MALAYALAM CINEMA ADEQUATELY REPRESENTED AT IFFI-2006
T.V. CHANDRAN’S COMMENTS BASELESS
Attention of the Directorate of Film Festivals has been drawn to the comments made by Shri T. V. Chandran, eminent filmmaker from Kerala, at a press conference yesterday. Shri Chandran’s observation that Malayalam films have been neglected in IFFI is incorrect and is a narrow view of this International Event. It is clarified that Malayalam cinema is adequately represented at IFFI-2006.
On facts, it may be observed that IFFI has a retrospective dedicated to G. Aravindan, whereby five classic films by the eminent filmmaker from Kerala are being screened. He was represented by his cameraman Sunny Joseph for the presentation of the opening film in this section – ‘Vasthuhara’. In the Feature Films category of the Indian Panorama Section of IFFI, five of the total of 20 films are in Malayalam i.e. a big chunk of 25 per cent.
Shri Chandran was himself invited to be present on the screening of his film – ‘Aadum Kothu’ on 27th November along with his cast and crew. Other prominent film personalities from Kerala invited at IFFI include, M.P. Sukumaran Nair, Sasi Paravoor, Prakash, Raju Mathew, Nedumudi Venu, K. S. Sethumadhavan and Madhu Kaithapram. Therefore, Shri T. V. Chandran’s comments are subjective and highly biased.
Further, it has to be borne in mind that IFFI is not only dedicated to Malayalam Cinema, but is representative of Indian Cinema. We need to see IFFI within this framework. An international film festival, it is meant to present the best of ‘Indian Cinema’ and the best of Foreign Cinema.
RS/AS
(Release ID :22567)