Controversies are a reminder for the film buffs in the State that yet another International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is round the corner. This year has been no different, with the past weeks witnessing some noise, inside the Chalachitra Academy as well as from the film-makers over selection of films.
First came the resignation of Deepika Suseelan, programme manager of the IFFK, who has been a key member of the organising team for the past decade.
A few months ago, Oindrilla Hazra Prathapan, Deputy Director (Festivals), had resigned just before the Documentary and Short Film Festival. Both of them had cited serious differences with the top-level management, pointing fingers at the Deputy Director (Programmes) and the Secretary.
It has been a well known fact that all has not been well at the top echelons of Chalachitra Academy for quite some time.
Last year, Bina Paul, who served as the festival director for several years, right from the beginning, also quit over similar issues. It remains to be seen how the latest exit will affect the upcoming festival in December.
Outside the academy too, the scene is familiar with film-makers raising a hue and cry over exclusion and even inclusion of their films in some categories. R.S. Vimal, director of Ennu Ninte Moideen withdrew his film from the festival in protest against his film not being included in the competition films category. His film was included in the ‘Malayalam Cinema now’ category.
Film-maker Biju Damodaran, not one to mince words, hailed the ‘self-realisation’ in that withdrawal. He further said that though the ones who selected the films did not understand that they were selecting films for an international film festival, the ones who got selected have. He also expressed hope that one of those deserving films which lost out could be included in the slot vacated by Ennu Ninte Moideen .
In the coming days, we can expect more such controversies. After all, what is IFFK without all this noise, announcing its arrival.
(Reporting by
S.R. Praveen)
