THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The evolution of Malayalees as global citizens has prompted them to foray into new horizons. This is more and more reflected in the new wave of Malayalam cinema, says A Chandrasekhar in his award-winning book ‘Haritha cinema’.
Nature from a being a mere prop in songs has now become central themes in movies. The technological shift has transformed Malayalam cinema, enhancing both filming and viewing experience.
Digital cameras, digital imaging technology and animation studios are helping filmmakers to capture nature at its naked best.However, Chandrasekhar says despite Malayalees having witnessed major agitations in Plachimada and Silent valley, their lack of exposure to environmentally disastrous projects like Sardar Sarovar, Tehri or Koodnakulam is impeding them from making films against such backdrops.
“Though there have been certain commendable attempts to depict the plight of victims of such projects, all these ended up as documentaries,” he says.
Shedding light on the perils of overdependence on corporate funding for movies, the book cites such dependence will make the filmmaker a mute spectator to atrocities against environment, which are largely perpetrated by the same corporates.
He rightly points out Indian filmmakers are more keen on exploring the inner realms or the mental strife of the characters rather than making efforts to train the camera on the natural landscape except for expediency.
The chapters dealing with films with agriculture, tribal life, and forest as backdrop provides an interesting read. Olive Books are the publishers.