[Reader-list] Fourth Posting: Film festivals, a rare date with big screen in Kashmir

[Shahnawaz Khan]

Film festivals, a rare date with big screen in Kashmir



Although the revival of popular cinema culture in Kashmir remains a distant
dream, once in a while film festivals or odd screenings in Srinagar provide
a rare chance to cine lovers in Kashmir.

A break from the drab routine, film festivals attract a cross section of the
society, but the heightened security scenario in Kashmir ensure the real
access is limited to very few.

In June an international film festival was organized at the Sheri Kashmir
International Convention Centre in Srinagar. In spite of the rare occasion
that it was, half of the seats in the auditorium were vacant most of the
times. Not because people would not have been interested in the festival,
but only because the publicity campaigns of the event on ground were
lackadaisical.

The event was open to all on papers (to be politically right), but not many
people knew about that, expect a certain class of people which includes the
journalists, academics and people in the entertainment industry.  The
limited exposure to the event suits the security apparatus of the state, as
VIP's are supposed to organize these events, hence events have to be for the
people, far the people.


As a journalist described it in a write up in one of the newspapers from
Srinagar, "Despite being an 'international film festival' no awards were
presented and only three other nations were represented, Bulgaria,
Netherlands and Australia. Kashmiri people are hungry for films on the big
screen but the half full auditorium on the second day of a so called
'festival' reveals either a lack or interest or a poorly managed marketing
and publicity campaign. It seems strange that from a population of 7
million, a hall with a capacity of 1000 cannot be filled. To celebrate the
event a cultural show followed by a 'cultural feast' was held for government
ministers involved in its creation, including Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi
Azad. Needless to say the event was VIP invite only. By showing a few films
on a big screen, labeling the event as 'international' and then failing to
publicize efficiently to locals, it seems the organizers have succeeded in
grossly misusing public funds."


  For those who however made it to the venue the festival provided an unique
opportunity of watching some classic ward wining international film
alongside the works of Kashmiri film makers. The banks of serene Dal Lake in
Kashmir are suited for such an event as it adds to the mesmerizing
experience even after you come out of the auditorium and drive along the
banks of the Lake.


An eclectic mix of international documentaries and local films were
screened. "Our aim is to increase the standing of young and budding
directors in the state and to provide access to world cinema," Majeed Asmi,
organiser and editor, J & K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages said about
the event.


The few international films that were shown received warm reception,
especially "Vietnam symphony", a tearful and heartwarming story that follows
the evacuation of the "Hanoi School of Music" during the War. Its main theme
of struggling on with normality whilst the rest of the world is in chaos
struck a note of resonance with the Kashmiri audience.


The work of budding Kashmiri professional and amateur film makers also
received warm appreciation, like the film by Abdullah Danish, a media and
mass communication graduate from Government Degree College Baramulla.
Inspired by 'moderate' faith', Danish film was on the diversity of religion
in the Kashmir valley and was the first to be screened on the second day.
"This film is about the harmonious co-existence of Baramulla's religions,"
he said afterwards. "It's a good thing to have a viewpoint from each
religion. Film can vent ideas in a format which is contemporary with the
rest of the world. Consequentially the world can become vis-à-vis with
Kashmir's problems. At the moment the world doesn't give a damn. My next
step is to create more professional work based on religious and social
issues."


The acclaimed 'Little Terrorist' was also a highlight of the festival.
'Little Terrorist' is a film about a Pakistani boy who unknowingly ventures
across the border and receives refuge from a Hindu teacher.


Emotions ran high when the short documentary about Kashmir's orphans titled
'Shenakht' was played. The film followed the story of a small boy called
'Ghazi' whose entire family was brutally slain during a militant attack in
1998; a poignant reminder that there are some 25,000 conflict orphans who
have grown up emotionally damaged, and now face limited opportunity.



Ealier this spring Srinagar's Tagore Hall suddenly saw another weeklong film
festival. The idea behind the event was not only to entertain, but also to
groom aspiring filmmakers and art lovers in the Valley. The dramatic turnout
– writers, filmmakers and students in particular – proved that the Valley's
citizens have been awaiting such an opportunity to indicate their rejection
of the fundamentalist lockhold on popular culture.


Not only had most festival-goers never attended a similar event, many had
never even been in a cinema hall. Shabir Ahmad, a college student, said that
she was more excited about the ambience inside the hall than about watching
the films themselves.

"There is a need to revive cultural activities in the Valley," He said. As
for most Kashmiris in his generation, entertainment has been – and remains –
limited to the confines of the family house.


Although there is clearly a yearning to watch films in a hall, in general
the level of danger has simply precluded going to the movies.
Fifteen-year-old Aqib did not attend the festival, and he has never ventured
into a cinema hall. With the excitement generated by the event at Tagore
Hall, Aqib says he will go to a cinema hall at least once in his lifetime.
Not only have Aqib's parents disallowed him from going to movie theatres,
they have barred him from playing in the central polo grounds in Srinagar as
well. Following school, he has to rush home before dark. But even if Aqib's
parents were to allow him greater freedom, he would not have many friends
with whom to play – their parents have all imposed similar rules.


-- 
Shahnawaz Khan
+91-9419006204 (cell)
+91-194-2412130 (R)

Address
Laigeridori Iddgah
Srinagar
Jammu & Kashmir
INDIA 190002

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