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OneWorld.net - Sep 22, 9:02 AM ET INDIA'S ALTERNATIVE FILM MOVEMENT DEFIES CENSORS TO IMPACT CHANGE Divya Chandel, OneWorld South Asia NEW DELHI, Sept 22 (OneWorld) - A forum of over 300 documentary filmmakers is campaigning for the right to freedom of expression in India's capital, New Delhi, screening over 60 powerful films, most of which were rejected by the country's draconian censor board. Declaring September 2004 as the "Month of Free Speech," in protest against rising government censorship, the festival includes a package of 64 films revolving around the themes of communalism, destructive development, globalization, the environment, womens rights and the oppression of marginalized communities. Targeting the impressionable youth, the independent films are being screened in collaboration with academic departments and student bodies in three of Delhi's most prestigious universities ? the Delhi University, the Jamia Millia Islamia and the Jawahar Lal Nehru University. The package of 64 films was drawn from Vikalp (Alternative), a film festival that ran parallel to an International Film Festival held in India's film capital, Mumbai, in February 2004, called the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF). It screened a slew of documentaries rejected by MIFF, as a mark of protest against the mandatory precondition of censor certificates for Indian documentaries demanded by India's ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Explains documentary filmmaker Rahul Roy, "It made sense to sustain the movement (that began with MIFF) and enlarge the debate on censorship that affects not just filmmakers but the common man. A festival such as this widens our platform." The festival took-off this month with a three-day seminar appropriately titled "Resisting Censorship/Breaking Silences and Celebrating Freedom of Expression," where filmmakers, media persons, activists and students engaged in a heated debate on issues ranging from the rights of sex workers; womens movements and the media; to censorship and hate speech; privatization, censorship and the judiciary. One of the most controversial rejected documentaries on view is the poignant "A Night of Prophecy" by noted documentary filmmaker Amar Kanwar, which depicts songs of protest signifying oppression, pain and broken promises in an unequal society. Explains Kanwar, "Its a journey through different regions of India, which takes a look at its various problems as a nation like the issue of caste, class, poverty, nationality and terrorism." Kanwar is the recipient of the Golden Conch (Best Film award) at the 1998 MIFF for his film "A Season Outside." The filmmakers are protesting against India's 1952 Cinematograph Act which regulates both the production and screening of films in the country. The Act empowers a Central Board of Film Certification to decide whether a film is suitable for restricted or unrestricted viewing. Very often, the Board rejects avant garde films which depict stark social and political realities. Slamming the censorship law as "extremely draconian," filmmaker Saba Dewan says people should be given the freedom to decide what they want to see. As she protests, "A handful of people now decide what a nation of million should see. The law was introduced under the colonial regime and is outdated and archaic." Explaining the rationale behind the restrictive law, Kanwar comments that, "Political parties have vested interests in preventing the truth from coming out. This was apparent by the fact that any film critical of the government would be rejected." This is not to say that all the films screened in the festival were rejected. The MIFF accepted around 15 of them, but filmmakers withdrew them in solidarity with the rest. The Campaign Against Censorship aims to reach the widest possible community of viewers to fight against censorship of all forms. The entire collection of documentaries will also travel to other Indian cities as a package, comprising post-screening discussions and interactive dialogues with the filmmakers. "We are taking the films to whoever is interested and creating an energy for the movement," stresses filmmaker Anupama Srinivasan, one of the organisers of the event. Predictably, given their provocative themes, many of the films have triggered violent protests from fundamentalists. For instance, members of the rightwing Hindu Jagran Manch (Hindu Awareness Group) tried to halt the public screening of a bold internationally acclaimed film called "Final Solution" in the south Indian city of Bangalore this July. The documentary explores the anatomy of hate and violence between the Hindu majority and minority Muslims during the February 2002 riots in the western Indian city of Gujarat. The festival has received an overwhelming response from university students. Claims one of the organizers, "People want to see and talk about the films and college auditoriums are always packed, forcing many enthusiastic viewers to return. We feel that a healthy, social and educational movement has emerged." The filmmakers are keen to make the festival a recurring event rather than just a one-time affair. Enthuses Dewan, "We have seen such possibilities emerge where we can work with people on issues related to real life and intervene as filmmakers to make a difference." -------------------------------------------------- Courtesy:Harsh Kapoor/SACW www.sacw.net |
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| << September24, 2004 - [India Thinkers Net]Corruption & Manipur watch |
September24, 2004 - [India Thinkers Net]TRANSFER OF HONEST OFFICIAL REVERSED DUE TO PUBLIC PRESSURE >> |
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