"Revamped open forum is a new cinematic experience"

Kerala is like a second home to me as I was surrounded by outstanding filmmakers from the State while studying at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, said Tom Alter, actor. He was speaking at a ‘Meet the Director’ session, held on the third day of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) at the Kairali Theatre on Sunday.

Representing the film, Cheekha (The Crier), along with the Director, Adeyapartha Rajan, Mr. Alter described the effort that went into its production. “It was made with faith, hope and passion and the making of the film was even more rewarding than finally watching it,” said the actor. Director Adeyapartha provided a gist of the story. The film’s first screening was at 6 p.m. at the Sreekumar Theatre.

Biju, director and the third panellist, noting the scattered audience at the Kairali theatre, said ‘Meet the Director’ perhaps reflected the reduced scope for conflict and raking up of controversies in the new avatar of ‘Open Forum’. “I believe it is for the better as the prime purpose of such festivals is to present a cinematic experience to the people,” said Dr. Biju who holds the distinction of being one of the four filmmakers whose Malayalam productions were screened at the Cannes International Film Festival.

His film,

Akashathinte Niram was screened earlier at Sree Theatre.