DOCUMENTA MADRID 2010 May 7 to May 16, 2010

Documenta Madrid is an international film festival dedicated exclusively to documentary film. It is organized by the City of Madrid and is presently the city's most widely-attended festival.The festival was born for the purpose of strengthening and disseminating the documentary genre, in so far as it understood to be a reflection of the social, cultural, economic, artistic, environmental, and other realities that exist in the world.

About Elly ,Iranian film and Fishing Platform, Indonesian film share Suvarna Chakoram in the 14th edition of IFFK.

The 14th edition of the IFFK concluded today with a colorful closing ceremony . Suvarna Chakoram awards were given away by Chief Minister of Kerala V S Achuthanandan. M.A Baby , Minister for culture was present.
The Iranian film, About Elly directed by Asghar Farhadi shared with Ravi Bharwani’s Indonesian film Fishing Platform the prestigeous Suvarna Chakoram, ( the Golden Crow Pheasant award,). True Noon, directed by Nosir Saidov got Rajata Chakoram,( the Silver Crow Pheasant Award )for the best Director and Madoda Ncayiyana’s My Secret Sky received the Rajata Chakoram for the Best Debut Director. True Noon also bagged Rajata Chakoram selected by the audience. The other awards are : A Fly in Ashes by Argentinean filmmaker Gabriela David (FIPRESCI award for the best film); Joshy Mathew’s Train in the Tenth Floor (FIPRESCI award for the best Malayalam film); Fishing Platform by Ravi Bharwani (NETPAC award for the best Asian Film in competition section); Kerala Cafe by a group of ten Directors(NETPAC award for the best Malayalam film); Harishchandra’s Factory by Paresh Mokashi (Hassankutty Award for the best Indian debut director).
The jury who decided the Suvarna-Rajata Chakoram awards was chaired by the famous Kurdish director Bahman Ghobadi with the African film critic Balufu Bakupa- Kaninda, the dancer-actor Mamata Shankar, Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage, Egyptian director Hala Khalil as members. The NETPAC jury consisted Renhua Na, Fatemeh Motamedarya and Cheran. The FIPRESCI jury was Daniela Bisogni, H N Narahari Rao and Ibrahim Ouf. Saeed Akhtar Mirza, Mohan Agashe and Anjali Menon decided on Hassankutty Award, constituted by Mira Nair in memory of her assistant director Hassankutty. Suvarna Chakoran carries a cash prize of Rs.10 lakhs. Rajata Chakoram for the best director carries Rs. 3 lakhs while the best debut director gets Rs. 2 lakhs.

Our space has been snatched away by conglomerate market forces

The colonial corporate market forces dominate the cinema culture of both Africa and Latin America, say the film directors from both the regions who participated in the open forum conducted at the sidelines of 14th International Film Festival of Kerala . Opening the discussion, noted African director June Giovanne said Hollywood films dominated the African film market and indigenous African films found it difficult to draw viewers around. ``Since film distribution is monopolised by US conglomerates , they won’t promote our films,’’ she said. Endorsing the opinion of his African counterpart Argentenian director Edwardo Spagnuolo said the cinema of his country faced the danger of double colonialism, the US colonialism on the market side and European colonialism on the cultural side. As a result 90 percent Argentinean films are entertainers. When asked about the involvement of cinema in the promotion of the ongoing mass movements there, he said there were cinemas which actively promote this aspect.Speaking on the occasion Director from Senegal, Mama Keita said the rampant corruption prevailed in African countries make things difficult. Enrique Angeleri, also from Argentina, said major colonial forces always tried to keep Argentina down the line politically, financially and culturally. ``Latin American market is enough for us and we need not go elsewhere for our survival. But the problem is that our space has been snatched away from us,’’ he said.

‘Passion, Resentment or Derision’, IFFK seminar on the 50th year of film societies

‘Passion, Resentment or Derision’, a seminar on the 50 years of formation of film societies in India, held as part of the IFFK was inaugurated by Jose Thettayil Transport Minister . Mrinal Sen was the chief guestin the seminar, which was organised by the FFSI (Federation of Film Societies of India). Adoor Gopalakrishnan, presided over the function in which film critic Aruna Vasudev, Narahara Rao (Secretary, FFSI) and Sudhir Nandgaonkar, General Secretary of the FFSI participated in the deliberations. “The State Government would provide financial assistance for film societies in Kerala; a decision in this regard is being taken by the Finance and Culture departments,’’ Minister Jose Thettayil has said.. The seminar discussed the role of film societies in promoting good films and the functioning of the organisation over the years. Adoor Goplakrishnan said that the film festivals were taking over the function of film societies. Sudhir Nandgaonkar, spoke about the present scenario of the FFSI and observed that film societies were still vibrant in South India and also Maharashtra region. He was of the opinion that more youngsters should join the film societies. The book by Narahara Rao about the history of film societies was released during the function.

'Digital technology; a new trend in cinematic aesthetics’

A seminar on 'Digital technology; a new trend in cinematic aesthetics’ was held as a programme of The 14th International film festival of Kerala(IFFK) . The seminar was inaugurated by Cheran., Director . In his inaugural address Cheran called for the up gradation of the technical quality of the cinema houses in order to bring out the real aesthetics of technologically-advanced films. B.Ajith Kumar ,Editor ,while making the key note address said the digital technology kept distance in time and space from reality. Kameela Fox, HBO co-executive producer and Padmapriya , Actor participated in the seminar

Women in Malayalam cinema

Sharmila Tagore inaugurated an exhibition titled ‘Women in Malayalam Cinema’ in 14th of International Film Festival of Kerala. Sharmila said that the Malayalam cinema industry has a great range of women characters starting from Rosy, in 1928. Actors K.P.A.C Lalitha, Navya Nair, Menaka, Sona Nair, Scriptwriter Didi Damodaran, activist Dr. N. Seema, dubbing artists Anandavalli and Bhagyalakshmi flanked the occasion.
“What we see upfront doesn’t constitute the stark reality that goes behind the lives of the women actors”, reflected Sharmila while recalling her experiences as an actor. The situations are still not favorable to women to be successful without a male patron. Women shouldn’t be viewed upon as liability by the society; she said adding that she hails from a family of three daughters.Veteran Malayalam actor K.P.A.C Lalitha said women are being reduced to decorative roles nowadays unlike in the past when they have assigned character roles with strength.Navya Nair expressed anguish over the speechlessness experienced by women in cinema. The media too plays a role in reducing women to shadows and that leads to a certain fear to come out in the public. “Accessibility to the lives of actors have made them more pretentious”, said Navya. Didi Damodaran said the women behind camera have always been very less in number comparing to the number of women in other careers. This situation has to change. Dr. N.Seema maintained that the ideology behind this gesture signifies the huge need for the women to be heard and appreciated the academy for conducting the exhibition. The exhibition is being conducted as part of the academic exercise to document the history of women in Malayalam cinema in front of camera as well as behind the scenes. Beena Paul said that the exhibition would go around the country and state, expanding with fresh elements in course of time. Art Director Sabu designed the exhibition and contributed creatively to make this exhibition unique ,

Elegant start to 14th edition of IFFK 2009

The 14th edition of international film festival of kerala started elegantly with the renowned auteur Mrinal Sen inaugurating the festival by lighting the traditional lamp along with M.A.Baby, Minister for Cultural Affairs , Kerala, , Sharmila Tagore Actor of yester years and Chairperson Censor Board , actor Madhu , Jerome Bonnafont , French Ambassador to India , Binoy Viswam , Minister for Forest , Kerala, Sasi Tharoor , Minister of State for Foreign Affairs at Nisagandhi Auditorium here .Actor Navya Nair assisted the dignitaries to light the 14 lamps representing 14th edition. 164 films from around the world are showcased in the week-long festival .Minister M A Baby presented Mrinal Sen with the Lifetime Achievement Award, instituted by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy .This is the first award conferred to Mrinalda . Oscar winning sound engineer Resul Pookutty was also honoured at the inaugural function. ''A step into the darkness'' by Turkish director Atil Inac was the opening film.
International Jury consists of Bahman Ghobadi (Chairperson), Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda, Mamta Shanker, Prassana Vithanarge and Hala Khalil. The NETPAC Jury has Renhua Na, Fatemeh Motamedarya and Cheran. FIPRESCI Jury has Daniela Bisogni and H N Narahari Rao. Hassan Kutty Award,constituted by MeeraNair , comprises Saeed Akhtar Mirza, Mohan Agashe and Anjali Menon.