Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

‘Of the People’ an attempt to spark political consciousness, says director

Social issues: Jayaraj addressing mediapersons at the Press Club in Thiruvananthapuram.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ‘Of the People’ portrays the suppressed reaction of the youth to the contemporary political and social situation in Kerala, director of the film Jayaraj has said.

Addressing reporters at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, he said the film was as such a reaction to violence as a criticism of current politics. “The film tries to remind the people that the youth are still the only hope in a society marked by decadent politics.”

Mr. Jayaraj said the film was timed so as to make every communist think about the impact of the changes happening to the communist movement in Kerala.

“At a time of peak political activity, when the CPI (M) organisational elections are on, it is not surprising that the protagonists have been linked to the party leaders. There has been no attempt on my part to highlight any particular leader. Any resemblance is coincidental.”

Mr. Jayaraj said that ‘Of the People’ was not an effort to identify the rights and wrongs in current politics. “I have not taken sides. The film is a reaction to the political situation, yet it does not draw any conclusion.”

Pointing out the Che Guera T- shirts worn by the actors, he explained that it indicated the growing hostility to U.S. imperialism and American lifestyle all over the world.

Mr. Jayaraj said the student movement in Kerala had lost its fervour. “There was a time when the ruling class and the political leadership feared and respected student organisations for their sharp reactions to situations. Many of the current political leaders were honed in this atmosphere. But today, students lack the fire and enthusiasm to react to current issues. They are only interested in securing a safe job.”

Justifying the violent reaction portrayed in the film, Mr. Jayaraj said, “A spark of violence may be needed to goad a society into action. We have seen this happen all over the world.”

He said the film had elicited a good response from the viewers. “The political element may have helped to enhance the appeal,” he said.

Cinematographer Tanu Balak, who also sings in the film, and actors Sreekumar Sreyas and Govind were present.

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