Date:18/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/18/stories/2006111821610300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Indo-German film festival begins

Staff Reporter

Exercise caution while making films, says Kumaraswamy

TRADITIONAL START: Minister for Science and Technology Ramachandra Gowda inaugurating the Indo-German Film Festival in Bangalore on Friday. With him are (from left) Heinz Kopp, Consul-General, Federal Republic of Germany, Chennai; KFCC president Tall am Nanjunda Setty; Gabriele Pfenigsdorf, deputy chief executive officer of FilmFernsehFonds Bayern; chairman of the Karnataka Media Academy V.N. Subba Rao; actor Tara and Evelin Hust, director, Max Mueller Bhavan, Bangalore. — Photo: K. Gopina than

BANGALORE: The seven-day third Indo-German Film Festival showcasing German and Indian culture was inaugurated at Lavanya theatre here on Friday.

Minister for Science and Technology Ramachandra Gowda, who read out Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's speech, said the event highlighted the strong relationship between Germany and the State.

Kittel's contribution

He referred to the contribution of by Ferdinand Kittel, who brought out the Kannada dictionary.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said that as cinema was a strong medium of communication, the creative minds (film directors) should exercise more caution while making films. "Films have booth positive and negative impact on the people," Mr. Kumaraswamy said.

Heinz Kopp, Consul-General, Federal Republic of Germany, Chennai, said the film festival was part of the events held to showcase the diverse culture of Germany. The event would not only succeed in highlighting Germany's culture, but also generate business for film producers of Germany and India, he said.

Friedhelm Pickgardt, managing director of Robert Bosh, Tallam Nanjunda Setty, president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, and Gabriele Pfenigsdorf, deputy chief executive officer of FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, spoke.

Oktoberfest, a German film, was the first to be screened in the evening.

This was followed by the Malayalam film Perumazhakkalam.

Film screening

Twenty-two German and South Indian films will be shown during the week. Among the German films that will be shown include Napola, a film on Hitler's regime. Among the Indian films are Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (Saturday). Kannada films that will be screened are Thutturi (Sunday), Cyanide (Monday), Beru (Tuesday), Haseena (Thursday).