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In love with the movies again

A young and enthusiastic film-watching population and plummeting costs are giving a fresh lease of life to the film society culture in the city, reports RAKESH MEHAR

Watching our local heroes and heroines run around the Swiss Alps in the midst of a life of penury, you are likely to believe that little of value has been accomplished in cinema outside of the documentary field. Even the regular Hollywood fare doesn't offer much more; just slicker music and better production. Watching mainstream cinema, it's almost possible to believe that movies can never be a serious form of art that jolts you out of your smugness.

But that is where film societies step in. For the uninitiated, a film society primarily aims to promote cinema as an art form. According to N. Vidyashankar of the Suchitra Film Society, the concept first originated in Europe in the 1920s and almost everyone has dabbled in film societies — from Bernard Shaw to Orson Welles. And for those new to Bangalore, it might come as a surprise that in the '70s, a vibrant film society movement existed in the city, actively promoted by film buffs such as former president of the Film Federation of India, M. Bhaktavatsala of Sharada Movies, film director M.V. Krishnaswamy and others. Bangalore even had close to 10 film societies, each with a membership of around 500 to 800 members. And their screenings were jam-packed.

Changed city

For film buffs sighing over those golden days, however, the Bangalore of three decades later is a far cry from what it once was. After all, only three film societies are in operation today, although some say even these three are on their way out. Moreover, from a fairly thriving population of over 5,000 members, the numbers in all the film societies together have dropped to just around 1,000.

Another telling point, says Bhaktavatsala, who founded Mayura Film Society in the 1970s, is the fact that Bangalore doesn't have an international film festival of its own, despite the presence of large corporate firms looking to pump money into cultural events such as Bangalore Habba or an international film festival.

Though fingers are pointed in different directions as to this fall in popularity, what is certain is that cinema isn't the sought-after hobby it once was in the city. However, there are reasons enough not to give up hope. As the societies point out, in the last few years, there has been a gradual reversal of fortunes, as not only the societies but also the various film festivals that have stopped here along the way have begun to garner greater audiences. One of the primary reasons behind this sudden windfall has been the entry of a youth population that is not only more connected with entertainment and the media than before, but also has the financial freedom to pursue such interests.

Online presence

At Collective Chaos, which was started only lately in 2003 and is growing by close to 45 per cent each year, a significant chunk of the population consists of youth from professions such as software, advertising, BPOs and so on. Besides, what has worked well in Collective Chaos's favour is their online presence, which takes the love of cinema into a medium that the youth are most comfortable with.

Technological advancements in themselves have also aided somewhat impoverished film societies. With the coming of DVDs and digital players, not only has movies become far more accessible, they have also become far cheaper. Vidyashankar of Suchitra clarifies that while a film society is still not a viable revenue model, the economics of it are simple enough when it comes to breaking even. "At Suchitra, we have around 200-250 annual members who pay us a small fee, and that is enough for us to function throughout the year, screening at least seven or eight films each month," he says, comparing film societies to Anthony Burgess's books. "They might not generate as much volume as products of mass consumption, but that doesn't mean they are insignificant."

The result, he explains, is that film societies haven't declined but have rather found their niche. "We have now settled into a serious but not necessarily academic space."

And it is being in that niche that drives many people towards film societies. Karthik Swaminathan, who has recently discovered the joy of film societies, says: "Our world is so homogenised now that we constantly need to find something that makes different from everyone else on the street. And seeing cinema differently is one of those things."

Despite the slow, uphill progress though, there are objections that cannot be ignored. Preeti Jain, a student of filmmaking who hopes to make her own film in the next five years, points out that with most film societies, Indian cinema always seems to take a backseat to foreign. This is a trend that many others also report.

However, counters Vidyashankar, accessibility is always an issue with Indian cinema. "It's easier for me to find all of Andrei Tarkovsky's works than to find an Indian film because here films are not archived properly." Even this trend is changing gradually and Asian cinema is beginning to get its deserved space, he adds.

Another objection to film societies is that there is no movement beyond Bangalore and their reach is severely limited. While admitting that this is true, the society representatives clarify that the penetration is gradually building nowadays, with a greater awareness about cinema.

Indeed, the film society movement has been a journey of ups and downs. However, with reducing costs and increasing awareness, one only hopes that cinema can finally take its place as one of the arts, as respected as any that came before it.

In Bangalore

Although Bangalore once had dozens of film societies, at present only three societies are active:

Suchitra Film Society has its own premises complete with a small theatre in Banashankari. The organisation has a membership of around 850, and charges an annual fee of Rs. 500. Films are screened at its premises at #36, 9th Main, B.V. Karanth Road, Banashankai 2nd Stage. Call 26711785.

Collective Chaos, a more recent entrant, screens films at Centre for Film and Drama, 5th Floor, Sona Towers, Miller Road. Membership at Collective Chaos is Rs. 500 per year for general audiences and Rs. 250 for students. Their office is located at P 187, 10th Sector, 8th Main, Jeevan Bhima Nagar. Call 25203932.

Bangalore Film Society screens films every second Saturday and Sunday at Badami House opposite Corporation and at Centre for Film and Drama. Its office is located at No. 33/1-9, Thyagaraj Layout, Jaibharath Nagar, MS Nagar P.O. Call 25492774/ 25492779.

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