Focus on women filmmakers becomes a political issue

A scene from the opening film of the 29th IFFK, ‘I’m Still Here’ directed by Walter Salles.

A window to the world may have a spotlessly clean glass, showing things as they are, or a tinted one, obscuring or distorting our perception of things. If annual film festivals are supposed to be such windows onto the contemporary world, then what festival curatorial teams choose to screen and what they choose to ignore tell us much about the worldview that is presented. An attempt is made to reach the audience. ,

At a time when some of the major film festivals in the country have been in the news, for the things they put out as well as the things they did not so altruistically, the 29th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), in its Like previous editions, there is a whole lot of buzz ahead of its opening on Friday.

‘female gaze’

On top of this is the focus on women filmmakers, with 52 of the 177 films at the festival this year being directed by women, including those who have released their films through a program funded by the Government of Kerala to promote women filmmakers. Have made. Special package of films titled ‘Female Gaze’. The festival jury will also be chaired by a woman – French cinematographer Agnès Godard and the IFFK Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Hong Kong filmmaker Ann Hui, the first woman to be selected for that award. This focus seems appropriate in a year when, following the tireless efforts of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), K. After the release of Hema Committee report, there was a big shock in Malayalam cinema.

Early film I’m Still Here

opening film i’m still hereDirected by Walter Salles (Motorcycle Diaries, Central Station), based on a woman’s search for her husband, a dissident who disappeared under the military dictatorship in Brazil in the 1970s, is also expected to set the political tone of the festival. Is. Palestinian film inclusion Teacher It also shows the festival’s unwavering stand on the occupied territory. Decision to give Spirit of Cinema Award to Payal Kapadia, Grand Prix winner at Cannes for partly-Malayalam film We imagine everything as light Also a key figure in the 2015 FTII protests, also makes a political point. Especially considering how the all-member selection committee for India’s Oscar entry found the film “not Indian enough”.

This year’s IFFK will feature a retrospective of South Korean filmmaker Hong Sang Soo, who redefined the word prolific by making 30 films in 29 years, including this year’s two. Other contemporary masters whose films are to be screened this year include Olivier Assayas, Jacques Audiard, Jia Zhangke and Miguel Gomes. Given the accolades it has already received at major festivals, the Festival Favorites package is sure to be in high demand. Armenia will be the country of focus in the centennial of Armenian cinema, with a package of films and discussions on the country’s film heritage at the Open Forum.

The competition class looks quite strong. Audiences will also get a first glimpse of some exciting new voices in Malayalam and Indian cinema, while restored classics will bring back the pristine glory of seven films from the past. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the festival at a function held at Nishagandhi Auditorium on Friday.