THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the 24th International Film Festival of Kerala at Nishagandhi Auditorium, Friday eveining. Filmmaking and film festivals are forms of resistance against global rise in fascism and oppressive ideologies, said Pinarayi.
The minister spoke of the diversity of India - its people and landscapes - adding that “One Language, One State” was beginning to threaten it's variety steadily.
In the past, filmmaking, given its potential to stir masses, has served as weapon against oppressive regimes, the minister said. In context, the minister praised the filmmakers from Third-World countries for using the art to protest against corrupt and repressive governments.
May this festival provide visibility to such efforts at international level, Pinarayi said.
Where art is repressed, freedom cannot flourish, he said. Cinema can arouse political consciousness, senisitise people to problems around us and thereby unify us, Pinarayi added.
Minister A.K Balan presided over the inaugural ceremony. Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran was the Chief Guest. Kadannappally Ramachandran was also present at the event.
Veteran actress Sarada was honoured for her decades long contribution to Malayalam films. Pinarayi also handed a book on the history of Malayalam cinema to KSFDC Chairman Shaji N Karun.
Other dignitaries at the function included Mayor K Shreekumar, V K Prashanth MLA, District Panchayat President V K Madhu, Jury Chairman Khairy Beshara, Cultural Affairs Secretary Rani George, KTDC Chairman M. Vijayakumar, Councillor Palayam Rajan, Academy Chairman Kamal, Vice-Chairperson Beena Paul, Secretary and Mahesh Panchu.
The 24th edition of IFFK opened with Serhat Karaaslan’s psychological drama “Passed By Censor”
