Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi will head the jury for the international competition at the 23rd International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) to be held here from December 7 to 13. Majidi’s film Muhammed - The Messenger of God is likely to be screened at the festival.
In 2016, the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry had denied censor exemption for the screening of the film at that year’s edition of the IFFK. Though no specific reason was cited, the move was reportedly made to avoid controversies that may arise from the screening of the film. The 2015 film, set in the sixth century, revolves around the childhood of Prophet Muhammad. A.R. Rahman has done music. The film had stirred up a controversy in quite a few countries. In India, an organisation called Raza Academy had issued a fatwa against Majidi and Rahman, and demanded a ban on the film.
Censor exemption
“We are yet to get censor exemption. But, since it was listed in the programmes for the Kolkata International Film Festival, we expect it to be cleared for us too,” said an official of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. The Academy also reportedly is planning to present the Lifetime Achievement award to Mr. Majidi. Although it was earlier announced that the award would not be presented this year owing to funds crunch, it has been decided to present the awards.
Jury members
The other members of the jury are Tamil filmmaker Vetrimaran, Marathi filmmaker Umesh Kulkarni and Filipino filmmaker Adolfo Alix Junior.
