PANAJI: nov 26 th,
Film-makers at the ongoing International Film Festival of India have accused the government of interfering in the selection process of films being shown at the festival. K.N.T. Sastry, chairman of the Indian Panorama feature film jury, has hit out at the authorities for “imposing” pre-decided popular box-office hits on the Panorama.
“The Panorama is losing its value, its stature. The manner in which the government decides on certain films is shameful. I did not want to include popular box-office hit films as part of the Panorama. Unfortunately, I had to do that. I was given films like Jodha Akbar to include for the festival. I asked why the taxpayer’s money should be used to sub-title a film like Jodha Akbar for the festival.”
Speaking to The Hindu, he said, “We were given seven box-office hits and asked to choose five films. It is a misunderstanding that we are against mainstream cinema. We are against the inclusion of box-office hits in the Panorama section. If the film is already a hit across the country, it does not need extra screening or promotion. ”
The Directorate of Film Festivals, however, denied any interference. “The box-office hit films come from the Film Federation of India. It is an established practice,” a senior official said.
Five box-office hits, including Hindi films Taare Zameen Par, A Wednesday, Jodha Akbar besides Tamil film Billa are part of the bouquet.
Defending his decision, Mr. Sastry said, “I chose a film like Summer 2007 despite it being a commercial film. Its subject of micro credit has substance and the story needed to be told. Similarly, I selected the film from Tripura because it related the story of a hydel power project and the displacement it caused. I chose Kanchivaram by Priyadarshan as it talks of the problems of weavers in Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, Mahasatta, a Marathi film, talks of globalisation and unemployment.”
Extending support to Mr. Sastry, Jabbar Patel compared the films of the 1970s with the present lot. “How the film is selected for Panorama is very interesting and tricky,” he said, leaving a lot unsaid. “Indian Panorama has done a lot for cinema in the past. International directors come here to watch our films. Films have to be chosen with care. But, like our society, films are in a transition phase. As is the Panorama.”
“The Panorama is losing its value, its stature. The manner in which the government decides on certain films is shameful. I did not want to include popular box-office hit films as part of the Panorama. Unfortunately, I had to do that. I was given films like Jodha Akbar to include for the festival. I asked why the taxpayer’s money should be used to sub-title a film like Jodha Akbar for the festival.”
Speaking to The Hindu, he said, “We were given seven box-office hits and asked to choose five films. It is a misunderstanding that we are against mainstream cinema. We are against the inclusion of box-office hits in the Panorama section. If the film is already a hit across the country, it does not need extra screening or promotion. ”
The Directorate of Film Festivals, however, denied any interference. “The box-office hit films come from the Film Federation of India. It is an established practice,” a senior official said.
Five box-office hits, including Hindi films Taare Zameen Par, A Wednesday, Jodha Akbar besides Tamil film Billa are part of the bouquet.
Defending his decision, Mr. Sastry said, “I chose a film like Summer 2007 despite it being a commercial film. Its subject of micro credit has substance and the story needed to be told. Similarly, I selected the film from Tripura because it related the story of a hydel power project and the displacement it caused. I chose Kanchivaram by Priyadarshan as it talks of the problems of weavers in Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, Mahasatta, a Marathi film, talks of globalisation and unemployment.”
Extending support to Mr. Sastry, Jabbar Patel compared the films of the 1970s with the present lot. “How the film is selected for Panorama is very interesting and tricky,” he said, leaving a lot unsaid. “Indian Panorama has done a lot for cinema in the past. International directors come here to watch our films. Films have to be chosen with care. But, like our society, films are in a transition phase. As is the Panorama.”
No comments:
Post a Comment