Wide range of films
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Classic and contemporary films will be screened at the Sixth Filca International Film Festival.
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MOVIE MAGIC: Scenes from `Achenurangathu Veedu,'
Classics along with movies made this millennium will be screened at the week-long Sixth Filca International Film Festival (June 23 to 29). Films from the Malayalam New Wave and the Pasolini Retrospective are the highlights of the festival.
`Saira,' the inaugural film directed by self-taught filmmaker Biju, dwells on a contemporary theme, the aftermath of communal violence on a family. A true feel of contemporary Indian cinema is brought to the cineaste with Aparna Sen's `15 Park Avenue,' Nagesh Kukkunnoor's `Iqbal,' Mahesh Manjrekar's `Page 3' and Jahar Kanungo's `Nishshabd.' While the first three films have earned plaudits, it is Kanungo's maiden film, an award-winner at the Osian's Cinefan Asian Film Festival, which handles a unique subject, `noise and noiselessness,' and promises a fresh approach to an untouched theme.
Notes of a flautist
The three films `Atithi,' `Swayamvaram' and `Pokkuveyil' have a special place in the history of Malayalam cinema. `Atithi' by K.P. Kumaran and `Swayamvaram' by Adoor Gopalakrishnan introduced the viewer to a hitherto unknown technique of using film as more than just a mere story-telling device. G. Aravindan relies on the notes of flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia to provide the base for the taut film `Pokkuveyil.' The Tribute section screens Adoor's `Anantharam,' which is known for novelty of theme and the narrative style adopted.
From `Saira.'
Pier Paolo Pasolini's films were never relished by the establishment in Italy. A one time Roman Catholic who later became a Marxist, his films `Decameron,' `The Canterbury Tales' and `Arabian Nights' were based on `medieval tales and celebrated the world of simple joys and sexuality.'
Interestingly Pasolini has his explanation for choosing his cast for his films.
Casting his own mother as Virgin Mary in `The Gospel according to St Mathew' and Terence Stamp as the bisexual in `Theorem' he explained thus, "I chose actors because of what they are as human beings, not because of what they can do."
Figuring among the 34 films to be screened at this festival are `Pirosmani,' `Cold Mountain,' `The Colour of Lies,' `Harakiri,' `Capote' and the Roger Vadim film `And... God Created Woman.' The prize-winning campus videos at `Filca's Campus Filmfest' held early this year will also be screened. This has become a regular feature at all the annual events of this fledgling film society.
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