Thiruvananthapuram: With just hours left for curtains to go up for the 18th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), delegates from various parts of the state and even outside, have started making a beeline to the city for a gala time.
The majority of the 8,800 delegates,which was evident from the rush for passes and festival kits at the delegates cell at Tagore Theatre.
Jithin George Mathew from Pathanamthitta is keen about the event. “Such festivals are a boon for film enthusiasts and those who are serious about film-making. We get the opportunity to watch realistic movies from various countries. This year the focus is on French movies and I am dying to see these films,'' he said.
Vidya S, another film enthusiast doing PhD at Kerala University, says IFFK is an ideal occasion to meet up with friends. "For me film festival is a serious affair as I am keen on film studies. Apart from watching works of a range of film- makers, it's also time to meet popular figures from the cine world and interact with them." she said.
This the third consecutive festival for Ahana Ranjith Balan. “For me film festival means a break from everything else for at least a week.'' she said.
Next: Shaji N Karun to miss IFFK, Swapaanam for Dubai
Shaji N Karun to miss IFFK, Swapaanam for Dubai
John Mary | DC
Thiruvananthapuram: If grief and loss have been the leitmotif of his several films, it’s a bitter-sweet moment for Shaji N. Karun as he gives a miss to the 18th IFFK to attend the Dubai film festival on Friday with his latest offering, Swapaanam.
Swapaanam (The Voiding Soul) has been selected for the non-competitive section at Dubai festival and the Berlin, later. “I was a little late in wrapping up the final print and so I have no regrets about not being there in the competitive section. It’ll be a local miss but our people in Dubai will see my film”, said Shaji Karun.
Swapaanam, starring Jayaram, tells the story of an artist’s travails. It will be screened at the Mall of Emirates in Dubai.
It’s not that IFFK honchos had turned their backs on Shaji Karun, the premier chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and IFFK executive chairman, from 1998 to 2001. Two people delivered the pass and the IFFK kit at his residence, though.
Swapaanam was indeed picked for screening at the IFFK Gala section. This happened when a concerned member stood up and demanded at a recent meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, that instead of importing masters, honour one of our own at the 18th edition.
Past IFFKs had screened retrospectives of celebrated filmmakers but Shaji Karun’s films never qualified to be in the local hall of fame.
“Don’t call this regret. Why should I let others set the agenda for me? I’ve told the organizers that I wouldn’t be one to run down the annual fest, which I too had built up, brick by brick. My baby too, let good things happen to it”, said Shaji Karun.
