THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: He is only fourteen years old, yet Bilahari S has already directed four short films, won five state awards and even a national award.
However, Bilahari is still part of a majority whose opinions are rarely asked for. He is only a child, they say. But in the five-day Children’s Film Appreciation Camp organised by Chalachitra Academy, the Class 10 student will certainly find eager listeners.
“Grown-ups don’t know what children feel. They decide which movies their kids should watch. They even decide who acted well in the movie. But here, the children are encouraged to talk and express what they feel,” says camp director Govind Radhakrishnan, who is also the Director of All India Radio Manjeri FM.
The Children’s Film Appreciation Camp commenced on Thursday at Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan. It was inaugurated by actor Maniyan Pillai Raju at a function presided over by Chalachitra Academy chairman S Priyadarshan.
Bilahari’s friend and assistant director Adithya Ajay and the art director of his fourth film Alin P S are also attending the camp.
Here, one comes across several kinds of film lovers. Madhav, a die-hard Vijay fan, was in Kanyakumari a day before the camp began. But he doesn’t look worn out by the journey. He is looking forward to view all the films that will be screened.
On the opening day, Joshy Mathew’s ‘Black Forest’ was screened. The organisers have made sure that no one knows which movie will be screened the next day. Every day, it will be a pleasant surprise that the children will wake up to. Talks with eminent personalities from the film industry and sessions on different aspects of film-making will also be part of the camp.
During the last summer vacation, Bilahari had attended the film appreciation camp in Edappally in Kochi where he got an overview on direction, acting and cinematography. He is curious about what the camp holds this year. Games, fun and films, no doubt.