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Photo: S. Subramanium

In demand Commercial films still continue to attract people compared to the parallel stuff

It’s a cosmopolitan city that loves films and enjoys the fare, whether it’s English, Telugu or Hindi. Thousands crowd the dark cinema houses in search of love, laughter, action, titillation and perhaps an elemental catharsis. For the info rmed who believe art is for arts’ sake or art is only means to an end, there are alternatives. But a miniscule section seems to be interested in the alternative. Ironically, mainstream films that won acclaim a few decades ago had now almost been forgotten and even cinema halls that screened reruns have stopped doing it. That quality Telugu film of the past combining cherished values, a social outlook and a feel for the craft is sometimes elusive. Even if it is found, a platform to share views is hard to come by.

The Vizag Film Society (VFS) has been trying to fill that gap since 2003, when it started functioning. Prior to it, Chaya, founded by former Principal of AU Engineering College T. Venugopal Rao, fulfilled the role for 15 years.

The VFS is affiliated to the Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI) and is a member of the National Film Archives of India, Pune. The FFSI in turn ties up with embassies and gets foreign films. “Being a member of the society will help us in getting films of various countries. The TV channels also do not beam such films,” says Narava Prakasa Rao, honorary secretary of VFS. The Archives has a catalogue right from Raja Harischandra, the first feature film in India produced and directed by Dadasaheb Phalke, in 1913.

VFS also got films like Parzania, not commercially screened in Andhra Pradesh. Parzania on Gujarat’s post-Godhra riots got Sarika the national award. KNT Sastry’s Kamli was also screened. Gudavalli Ramabrahmam’s 1939 classic Raitubidda is not available easily. That a film is a visual experience first and foremost can’t be disputed. But the more cerebral or deceptively simple, imaginative or artistic a film, the more are the nuances associated with the film proper and its craft. Some have a layered meaning. East European or Chinese films or for that matter films from any part of the globe have to be understood in the political, intellectual and economic milieu in which they are rooted. When Parzania was screened, there was a lively debate on the issues with sharply opposing views. Recently, an international documentary festival on water was conducted screening 16 films. Another festival on human rights is on the cards. The VFS also organized a workshop after screening Iranian film “Children of Heaven” at Visakha Government Degree College for Women.

Head of the Department of Theatre Arts in Andhra University, P. Bobby Vardhan who did a film appreciation course at Film and Television Institute, Pune, says such courses help audience understand the aesthetics and symbolism of films and aid critical appreciation of good cinema.

“To begin with, it may not be for the common audience. But once introduced to it, young audience will spread it,” he says.

Prof. Bobby Vardhan who had conducted a number of interactive sessions after the screenings, is the Chief Patron of VFS. Appreciation is important to help a departure from forgettable cinema and focus on classics or better films. For instance, Chaplin’s films have humour that make one think whereas comedy in commercial films is banal, he points out.

The VFS that started with a membership of 75 now has 150 members. Academic Staff College Director K. Ravi is its chairman and the executive selects films every month. Though more people are showing interest in joining VFS, the ASC hall can’t accommodate big number. When Malapalli was screened, it was jam-packed and additional seating was arranged so as not to disappoint old timers who turned up in a good number.

The VUDA Children’s Theatre where VFS screened its films earlier is beyond the reach because of its cost. To cater to the increased audience, the Andhra University Vice-Chancellor has been urged to spare the Assembly Hall free of cost for screenings.

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