Woody AllenThiruvananthapuram: The organizers of the 21st International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) dropped the idea of inviting American director Woody Allen after hearing his insane demand. Allen, who had agreed to attend the festival, demanded a chartered flight from the US to Thiruvananthapuram, forcing the organizers to think of other options.
This was disclosed by Chalachitra Academy chairman Kamal and vice-chairperson Beena Paul while revealing the expenses for conducting the film festival.
The academy has to arrange business class travel and give first class accommodation to guests attending the festival. The total budget for conducting the film festival is seven crores, which is not even half of the budget of the recently concluded International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa.
The organizers have asked the finance department to sanction an additional three crore rupees for conducting the festival. The organizers have to pay a sizable amount as fees for getting good films for the festival. The total amount for compensation will come to nearly one crore.
Paul claimed that IFFK is the best film festival in India and the second best in Asia. All precautions have been taken to prevent technical glitches during screening. All films, which are to be screened at the festival, are being checked at the academy’s theater in Panavila. The films will be screened after examining the technical aspects, including subtitles, sound and pictures in the film.
All theaters have 2K projectors and as per court order, national anthem will be played before each screening. However, if delegates approach the court and get a favorable verdict against this, the academy will follow it. When the national anthem is played in the theaters, all delegates, including foreigners, must stand up. The academy will seek legal advice to see if the court order regarding national anthem is applicable to Nishagandhi auditorium, which is not a covered theater.
Kamal said that some people were deliberately creating confusion by spreading rumors regarding special screening for jury members. "Separate screenings were arranged as many jury members had complained that they couldn’t watch the films calmly sitting amidst audience," he said.
Prominent film personalities and foreign delegates and technicians will be allowed to watch the film along with jury members. Mediapersons will also be allowed to watch the special screening. However, films entered for competition and films, which are allowed fourth screening will be screened only in special theaters. The film personalities will have stand in queue to see other films like any other delegate.
The organizers said they have no reservations against protest programs at the festival. "The festival venue is an ideal place for people to react and protest against any development happening in the world. Anyone can use this space to show their emotion," said Kamal. He also urged the delegates to be more interactive and asked them to take part in discussions.
