia to protest against the new law on abortion.
But the big studios, they, remained very cautious.
"We will continue to monitor the situation," had assured in early May to AFP Chris Ortman, spokesman for the Motion Picture Association of America, an association that includes the six Hollywood heavyweights (Paramount, Sony, Universal, Disney, Warner Bros, recently joined by Netflix).
"It should be remembered that other states have tried to adopt similar legislation and that they have been invalidated by courts or are currently the subject of complaints," he said, noting that Georgia accounted for more than 92,000 jobs and as many families.
? 2019 AFP