A walk dowm the IFFK lane

IFFK is 13 years old this year. As a person who is experiencing the whole for the first time i was mesmerised by the many things that it unfolded. Other than Showcasing an array of visual experience from around the globe, it was also an experience beyond the globe. The ambiance of the festival is something that has to be experienced. But has this always been like this?
A curiosity sparked off by the world that breathes outside the halls i decided to take a walk down memory lane. not mine, but of the unique group for whom one week for their life is reserved for this.

As a first timer i was really at a dead end. Where to begin!? The question was looming at its tallest extreme when a tall man, our teacher with films Baburaj Sir came into my frame. For him Festival means the steps of Kairali, the main venue. He remembers even now the year he turned 18 and his great delight in becoming a part of the film society. for him it is not the films but his interactions with everyone, a chance of uniting with all who once part of their lives and those who are now busy with their lives . He believes that with 300 rs and the number of films screened ours is the most economical festival. With his refrain "we will meet in front of the steps" I met him time and again. With advices, his experiences, the comments he heard and the various tit bits he did help me out.

my next stop was Louis Mathew Sir, though it was difficult i caught up with him and asked him if he knew anyone who has been here for all the editions and without second thoughts he gave an answer " Around 200". What was it that he identified with the festival. For him it is the technical side- the how and why behind the films....

While rushing from one theatre to the other i literally stopped Baiju Chandran Sir on the way and asked him about the regulars at the festival. He also gave the 200 answer. Clearly understanding that his priority was watching movies, i caught him time and again in between his rush to the venues.

If ever i had any curiosities everything was cleared with two interviews. One was With film Maker, critic, professor, and film lover P.K.Renjith. Through Baburaj Sir i met him and in a 45 minute long chat he took me through the world of film festivals and how far ours have come. He is surprised by the increase in the number of delegates and how they are managed by the organisers. He is anxious about the way the crowd behave and its effect on the foreign delegates. The feeling of watching a film and respecting the people behind it is gone. Hooting and misbehaviour which is on an increase might dim the glory of our festival...

the story Beena Paul unveiled before me was in fact factual and realistic. Ours is a very small festival in terms of the budget, but it is also the most popular one and it showcases films which caters to the need of almost all the section of the film viewers. on the question that why malayalam film industry has not reflected any of the qualities of the third world cinema showcased here she smiled though her comment on it was that it is strange that people who welcome variety and experiments in cinema from corners of the world do not even try to see innovative works in malayalam. She concluded with a "wait and see" and hopefully we will do that....