The organisers of the 17th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) 2012 came under scathing attack at the ‘Open Forum’ conducted by the Federation of Film Societies outside the IFFK premises here.
The organisers of independent film festivals across the state opined that by disallowing Open Forum at the IFFK, the organisers had deprived the festival of its spirit of freedom.
“Film society work is also a political activity. But cease to be one when governments and corporates take over,” said Fr Benny who organises ViBGYOR festival in Thrissur. “Festivals are not limited to watching films. The films seen, and the social issues they raise should be discussed,” he added.
Critic V K Joseph described film festival venues as places where the issues of marginalised sections of society should be discussed.
Madhu Janardhanan of Montage Festival commented that the IFFK had lost its focus. He said that Film Minister K B Ganesh Kumar had said that he wanted to bring films from all over the world to the festival.
“What the minister had forgotten is that the IFFK had association with films from Third World countries, from Asia, Africa and Latin America.
The minister is now screaming for films from Europe but are films from Sri Lanka finding space in the festival,” he asked.
He also said that lack of direction is what made the organisers keep out ‘Papillio Buddha’ which speaks about the travails of our tribals, from the fest.