Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

The fine art of cinema

The Coimbatore Cinema Club wants its members to learn film appreciation

PHOTO: K. ANANTHAN

REEL LESSONS For film buffs

The cinema is everywhere around us. In office, at schools and colleges, during family functions or even while travelling, cinema is used as a mode of entertainment. We sing film songs, dance to their tunes and constantly discuss them. But how much do we really know about cinema?

This is where the Cinema Club of Coimbatore steps in. As Kamala Kannan, the president of the club puts it, "our aim is to create awareness in the audience, discuss the films with them and help them comprehend the finer points." The Club screens films in schools and colleges and the response has been tremendous. Post-screening the club routinely initiates discussion with the students.

Good response

According to K. Sekar, the treasurer of the club, "we have got an excellent response from the students, especially young children. We screened a foreign film depicting the love and affection between a boy and his grandmother. At the end of the show most of the children despite not knowing the language, said that they remembered their grand mother." Kamala Kannan adds, "It is not only about getting people aware about films, we also want filmmakers, who are in the starting point of their careers to understand the nuances of filmmaking and learn how to create good films. We want the present-day students to take interest and get their basics right."

Recently, they screened the Tamil movie, Mahanadhi. Kavingar Puviarasu reviewed the movie while Novelist Nanjil Nadhan gave tips to the future filmmakers.

"Don't go after the mystic deer, was Kamal's message in the movie Mahanadhi," says Kavingar Puviarasu. "In the film, Krishna relocates to the city to earn more money, own a Benz and educate his daughter at Church Park Convent. And he faces the consequences of his actions. The important characters in the film are named after the various rivers in India. The Cauvery water problem is dealt with in a symbolic way. The daughter of Krishna is named Cauvery. Later a prostitute in Kolkata, where the Ganga flows as the Hooghly, rescues her. Here, Kamal brings about the importance of the `linking of rivers'."

A message

Nanjil Nadhan advises the future generation of filmmakers against propagating vulgarism.

Asked about the failure of novel-based films, he responds, "In India the distributor wants six songs, four fights and a comedy track. How can the story be told in the remaining 30 minutes?" Is a message needed for the society through the cinema? "Yes," says Puviarasu. "Even when you do movies with commercial interests, there has to be a message in the film. The film should touch the feelings of the viewers and there should be some human value in it."

He suggests, "Try making short-films using popular short stories. Gradually, you can venture into bigger movies."

Gladius, a senior member of the club also urged the youngsters to read more novels and short stories. "To become a creator of art, we should indulge ourselves in the art and equip ourselves with the knowledge of other works, but we should also try to be good human beings. Observe and relate to what is happening around you. Then try to become good directors."

Member, T George, maintenance in-charge in ALSTOM Project India Limited says, "I am passionate about film and filmmaking and I enjoy such screenings." S Savitha a senior of Kamala Kannan in Visual Communication class at Hindustan College wants to do documentaries.

She says, "I learnt so many things from Kavingar Puviarasu and the others." Currently there are 45 members in the club. The annual membership fee to the club is Rs. 250.

For details contact Kamala Kannan at 99944-11776 and K Sekar at 99947-77117.

The Coimbatore Cinema Club now plans to deal with script-writing in films. It will be screening an award-winning film from Pakistan called Khamoshpani.

S. SUJATHA

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