The Hindu : New Delhi News : Creating a new film culture

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Saturday, Jul 14, 2007
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Creating a new film culture

Madhur Tankha

Osian’s Cinefan will host other activities along with screening of films

NEW DELHI: Besides screening of a wide array of films, the ninth edition of Osian’s Cinefan, Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema in the Capital will have some other interesting features on offer.

Beginning July 20 at Siri Fort Auditorium here, the festival will host a conference on ‘Origins of Cinema in Asia’that will discuss how cinema arrived in different Asian countries and issues surrounding its growth. The subject of Asia’s early cinema is significant when seen in the light of the region’s evolving identity.

A section has been introduced at the ten-day-long festival that will showcase and debate films that highlight a specific aspect of film practice. Movies will be chosen by the curator and professionals will be invited to debate the point of view of the curator. Veteran filmmaker Mani Kaul, who is the curator this year, has produced a document on the relationship between ‘cinematography and time’

Pointing out that a plethora of films from across the world continues to inspire cinematographers to make stunning visuals, Mr. Kaul says few are able to realise a simultaneous and direct experience of cinematographic time. “Movement of the object being filmed or of the camera itself is in every respect a part of space. Motion picture is nothing but a translation of spatial fragments that build an illusion of movement. Movement reinforces space. Temporal elements such as ‘rhythm’ in a narrow and `attention’ in a broad sense, only serve to impart specific shape to movement,” says Mr. Kaul.

A seminar will also be organised during the festival in which some of the finest cinematographers will debate Mr. Kaul’s idea.

Neville Tuli, who heads Osian’s, says the festival is aimed at not merely screening a wide assortment of films but also creating a film culture in the country. “Indians as a whole are very crazy about films, but we do not have a film culture which could enable them to understand and appreciate good cinema.”

Well known film critic and festival founder-director Aruna Vasudev says films will be judged by five juries -- one each for Indian Competition, Asian and Arab Cinema, and the newly-introduced First Features.

Osian’s Cinefan has also announced an eight-day workshop titled ‘4th Talent Campus India’where 50 young filmmakers will interact with professionals from India and abroad. The purpose behind the workshop is to provide South Asian youths a forum for learning and sharing the process of filmmaking. Subjects for discussion will range from screenplay writing, cinematography, direction and understanding key issues.

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