The 45th International Film Festival at Goa

A film festival has been likened to  a sort of gladiators' arena, where Directors and Actors have to be ready for criticism irrespective of their past performances and stature on the world stage . A somewhat similar is the fate of organisers of film festivals. While the organisors put their heart and soul into organisation and planning accompanied by brainstorming  on ways to innovate , there is always some scope for criticism at the hands of media. audience and also residents of the host city . International film festival at Goa (IFFI) is no exception.

The Opening Ceremony

The Chief Guests

The 45th edition of IFFI at Goa which opened with usual fanfare on 20th November this year in august presence of the two iconic  personalities of Indian cinema Amitabh Bachhan and Rajnikanth representing the cinema for Hindi and non Hindi films, at the very early stage appeared to be losing steam due to absence of celebrities specially from bollywood film industry. The opening ceremony dominated by  colourful imitation of dances from Indian films as well as the longish speech from chief guest Amitabh Bachhan liberally adorned with pieces of hindi poetry served to the konkani speaking and foreign audience  also had it's comic moments when one of the distinguished dignitaries had a memory loss while trying to recall the name of Rajniknth who was conferred with lifetime achievement award in the ceremony.The crowd predominately comprising of youngsters had waited patiently braving the overcrowded venue, to see their favourite star Rajnikanth on stage and the excitement reached it's fever pitch when Amitabh and Rajni embraced each other on stage.

the Macqueniz  Palace Complex 

THE ESG Office

The IFFI which is hosted jointly by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt of India and Entertainment Society of Goa ( ESG-an agency set up by Govt. of Goa) has come a long way since it was first hosted at Goa in 2004 under imaginative arrangements worked out by Moanohar Parrikar the then Chief Minister of Goa. It was a befitting farewell festival for Parrikar since after tireless struggle for seeking Goa as permanent venue the State finally succeeded in it's efforts.when the  festival Director announced in a grand manner that henceforth Goa shall be eternal home,eternal residence and eternal land for IFFI. 

The Inox Courtyard

Inox Booking Windows

The beautiful Inox Courtyard which is now the hub of all major activities connected with the Film Fest had come up with four screens the festival activities are also shared by Kala Academy theatre . Over the years Maqinez Palace Complex which houses IFFI Secretariat has developed two Mini auditoriums which cater to select categories like short films and student films. The available seats as of now are around 2500 although the demand per day may be twice or thrice of the availability.The venue for opening ceremony had been shifted Dr SP Mukherjee Stadium recently inaugrated for Lusofonia Games at Goa University.  But the huge stadium with seating capacity of  four thosand was soon bursting at seams due to usual tendency for generous  distribution of  of VIP Passes.

Decorated Court Yard at Kala Academy

The major intake for the festival is in the  Dinanath Mangeshkar theatre at Kala Academy which has capacity of around 1000 seats. The Kala Academy located on banks of Mandovi river has a theatre with unique features designed by Charles Correa in 1969. The surroundings and  colourful decorations add glamour to the International Festival .  A number of film fans get to see old popular indian films in open air theatre at adjoining Campal grounds.

Inside the KA Theatre

View of Mandovi River from Kala Academy

Delegates taking a break

Permanent venue for  the IFFI has been a regular bone of contention between Govt. of Goa and Govt. of India.  Govt. of Goa has been regularly asserting it's claim for the IFFI being assigned to Goa on permanent basis .The claim is based on the excellent infrastructure, locational advantage and keenness of Goa Govt. to develop a permanent venue for the festival. Other major international filmfests are also assigned to specific venues. The Directorate of Film Festival and Ministry of I & B have however been keen to maintain a state of uncertainty year after year. A positive development which took place in this festival was assignment of IFFI to Goa on permanent basis.

In the the initial stages of IFFI Goa the criticism centered around non availability of seats and cornering of large number of delegate passes by persons not truly involved with the film activities. Subsequent linkage of ticketing through computerised software has substantially mitigated criticism on that aspect. Every delegate card holder is entitled to book three tickets on each day of the festival. The delegate cards can be obtained online from ESG website against registration fees of three hundred rupees.

The Film Fest is held from 20th to 27 Nov. when the weather is at it's best in Goa. The  Panjim city is all decked up for festival with imaginative decorations and lightings . Goa a place connected with fun and frolick with cruise boats and casinos adds up to the feeling of festivities . 

 

Fans at DNM Theatre

Banks of River Mandovi

The IFFI has now added new activities such as " Master's class " for budding film makers and open forum where major achievers in the world of film making interact with film enthusiast to share knowledge and evaluate feed back on various aspects of film making. The festival also has a fair share of retrospectives on masters of Indian and world  Cinema.

Posters exhibition by National Film Archives Of India

 A number of allied activities like Film Bazar and exhibition organised by National Film Archives Pune show casing the film posters,  exibhition of cameras used in film making  add to the attractions in the festival.The exhibition organised by NFAI Pune this year added new display formats to include musical highlights of the films.

Exhibition OF Cameras

 The country focus in this festival was on China . The Festival provided an opportunity for witnessing the skills of some of the brightest Directors in China and showcasing brilliantly made films like Finding Mr. Right, Silent Witness and  American dreams in China.The opening film  The President too was a carefully selected work of art. The Director Mohsen Makhmalbaf from Iran who was present for interacting with audience explained as to how the film seeks to provide a way out from the present day political complexities which have gripped many nations after overthrowing of dictatorial regimes. Makhmalbakh's film reminded the audience about the need for finding a non violent and democratic way of governace and after watching his film and hearing about his own experience none could  disagree. 

Charms of Arunachal Opening up to the world

GANGA LAKE ITANAGAR

On getting posted to Arunachal  Pradesh one  starts wondering as to why the State does not have a Train link. As of now Guwahati is the last airport/railway station  and thereafter for reaching Itanagar the State Capital  it is a six hours journey by road or a bumpy ride in chopper which has to be booked sufficiently in advance. 

CHOPPER ARRIVING AT ITANAGAR HELIPORT IN DENSE CLOUDS

While both the modes of travel have a lot to offer by way of exposure to natural beauty and moments of excitement yet the traveller  has to spend extra time since one is normally required to make a halt at Guwahati guest house due to flight timings. Some of the pockets on road route from Assam are not meant for journey after dusk.Therefore a passenger from Delhi reaching Guwahati after 4 PM would start the road journey only in the next morning.

A WAY SIDE TEMPLE

Logistic difficulties have kept Arunachal beyond  access of regular travelers and tourist. The State besides natural beauty is home to several maonstries including Tawang Monastry which is the second largest monastry in the world.

VIEW OF ITANAGAR TOWN

ITANAGAR MONASTRY

VIEW AT SUNRISE AT TAWANG

Very little information about the natural beauty and flora and fauna of the place is available to average Indian. Spread over 6000 sq kms  Arunachal is home to 27 major tribes each having different anthropological history and cultural orientations.

It is considered to be among the top 10 biodiversity hotspots of the world being located at trijunction of three different climatic regions. I recall that while writing a review of the book Arunachal a Hidden Land authored by Mamang Dei an arunachalese authoress of repute, the legendary Khushwant Singh had observed  that before reading the book he himself knew only as much about Arunachal as could be written on back of a postage stamp.

VIEW OF TAWANG TOWNSHIP

The locals affectionately call their State land of " khusi khusi " since life was till sometimes back simple and everyone was happy.The tribal festivals and fairs which are unique to each tribe regularly follow in a chain. However even today the State which is home to thousands of flowering species,hundreds of varieties of orchids and medicinal plants and being gateway to exotic places like Tawang and Namdapha wild life sanctuary has by and large remained unexplored.

GUEST HOUSE AT NAMDAPHA NATIONAL PARK

However some recent developments were quite heart warming for all Arunachal lovers since it appeared that Arunachal was at long last giving up it's solitude. The first development of consequence was opening of Railway link from Assam to State capital Itanagar and second development concerns success  of a popular rock music festival at the town of Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh which saw participation of music lovers from all over the North East in a grand fashion.

The first development concerning connectivity was culmination of long drawn efforts by State  Govt and the Indian Railways. State has been considering various options for improving the accessibility including setting up of a green field Airport and establishing train link through hilly tracts from Guwahati. The railway link which got in full swing after a visit by former Prime Minister in 2009 has been under implementation for a long time . After overcoming the difficulties in land acquisition process and tackling the the natural obstacles involved in the 190 km route from Assam to Naharlagun located at 15 Kms from Itanagar in Arunachal the turning point was finally reached when the train link up to Naharlagun Itanagar was completed in April this year.

EXOTIC FLOWERING VARIETIES

STATUE OF PAHALWAN WHICH IS A LAND MARK OF NAHARLAGUN TOWN SHIP

 It was a happy development for all Arunachal lovers and for those who had been to Arunachal in course of call of duty, since while leaving the beautiful State every Govt employee had felt an emotional urge to return to the place some day to once again savour the delights of nature with which the State has been lavishly blessed.The train link was formally declared open in April this year. Indian Railways soon announced their intention to start operating Shatabdi and Rajdhani Trains up to Itanagar. 

However there have been certain teething troubles with the project. The State population needs to be given adequate safeguards against influx of outsiders to shield it against exploitation by unscrupulous traders and settlers. There is presently a system of permits to take care of unchecked inflow of outsiders. This system shall have to be reinforced in context of accessibility through rail route.While the train connectivity remains temporarily suspended it would be welcome if the difficulties are sorted out quickly in the best interest of the State.The charm of hidden land would then be for everyone to share.

Regarding the other happy development it may be added that Ziro is a town located at approximately 170 kilometers from the capital city Itanagar.It is one of the oldest towns in State and has been on list of contenders for world heritage site The place is accessible by road and chopper. The Ziro valley is home to colourful Apatani Tribe which follows a unique practise of making facial tatoos .Because of transportation difficulties  the beautiful Ziro valley with it's charming tribe has also remained a hidden piece of paradise. However winds of change have been creating some openings recently. 

For past several years based on the initiative taken by local music lovers a rock music concert known as Ziro Music Festival has blossomed into a major cultural event. Music lovers and performers reach the valley in motorbikes after travelling upto North Lakhimpur or Guwahati in Assam. Organised in September this year the Festival saw participation from more than 30 rock groups.

VIEW OF ZIRO TOWN

The town of Ziro has in a very short period set up several hotels with class facilities . The organizers also set up a camp city which offers interactive environ ment friendly option for stay.The rapidly growing popularity of the festival and the initiative taken by local enterpreneurs is another sign of hidden land opening up to the world.