THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is film festival time again this Sunday for Banner Film Society. This time, the society is presenting classic films of Malayalam middle-stream by four master film-makers of Malayalam cinema.
The festival kicks off at 9.30 am on March 25 at Lenin Balavadi, behind Tagore theatre at Vazhuthacaud. The curtain-raiser would be ‘Prayaanam’ by Bharathan and scripted by Padmarajan. The film was the debut film for both Padmarajan and Bharathan. The writer-director duo is often credited for revolutionising Malayalam cinema with their expressive and innovative works.
‘Prayaanam’ stars Mohan, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Master Raghu, Lakshmi, Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Nanditha Bose. It probes into the realities that existed within the Brahmin community of the day. Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair plays an elderly Brahmin priest married to a girl young enough to be his daughter.
Bharathan produced the film as well as did the art direction. Music was composed by M B Sreenivasan with lyrics by Vayalar, Yatheendra Das and Bichu Thirumala.
At 11.30 am, ‘Nombarathipoov’ by Padmarajan will be screened. It stars Madhavi, Baby Sonia, Mammootty, Shari and Unni Mary. Its story is about the deep relation between Gigi (Sonia) and Padmini (Madhavi). Its songs were composed by M G Radhakrishnan, while the background score was done by Johnson. K G George’s ‘Irakal’ will be screened at 2.45 pm. This was produced by the then prominent actor Sukumaran. ‘Irakal’ is an in-depth exploration of the psychology of violence. It received several accolades, including two Kerala State Film Awards: for second best film and best story.
The last film in the fest will be ‘Rachana’ by Mohan at 5 pm. Gopi and Srividya are a happily married couple, he’s a successful writer and she a head/supervisor in an office. One day, there’s a new joinee in office. The new guy (Nedumudi Venu) is a country bumpkin.
A preview of the short film ‘Sneham’, directed by Taj Bashir, member of the Banner Film Society, has been arranged on the occasion.