Most of the non-feature films selected for the Panorama section
in this year’s International Film Festival of India (IFFI) have a very high
emotional appeal since they have been made from the heart, the jury members
said here on Monday.
“Technique is a very important aspect of
film making. But equally important is the content and its appeal. We screened
42 films for the Indian Panorama Non-Feature Film section. Of these, we had to
select 20. Most of the films that we saw were very well made. But there were
some films that had very high emotional quotient as they were made from the
heart. So, all the jury members unanimously decided to select such films which
had a strong content and not just good technique,” chairman of the jury, Oniam
Doren said.
Citing the example of the opening film in Indian Panorama,
Non-=Feature Film section, The Show Must Go On, Doren said that this film is
about the aging icons of Parsi theatre who return to the stage for one final
curtain.
“This is a very beautiful film that explores human emotions,
laughter, sorrow and even excitement. We know how the Parsis love to live their
life to the fullest. While it has a lot of humour in it, there is an element of
sorrow as tragedy hits the theatre group on the eve of the play. We wanted to
select a film that would set the tone for IFFI. Immediately after watching the
film, we unanimously decided that this should be the opening film,” he said.
He also cited the example of another film titled Clinton, which
is set in Kalimpong, near foothills of Darjeeling, in West Bengal.
“This film has an innocence and element of human kindness. It is
perhaps one of the best films of 53rd IFFI. These films will draw the audience
towards non-feature films, which are as interesting as feature films,” he said.
Jury member, Sanskar Desai said that while selecting films for
the Panorama section, all the just members watched the entries together and
selected the films unanimously.
“The films selected are very diverse in terms of its setting and
language. Sometimes, what comes out from the heart overtakes technique. So, we
selected a lot of films that spoke from the heart,” he said.
Another jury member, noted actor and voiceover artist Harish
Bhimani said that being on a jury and watching a lot of films is like being on
a 15-day intellectual remand.
Jury member Rakesh Mitta said that it was a very delightful
experience selecting the films. “There is a very good Manipuri film as part of
the Non-Feature Film section in Indian Panorama.
Manish
Saini said that if given an opportunity, he would love to be part of this
process again.
