(INTERVIEW) Ludvik Bagari: Aipa needs to be thoroughly ventilated

Ludvik Bagari, a well-known Slovenian actor with two terms on the board of the Slovenian Association of Authors, Performers and Producers of Audiovisual Works (AIPA), has stated that the organization requires a thorough investigation. In an interview with Večer, he described how actors have been completely blinded to potential issues within AIPA’s operations. “Some of them suffer from golden handcuffs,” he said. “And yet, they don’t cooperate when it comes to suspected irregularities, helping to cover them up.” In June this year, during the final phase of the film industry’s work, AIPA informed members that it had left the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC). Critical observers immediately pointed out that AIPA had effectively been excluded, due to inconsistencies in its operation and overall misalignment with international standards for collecting authors’ rights payments for audiovisual creators. The media remained largely silent until Večer published an article titled “We Should Have Alarmed Everyone” on June 22, which included perspectives from these critics. These views confirmed that AIPA has been marked by a series of contentious actions. The collective organization responded angrily: through the law firm Grčar, the leadership demanded a revision of the relevant clause, and our newspaper was also reported to the Press Council Court, as they firmly rejected practically every assertion made. For opinions on the allegations against AIPA’s operations, we turned to someone who thoroughly understands the inner workings of the organization. Ludvik Bagari, known for his roles in numerous Slovenian films and series, served on AIPA’s supervisory board from 2017 to 2023. During this time, he personally witnessed the developments taking place within this collective organization. Bagari detailed several concerning elements in AIPA’s functioning, describing them as including acts of deception, abuse of position, fraud, and failure to act responsibly. He noted that anyone who points out irregularities faces harassment, with warnings such as “Be careful what you do” and “Watch your income.” According to him, these practices are far from ethical business conduct. He further remarked that if one looks at the definition of an organized criminal group, it is already close to that description. The situation has sparked widespread concern among industry professionals and legal experts. Several individuals who were part of AIPA’s internal processes have expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and accountability. Some have suggested that the organization’s structure and decision-making processes have become increasingly opaque, leading to a loss of trust among its members and external stakeholders. Legal representatives have also taken notice, with some suggesting that the alleged misconduct could potentially fall under legal scrutiny. While no formal charges have been filed, the growing public and professional criticism indicates that the issue is gaining momentum. This has led to calls for greater oversight and possibly legislative changes to ensure compliance with international standards. As the debate continues, the future of AIPA remains uncertain. With increasing pressure from both internal and external forces, the organization will need to address these concerns head-on. Whether it leads to reform or further escalation remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the current state of affairs has created a climate of distrust that demands resolution.