Proud of IFFK's political content, says CM Pinarayi as he opens 29th edition of Kerala film fest

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted the political nature of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) as he opened the 29th edition of the state's key cultural event in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.

"It's a matter of happiness and pride that IFFK is known as the film festival with the best political content in the world," the chief minister told a crowd at Nisagandhi auditorium, comprising filmmakers and film enthusiasts from across and outside the state.

The CM pointed to the 'country focus' section of the festival to stress his point. He said the last edition of the festival had films from Palestine in the segment, while this year, the focus is on Armenian cinema, which has a history of 100 years.

"Those films deal with issues like civil war, pogrom and mass eviction. The festival thus is aiming to bring to the fore the issues of the oppressed people," the CM said. He also mentioned the importance IFFK gives to films from third-world countries.

The chief minister honoured Ann Hui, a critically acclaimed actor-director from Hong Kong, with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the IFFK at the inaugural ceremony. Versatile actor Shabana Azmi, who celebrates 50 years of her career this year, was also honoured on the occasion.

CM Vijayan hailed Ann Hui as a leading figure in the Hong Kong new wave, which redesigned the cinema in that country, while he was all praise for Azmi for her interactions beyond cinema. "Shabana Azmi is someone who responds to social and cultural issues. She is not just an artist but an activist, too. She has contributed much to upholding secular values," he said.

In reply, Hui thanked the IFFK for finding her a place alongside the thespians of world cinema who have received the honour in the past. Azmi, who remembered attending the first edition of IFFK held in Kozhikode, credited the quality of the audience for the continued success of the event.

Culture Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan chaired the inaugural event. School Education Minister V Sivankutty, Food and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil, V K Prasanth MLA, KSFDC chairman Shaji N Karun, Samskarika Kshemanidhi Chairman and Director Madhupal, Culture Department Director Divya S Iyer, Chalachitra Academy chairman Premkumar and executive director C Ajoy were among those who attended the event.