The Hindu : New Delhi News : A celluloid view of freedom struggle

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Friday, Aug 10, 2007
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New Delhi

A celluloid view of freedom struggle

Swatantrata Filmotsav brings a taste of patriotism for Indian youth

The Films Division of the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry is bringing for the youth of the country a unique film festival, giving them a celluloid view of India’s freedom struggle and Independence.

The four-day ‘Swatantrata Filmotsav’ opens at the Capital’s Siri Fort Auditorium this Saturday. It will chronicle the history of the freedom movement, including the first revolt against the British.

“The aim is to bring to life the names, faces and events seen in the history books through this four-day-long film festival,” said Films Division chief producer Kuldeep Sinha. “Through this festival one will get a clear idea about the freedom struggle of India and care has been taken to screen quality films including multiple Oscar winner ‘Gandhi’ of Richard Attenborough; ‘Sardar’ -- a film on the Iron Man of India -- by Ketan Mehta; and ‘Nehru’ by Shyam Benegal. We are also planning to take the festival around the country depending on the response we get in Delhi. These are thought-provoking documentaries, soul-stirring feature films that will recreate the history in the minds of viewers.”

The festival also presents a who’s who of the freedom movement. It will also screen a film that talks about the unknown freedom fighters.

The films and documentaries one must wait for include ‘Lokmanya Tilak’, ‘Mahatma’, ‘Call for Swaraj and Swadeshi’, ‘Veer Savarkar’ and ‘A Song for Birsa’.

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

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