A new-look Kalaivanar Arangam is opening its doors for the 22nd European Union Festival in India, this evening. The Minister for Information and Publicity, Kadambur Raju, has been roped in to inaugurate the event, in the presence of chief guest João da Camara, Ambassador of Portugal to India. Other dignitaries at the event include C Senthil Rajan, Director of the Directorate of Film Festivals, New Delhi, Achim Fabig, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Chennai and members of the film fraternity.
E Thangaraj, Secretary, Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation, organisers of the event along with the Delegation of the European Union to India, Goethe-Institut, Max Mueller Bhavan and Alliance Française of Madras, believes this to be a significant moment in the city’s cinemascape. “It was the wish of the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa that the last edition of Chennai International film festival have its opening ceremony at a venue in memory of the late comedian N S Krishnan,” he says. “But it could not be readied in time due to unforeseen circumstances, But her interest has paved the way for the organising of film festivals in the city that are on par with the best in the world.” Thangaraj expects a substantial number of people coming in. “The city has many die-hard fans of European cinema who will no doubt be part of this event.” The festival, which will go on till May 4, will see the first screening this evening. The film in question, The Portugese Falcon, is an action-adventure film that received critical acclaim.