Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Doing John Abraham proud
John Abraham, the legendary filmmaker, means a lot to Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. Along the alleys, darkened with age, he used to lead a group, bound in their love for good cinema.
His friends cannot shrug themselves free from the memories of John, as he was known in his circle, and their endless discussions. It is now time to pay tribute to the cause to which John had given his life — good films.
On Sunday, a meeting of the old group was convened at Pallathu Raman Memorial Hall at Fort Kochi Veli and screened Amma Ariyan and Agraharathile Kazhuthai, films that earned John a permanent stature among world masters.
"We are trying to form a film archive, in association with Media Study Centre, Kozhikode. The archive currently has around 300 film classics, which are being transferred to CD format. This includes films by masters like Fellini, Eisenstein, Chaplin, Passolini and Ghatak," said E.P. Joseph, one of the members.
Besides films, the group has also managed to collect around 20 documentaries and 20 short films. Messages have been sent across like-minded for gathering titles for the archives.
This attempt, the group believes, will also bring back to life the lost culture of good films. Four film societies in the district were represented in the meeting. Members of many more associations that have long been wound up were also there.
"We will provide films not just to societies, but also to individuals. All we want is to bring back the culture of screening and discussing good films," said Mr. Joseph.
The group is more interested in revamping the sense of commune than establishing yet another group inspired by John's memories. There will be monthly screening of films. "The film society movements have become islands now. We would like to be bridges, linking these individuals efforts spread over the State," he added.
The group, which has 80-odd members, also has plans to buy a CD player to exhibit films. There cannot be a better tribute to John Abraham, who always stood with the laymen and worked with them, while upholding the cause of good films. It is more befitting that the movement is centred at Fort Kochi.
Anand Haridas
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
|
