The Hindu : Front Page : Film festival to reflect woes of the people: VS

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 13, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Film festival to reflect woes of the people: VS

Special Correspondent

Film fraternity pays tribute to Mumbai terror victims

— Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

Traditional start: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan inaugurating the 13th International Film Festival of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Paying glowing tributes to the valiant soldiers who attained martyrdom in defence of the nation and the innocents who lost their lives in the recent terrorist strike in Mumbai, the 13th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) got off on a sombre note on Friday evening.

When poet O.N.V. Kurup recited a requiem ‘at the altar of memory of the fallen flowers who fell prey to the terrorists,’ scores of cineastes who gathered at the inaugural venue lit candles and expressed their firm resolve to spread the message of peace to brave such wanton acts of terrorism.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan in his inaugural address said that the festival would reflect the woes of the people who are reeling under the afflictions of globalisation and economic recession that are set to gnaw the world. Over the years the festival has grown in stature and has evolved into one which invokes the creative instincts of the film-makers in the State and abroad. He also reminded the Malayalam film fraternity that cinema was an industry which engaged hundreds of persons. The rising production cost and the alarming fall in returns are a matter of concern. Members of the fraternity should sort out their differences in the interest of the industry, he said.

Erasing boundaries

Minister for Culture M.A. Baby, in his presidential address, said that cinema had become the most popular medium. It has the power to efface linguistic, religious and geographical boundaries and etch the complexities of life. Chalachitra Academy chairman K.R. Mohanan gave a brief introduction about the films to be screened during the week-long festival. Veteran actor K.R. Vijaya was a guest of honour at the function. Forest Minister Benoy Viswom released the festival book and V. Sivankutty, MLA, the festival bulletin. Mayor C. Jayan Babu, MACTA chairman Harikumar, academy vice-chairman V.K. Joseph, secretary K.S. Sreekumar, festival artistic director Bina Paul and Culture Secretary K. Venu spoke. Artists of the Kerala Folklore Akademi gave a performance on the occasion. Palestinian film ‘Laila’s Birthday’ was the inaugural film.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page