: Hit by financial crisis during the post-production of the film CR No.89 , which later won critical appreciation and honours, filmmaker Sudevan and the Pace (Platform for Arts and Cultural Excellence) Trust, Peringode, that produced the film on a frugal budget of Rs 7 lakh mailed DVDs containing their noted short films to all active film societies registered in Kerala.
An accompanying brochure offered details of the films Varoo, Planning, Randu and Thattumporathappan with a request that Rs 100 per DVD may be raised from members by way of contribution for the making of the film.
“Of the 104 registered film societies in Kerala, just about 80 respond to calls. Less than 10 of them were inclined to pay. Eventually, some friends of the trust chipped in to fund the film. After it won recognitions, we demanded Rs 10,000 from film societies for screening it. The fee for colleges was restricted to Rs 5,000. While some 30-plus parallel screenings of the film have taken place so far, many film societies were loathe to the idea of paying fees for screening it. Boycotted by cinemas and channels alike, parallel filmmakers would be forced to call it quits unless supported by societies. The fact is those who wax eloquent about the need for a film viewing culture to take roots here aren’t forthcoming to support them. They are averse to shelling out Rs 100 to watch an acclaimed creative film,” says Sudevan.
After a likely screening of CR No.89 by the KSFDC in May, he would include that too in the consignment of DVDs couriered to C-class libraries with a similar request. “It works cyclically, as our Thattumporathappan DVD sold over 2,500 units. The trust’s financial position is the same as it was at the time of planning CR No.89 . I therefore rate myself as a successful film maker, artistically and otherwise,” he says.
The principle that drives the trust is that the medium of cinema doesn’t belong to any particular section. “Anyone with a creative flame should be able to make cinema,” he said.
His biggest advantage, Sudevan insists, is that none of his films have individual producers. While contributions are sought from film-loving organisations and groups, individual contribution beyond a certain sum is not entertained. “Similarly, we make it a point to send the DVD to all those who have contributed for it.” As CR No.89 goes to the Hong Kong International Film Festival, he is set to shoot a portmanteau package of five short films.
