The 15th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) entered its penultimate day on March 4th, 2024, with a thrilling mix of film screenings, panel discussions, and seminars.
Highlights of Day 4:
- A diverse cinematic experience: The day offered a curated selection of films from various genres, promising to challenge and inspire audiences.
- Remembering Mrinal Sen: A special tribute was held for the legendary filmmaker Mrinal Sen. Jury member Shekhar Das spoke about Sen’s significant contributions to Indian cinema, highlighting five of his most acclaimed works: “Interview,” “Akaler Sandhane,” “Bhuvan Shome,” “Kharij,” and “Oka Oori Katha.” The session also featured renowned jurors Meghachandra Kongbam and Viera Langerova, along with filmmaker Uttam Kamati (“Kherwal”).
- Directors’ Panel Discussion: Several directors, including Sounak Kar (“Bird Thief”), Aneesh Anwar (“Raastha”), Selvakumar (“Bumper”), Malay Kumar Roy (“The Missing Boy”), Ganesh Raj (“Pookakaalam”), and Rajni Basumatary (“Gorai Phakhri”), interacted with the media alongside Artistic Director Seshadri.
- Ganesh Raj spoke about his film “Pookaalam,” which explores emotional trauma and generational divides.
- Mr. Ganesh Roy championed the importance of supporting local language films in Kerala, urging for increased government and OTT platform involvement.
- Ms. Rajni Basumatary highlighted the critical role of tribal films made in native languages to preserve and promote communities and cultures, even for minority languages.
- The session concluded with a thought-provoking question about potential issues faced by non-tribal filmmakers working in tribal languages. Sounak Kar emphasized the importance of inclusivity and equality by advocating for open access for filmmakers regardless of their background.
- Masterclass on Visual Storytelling: Renowned filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli, along with producer/cinematographer Ramachandra, production designer Shashidhar Adapa, and cinematographer G.S Bhaskar, participated in a masterclass titled “VK Murthy Memorial Masterclass.” Moderated by P.Sheshadhari, the session emphasized the crucial role of visual storytelling in enhancing the cinematic experience.
- Panel Discussion on Film Criticism: An interactive session explored the topic of “Contribution of the Film Critics in Understanding Films as an Academic Discipline.” The panel comprised prominent figures like VK Joseph, N Vidyashankar, MK Raghavendra, Prof. Manu Chakravarty, Ashok Rane, Dr. Rwita Dutta, and Prof. Piyush Roy. Key takeaways included:
- The term “film critique” is often misunderstood in India due to limited awareness surrounding film and media studies.
- Collaboration between film critics and universities can enhance filmmaking education and audience engagement.
- While film critiques can offer valuable insights, audiences should prioritize personal interpretations and appreciate the multifaceted nature of films.
Overall, Day 4 of the 15th BIFFes was a stimulating and enriching experience, offering a unique blend of cinematic exploration, industry discussions, and insightful dialogue.
