Date:19/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/19/stories/2008031950250200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

A glimpse into freedom struggle

Staff Reporter

Film fete opens at Dr.M.G.R. Film and Television Institute

CHENNAI: A two-day film festival on the freedom struggle movement opened at Dr.M.G.R. Film and Television Institute, Taramani, on Monday.

Hosted by the Chennai branch of the Central Films Division, the festival had short documentary films depicting the independence movement.

It has been organised to commemorate the completion of 150 years of the freedom struggle movement.

Beginning from the first War of Independence in 1857, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to the historic transfer of power from the British in 1947, the films recorded the events with actual footage shot during British rule. The 10-20 minute long films were screened in English, Hindi and Tamil.

Rare shots

A. Srinivasan, chief branch manager, Central Films Division, said the films recorded rare shots such as flag hoisting by Jawaharlal Nehru to celebrate Indian independence, the Quit India Movement and national leader Subhash Chandra Bose’s speeches.

These films were shot by the Films and Publication division of the British regime.

The objective of the festival in Film Institute was to educate students on the technical aspects of documentary film-making during those years and provide a better understanding of the freedom movement, he said.