International Film Festival of Kerala: Curtains go up on a solemn note

Hundreds of candles lit up the falling dusk as the 22nd International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) opened here on Friday on a solemn note by paying homage to cyclone victims.

IFFK jury members and audience with candle lights to express solidarity with the grieving families of Cyclone Ockhi-affected fishermen at the Nisagandhi in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday| Manu R MavelilP6

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hundreds of candles lit up the falling dusk as the 22nd International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) opened here on Friday on a solemn note by paying homage to the victims of Cyclone Ockhi.A formal inauguration and cultural events were cancelled in view of the tragic situation on the coasts, where scores of families are still awaiting their menfolks’ return from the sea.

Festival delegates and guests held up lighted candles, expressing solidarity with the grieving families. Festival director Kamal, who is also the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, the organisers, said the natural calamity has changed the tone of the festival from one of celebration to introspection. “Nothing affects or shapes cinema like human tragedy. There’s no way it can’t leave its mark on IFFK,’’ said Kamal.

Chief guest and award-winning Bengali actor Madhabi Mukherjee said creating an ideal audience who can enjoy good cinema is as important as making good films. Actor and director Aparna Sen delivered the G Aravindan memorial lecture. Jury chairman Marco Muller, filmmakers Mahamat Saleh Haroun (Chad), Adoor Gopalakrishnan, K P Kumaran, actor Sheela, sound director Resul Pookutti among others were present.