The way Mr. Adoor's films are made really energises young people sriving hard to make good films.It gives us an insight as to how realistic films can be made.
I think it is a great shame that such distinguished filmmakers from India do not have their films available to the general public either inIndia or abroad ( I am writing from the US). The governments of countries whose filmmakers are acknowledged to be of a uniquely high caliber are generally proud to promote these films and to assist in their greater distrbution throughout the world. With the exception perhaps of Satyajit Ray, no Indian filmmaker of art films can claim to have a showcase of their available films on video or DVD for serious film lovers to purchase, unlike the ubiquitous commercial Bollywood films. Facets Video in the US (Chicago) has the film "Ankur" among a few others of notable quality, but that is about it. It is easy to find some film pride in Japan- the esteemed Akira Kurasawa's films are available for purchase or rent at almost every shop in most cities in the US and Europe.
I think by giving Adoor the honour ,it is has vindicated that Indian cinema is not 'Bollywood centric'.Rather there is more to Indian cinema than song and dance trash sequences churned out. It is high time the Indian government projected the right image at the Cannes Film festival where the intellectuals are replaced by nachnewallas and nachnewallis!!! Atleast then will the world will start appreciating the true colour of Indian cinema.
The interview is good. But the film maker has a negative attitude towards the society. He credits the society with lesser intellectual capcity than him. This is not a desired thinking. Instead of sitting on his thrown of intelligence, he should get to the mass and teach them how to enjoy good movies.
Apart from his standing as one of India's greatest ever movie makers, Adoor Gopalakrishnan's social comment through his movies reflect his deep understanding of the society he lives in. I wonder how and when Adoor would construct a movie to show us the terrible consequences India had to suffer as a result of the sectarian politics. Given his track record I hope it wouldn't be long before he is ready with a political classic.Adoor is a true hero India can always be proud of.
The interview is a frank and candid one. It has beautifully brought out Adoor Gopalakrishnan's immense creativity and subtle sensibility. His handling of social issues deeply penetrates into one's mind and keeps us pondering over it for a long time. Let him wish a long life so that we can see a lot more thought-provoking movies for years to come.
The interview with adoor is excellent. As Adoor says the International Film Festival at Delhi has become a pompous extravaganza sans substance. It has become a typical beaurocrats'show where good films are an accidental fortune.Political VIPs and the friends and relatives of beaurocrats push out film viewers from the opening and closing ceremonies.Those who are unceremoniously stranded include filmmakers and artists.The overdemeanouring Delhi Police personnel and the Ministry people and their friends walk in clusters in the inner corridors looking for the "right" kind of films.Their presence inside the auditorium with its boisterous contribution blurs the difference between a Siri fort hall and another cinema hall screening third rate Hollywood erotic thrillers.
