Noisy scenes at IFFK forum

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 31. An Open Forum held here this morning at the Sixth International Film Festival of Kerala witnessed altercations between film society activists and some of the delegates.

When the delegates spoke about the reported organisational lapses of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, the members of the Federation of Film Societies of India, which got up the Forum, replied that they were not qualified to answer the allegations. "Our role is only to provide you a platform to air your views about cinema and the festival," the Federation said.

Earlier, inaugurating the Forum, Mr. Istvan Gaal, jury chairman and Hungarian film director, said festivals such as IFFK went a long way in preserving the tradition of cinema.

He did not deliver his scheduled lecture on European cinema, saying he had not "prepared" for it. The Culture Minister, Mr. T. K. Ramakrishnan, released a journal, `Twenty-four Frames', published by the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association, handing over its copy to Mr. Gaal.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. K. P. Kumaran, film director, pointed out that the cultural scene was witnessing a strange kind of overlordship.

"The State and National Film Awards have reflected this trend. It is sad that this is happening in the State when the Culture Ministry is headed by Mr. T. K. Ramakrishnan, who had been in the forefront of the fight against overlordship."

The Culture Minister replied that the Government had no role in deciding the State awards. "The controversies that follow the announcement of the prizes every year seem to suggest that have I played a role in the jury decision. This is wrong. Often, I come to know about the award-winners only during the press conference to announce their names."

He cited the LDF Government's initiatives to promote cinema, such as the credit card system of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation and the improved subsidy for films.

After the Minister left, Kulathoor Mithran, film producer, described the subsidy as a "hoax". "The subsidy for a children's film I had produced three years ago, is yet to be released. As for the awards, they have been highly politicised."

When the discussion became noisy, Mr. K. P. Kumaran called off the meeting.

The Cultural Affairs Minister, Mr. T. K. Ramakrishnan, releases a journal published by the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association at an Open Forum held in the city on Saturday, handing over its copy to Mr. Istvan Gaal, IFFK jury chairman.

Mr. Istvan Gaal, IFFK jury chairman, speaks with Mr. Joshi, film director, about a journal published by the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association. Mr. Shaji N. Karun, chairman, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, and Mr. K. P. Kumaran, film director, look on.

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