Centre delays censorship exemption for 19 movies at IFFK, sparks protests, cancellations irk delegates

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has delayed censorship exemption to as many as 19 films included under different categories in the screening schedule of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). The unprecedented move from the ministry forced sudden cancellations of screenings, triggering intense protests from the delegates and film society activists.

As per the norms, films being screened in a festival are exempted from censorship. If a film has already been certified, only that version is screened at the film festivals. Those movies which do not have certification are screened at the festival, subject to an exemption granted by the Ministry of I&B.

Kerala State Chalachithra Academy sought exemption for over 180 movies this year. Academy officials said that mails granting exemption were earlier received for 154 films and another set of over 20 movies. “We received an email on Monday saying that the request for exemption was not granted for 19 films. This has upset the schedule. The Chief Secretary of Kerala and Academy chairman Resul Pookutty are in talks with the officials of the Union Ministry. We hope that the exemption will be granted,” academy officials said.

Resul Pookutty told Onmanorama that every film festival goes through this process and gets exemptions. "I&B is taking their time to evaluate each film. We have provided every detail they have asked for. I'm in touch with higher authorities, including the ministers concerned, on a minute-by-minute basis and got clearance batch by batch; otherwise, it would have affected the whole scheduling of the festival. Only a few films are affected now. I am hoping to get all films cleared by tomorrow morning," he said. 

He said that when he apprised the ministry of the facts of the festival and its schedule, they were very quick in clearing the films. "They are doing their due process, but we shall overcome this crisis. I want to request the delegates, we are doing everything in our capacity not to affect our scheduled screenings, some things are not in our control, and we want to ask them to bear with us," he said.

The office of Union Minister of State, I&B, L Murugan, told Onmanorama that the matter will be communicated to the minister and that they will get back with an official response.

Among the films which have been delayed censor exemption include old classics like the Soviet silent film ‘Battleship Potemkin’, previous winners of the IFFK like the Egyptian film ‘Clash’, the Palestinian film ‘Wajib’ and films proposed to be screened in the world cinema category and other packages.

Some of the films which did not receive censorship exemption have already been screened during the present edition of the IFFK. These films include the Palestinian film ‘Palestine 36’, which was screened as the opening film and the Spanish film ‘Beef’. A section of the delegates and CPM leaders gave a political colour to the rejection of censorship exemption, blaming the centre for curbing freedom of expression.

The list of films, however, includes movies which are regularly being screened in film schools and other festivals, like the restored version of Battleship Potemkin and the 1968 Argentine movie ‘The Hour of the Furnaces’ directed by Fernando Solanas and Octavio Getino.

Academy officials said that the cancellation of movies has major financial implications, as well. “The movies are procured for the festival, spending lakhs of rupees. If we can’t screen the movie, the money would be wasted. We don’t get compensated,” an official said.

A protest march was organised at the Tagore theatre premises on Monday, demanding censorship exemption for movies.

In 2018, the Union Ministry had delayed censorship exemption for the Iranian movie ‘Muhammad - The Messenger of God’ by feted director Majid Majidi, which was scheduled for screening at the IFFK. It was the first time in the history of the IFFK that a movie was delayed due to a censorship exemption. An Islamist group had then issued a fatwa against Majidi and the film’s music director, A R Rahman.

The censorship regulations are governed by the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The violation of provisions could invite imprisonment up to three years or a fine which can extend up to ₹10 lakh.