Regional International Film Festival of Kerala ends; film buffs hail fete
Film buffs appreciated the films though there was no heavy rush as limited passes were issued and it is exam-time.
KOZHIKODE: The week-long Regional International Film Festival of Kerala (RiFFK) held for the first time in Kozhikode, evoked good response. The festival screened 53 films including 22 in the world cinema section, 9 in Indian cinema section, 6 Malayalam films and the rest under ‘Country focus-Brazil’.
Film buffs appreciated the films though there was no heavy rush as limited passes were issued and it is exam-time. The selection of films from those lauded in IFFK held last December, was also welcomed. Wajib, I Still Hide to Smoke, Newton, The Insult, The Young Karl Marx, Loveless, Shade, Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts were some of the films which won audience appreciation.
Aedan, Randuper, Karutha Joothan were the top picks in Malayalam. The documentaries; March March March and The Unbearable being of Lightness, which was censored by the central government, were also shown here.
Open forums discussed nuances of films and society. “It was nice to be part of a film festival in Kozhikode, where the maiden edition of IFFK was held in 1994. The films screened were good, though there were a few disappointments,” said Shiju. R, from Kadameri. According to A. Nazeer Babu, it would be better if more theaters were available so that more people could watch. “The same people are coming to festivals in Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode or wherever it is held. Where is the public or new faces?” he asks.
As many as 1,012 seats were ensured in Kairali, Sree theatres and 1,340 delegate passes were issued.It is learned that the success has led the State Chalachitra Academy to expand the fest to Tagore theatre also from next year. “We got very good feedback from a cross-section of people. Selection of films, open forums, commemorations, all was well appreciated,” said N.P Sajeesh, deputy director (Programmes) of the Academy.
Three shows meant for public screening at Mananchira had to be abandoned due to the unexpected rain. Actor and writer V.K. Sreeraman delivered the G. Aravindan commemoration on the final day.