International film co-productions are sometimes thought of by the Americans as a form of financing providing the U.S. with the ability to sell works to its most important export market, Europe. Europe prefers thinking of it as way to provide its market with works that reflect European culture and ideals. This thesis questions the reality of such a statement, using the examples of the EU, the U.S. and Canada. / The author first explains the mechanism of co-production within the framework of a presentation of the methods of film financing. Follows a twofold discussion on the current nature of international co-productions, on both the international and national levels. / A considerable portion of this work examines the terms of the debate about the interplay between culture and trade. As an instrument used in the audiovisual industry, therefore strongly connected to cultural industries, international co-production is indeed an ideal model to represent the tensions existing between culture and global trade. This thesis sets international co-production up as a symbol of the interface between culture and trade. / Follows a debate on the congruity of the existing global and regional trade agreements for the protection of a culture always weaker in its diversity and propagation. With the prospect of the imminent phasing out of the sectoral exemptions allowed by the GATS, the inadequacy of the NAFTA cultural exemption and current quota policy systems, what would be best to calm down the tensions between culture and trade? Three solutions are discussed here: the New International Instrument on Cultural Diversity; a powerful competitor to the American majors such as Vivendi-Universal, and the technique of co-ventures.

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