At any international film festival, the presence of
international celebrities, for their glamorous or cinematic value, is
inevitable. Yet, over the years, 2014 being a point in case, the lack of celebrities
at the International Film Festival of India is letting out the fizz of one of
India’s biggest cinematic events. A look at the red carpet over various
editions of IFFI would indicate a strong national rather than international
presence, with just a sprinkling of a few iconic international names like Ben
Kingsley, Ang Lee, Susan Sarandon, Catherine Deneuve, Michelle Yeoh, Jiri
Menzel, Wong Kar-wai and Freida Pinto gracing the mega event.
Admitting to the fact that the international glamour quotient
at IFFI has reduced over the past few editions, the Union Secretary for
Information and Broadcasting, Sunil Arora, at a press conference, recently
announced plans to remedy this. “My ministry would be doing all that is
necessary to get international film celebrities to attend IFFI,” he envisaged.
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The attendance of French actress, screenwriter and director
Anna Karina at the 46th edition is one move in this direction, although the
anticipated arrival of Dev Patel may be held in abeyance.
But the moot point that is yet to be addressed is whether
IFFI has the funds to import such big names and whether such an expenditure and
effort would be worth it.
“In the first place, we have not had many big names
attending,” points out Sachin Chatte, film critic and curator of Sunaparanta
Film Club. “One of the main reasons is the time of year the festival is held
and, more importantly, the amount of funds required to get these big names
here. I think the important question for all movie buffs is – if you spend a few
crores to get these big names here, would it be worth it? And secondly, do you
want glamour or serious personalities? I think the latter would be their
choice,” he maintains.
Voting for a change in mindset and learning important
lessons from Hollywood, renowned Goan filmmaker Rajendra Talak is confident
that Goa could become the next Cannes in the next five to six years. “I think
the IFFI is doing very well on a budget of Rs12 crores, but if we are to bring
in big celebrities, then that budget would have to be doubled. We cannot expect
big names to show up every time just to add to the ‘glamorous’ quotient of
IFFI; but over time, if we know how to go about conducting IFFI in the proper
manner, we can definitely achieve much,” he avers.
Reviewing films for the IFFI ever since it came to Goa in
2004, Les Menezes endorses a similar perspective. “It’s true that not many
significant international celebrities are attending IFFI, especially in Goa. We
are yet to see celebrities and directors of the calibre of Antonioni, Kurosawa
and Satyajit Ray who all attended the 1976 IFFI in Delhi. Why are we not
attracting stars/directors of that calibre? We have had a sprinkling of a few
iconic names and even those that have attended, they have just been portrayed
as glamour personalities. There is so much to harvest from the talent and
experience of these celebrities. Why do we not do it?” he asks.
Perhaps as Rajendra Talak envisions, Goa has the making of
the next Cannes and the flow of celebrities will be unstoppable then!
