The Hindu : Kerala News : Film festivals a big draw

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala

Film festivals a big draw

Two recent international film festivals in Kozhikode proved a huge hit with viewers.

The two-day festival of international films, conducted by Viewers Circle over the weekend in Kozhikode, turned out to be a huge hit with followers of serious cinema in Malabar.

“We were surprised, and encouraged, by the response,” says O.P. Suresh, one of the organisers. “We were expecting viewers only from Kozhikode, but there were people from places such as Malappuram and Mahe.”

And those who came would not have been disappointed. For, most of the films screened were of the highest quality.

Films like ‘XXY’ (Argentina) and ‘Getting Home’ (China) would stay with you for a long time. If ‘XXY’ is a disturbing, poignant tale of an inter-sexed teenager, ‘Getting Home’ is laced with black humour at its best.

Kim Ki-duk’s ‘Breath’ (Korea) might not have disappointed his fans. The film, about a prisoner on death row and his passionate encounters with a married woman, was well-made, that too in just nine days.

Among those impressed by the film was actor Sudheesh. “I liked its theme and the performances by all the artistes,” he says. “My other favourites from the festival are ‘Getting Home,’ ‘Crossing the Dust’ (Iraq) and ‘Teeth of Love’ (China). As an actor too, I have learnt many things from this festival, especially from the performance of the lead actor of ‘Getting Home’ (Zhao Benshan).”

Ten films, from countries as varied as Russia, Brazil and Turkey, were screened.

“All the films were watched by near full houses,” says Suresh. “And we were pleasantly surprised with the gate collection too. We actually were expecting the festival to be a loss-making proposition for us, but not only did we break even, we were even able to add some money to our fund for our future projects. Although the entry was free, the viewers were free to contribute and many of them paid us sums from Rs.25 to Rs.100.”

Encouraged by the response, the Viewers Circle is planning to conduct more such festivals. “This festival has made us more confident than ever,” says Suresh.

Barely a week earlier, Bankmen’s Film Society (BFS) also conducted an international film festival at the same venue, Uco Bank

The accent of the festival was on Iranian films, but there were films from other countries too, including the 2006 Golden Palm winner from Cannes, ‘The Wind That Shakes the Barley’ (Ireland).

“Our festival was also well received,” says K.J. Thomas, secretary, BFS. “We got many new members and it is heartening to see youngsters attending festivals like these.”

P. K. Ajith Kumar

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala