A five-day Canadian film festival opened at Alliance Francaise of Madras, Nungambakkam, on Monday.
The festival, held after a gap of nearly four years, is being organised by Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation with the Canadian High Commission, New Delhi and Cinemas Du Monde @ The Alliance Francaise of Madras.
Inaugurating the festival, Marie Claude Mallet, Vice-Consul and Trade Commissioner, Consulate of Canada, Chennai, highlighted the similarities between Indian and Canadian film history. The first Canadian feature film ‘Evangeline' and first Indian feature film ‘Raja Harishchandra' were made in 1913.
Growing interest
While Hindi and Tamil films have gained viewership in Canada, there is a growing interest among audiences in Chennai in Canadian movies, she said. Many Tamil movies are increasingly being shot in Canada, she added.
Rejean Dallaire, representative of Herve Pomerleau International in Chennai, described the film festival as a tribute to freedom and creativity. The culture of Canadian Diaspora is as fascinating as India's, he said.
Promoting diversity
Benoit Olivier, Director of Alliance Francaise of Madras said such festivals were being organised to promote cultural diversity and also give access to different expression of arts.
E. Thangaraj, ICAF's general secretary, said a minimum of 20 such festivals are organised every year. This year, five such fests are lined up to be organised in September alone. Movies from the Netherlands, Japan and Italy would be screened at these fests. The inaugural function was followed by the screening of ‘Stone Angel.' Actors Shylaja Chetlur and Mrudula spoke.
