This Campaign Helps Stop Films Being Censored by the Peruvian Government

In early 2025, the Peruvian government and Congress were on the verge of approving the so-called 'Anti-Cinema Law,' which seeks to limit and reduce funding for films that address topics considered sensitive by the state, such as terrorism in the 1980s, the LGTBI+ community, and others.

In a country where insecurity, corruption, and social inequality dominate the news headlines, APRECI and TBWA Peru set out to raise public awareness about the 'Anti-Cinema Law.' This is how The Government’s Cut was born - an initiative that exposed the risks faced by Peru’s film industry and cultural identity under censorship promoted by national authorities.

To that end, they launched a film series re-releasing some of the most award-winning Peruvian productions, such as La boca del lobo (winner at the San Sebastián Film Festival), Canción sin nombre (awarded at the Stockholm International Film Festival), and Días de Santiago (recognized at the Miami International Film Festival), among other notable films. Each was re-edited using different forms of censorship according to the law’s criteria.

The event was strategically held during Oscars week, taking advantage of the global spotlight on cinema to redirect attention toward the imminent approval of the 'Anti-Cinema Law.' The initiative succeeded in sparking public debate, capturing media attention, giving a platform to national filmmakers, and bringing the discussion to the Peruvian Congress, where some authorities warned of the serious risks this legislation poses to the country’s cultural landscape.

“Because people who forget their history are doomed to repeat it.”