Hong Kong filmmaker Ann Hui (right) receives the Life Time Achievement Award from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the presence of actress Shabana Azmi (far left), Kerala State Film Academy interim president Prem Kumar, Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Saji Cherian. The 29th International Film Festival of Kerala at Nishagandhi Auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. , Photo Courtesy: Nirmal Harindaran
Calling on filmmakers to make diverse films that reflect social realities to counter attempts to present a monolithic viewpoint, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has cautioned against attempts by corporates to dictate content. He was speaking after inaugurating the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) at the Nishagandhi Auditorium here on Friday.
“It is natural that corporates will enter the film sector, but if they put pressure on making films with the aim of promoting a particular narrative or films to suit their interests, then it has to be taken seriously. This will only lead to the destruction of cinema as a medium. Cinema has evolved only when it has handled diverse subjects,” he said.
He said that IFFK has moved forward and become one of the festivals with strong political content. The festival had expressed solidarity with Palestine in its previous edition. In the last one year since then, the situation there has worsened considerably. He said, IFFK has always stood with the oppressed in bringing their plight to the attention of the wider world.
Mr Vijayan presented the IFFK Lifetime Achievement Award for the year to Ann Hui, one of the pioneers of Hong Kong New Wave cinema.
Ms. Hui said in her acceptance speech that she would like to share this award, the first lifetime achievement award given to her, with the audiences who have supported her films. “It is not just filmmakers who need to be given awards. People who understand filmmakers and encourage them to make more films also deserve it.”
Mr Vijayan also honored chief guest actress Shabana Azmi on completing 50 years in cinema. Ms. Azmi, who reminisced about attending the first edition of IFFK, said that the festival remains one of the most important festivals in India because of the audience’s penchant for good cinema.
“Filmmaking is a collaborative medium. Actors mostly escape praise because their faces are in front of the camera. But it is because of the technicians behind the scenes, who are working to enhance our strengths and minimize our weaknesses, that we are getting appreciated,” she said.
Kerala State Chalachitra Academy President Premkumar expressed his protest against the central government’s refusal to extend assistance to Wayanad after the landslide, without explicitly mentioning it.
unique offer
Golda Salem, curator of the current edition, said the team has tried to ensure that each film that delegates experience offers something unique, whether it’s a fresh perspective or a deeply resonating story.
Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian, who presided over the function, talked about the efforts made by the state government to improve the representation of women in all departments of cinema.
This year’s jury president and French cinematographer Agnès Godard said she was impressed by the large crowd participation at the festival.
The inaugural film was screened after the inauguration ceremony. i’m still here Directed by Walter Sales. In the coming week, a total of 177 films from 68 countries will be shown in 15 theaters of the capital.
published – December 13, 2024 08:17 PM IST
