Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]Dec 4 (ANI): Bengali filmmaker Sudipto Sen has finally opened up on ‘The Kashmir Files’ controversy at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
In conversation with ANI, filmmaker from ‘Lucknow Times’, who was part of the jury board at IFFI, said that he found it ‘unethical’ on the part of fellow juror and Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid to make a statement against a film , who was ‘not even honored’ at the ceremony.
“As a practice, etiquette and ethics, the jury board should talk about the films that are awarded. We do not talk about the films that have not received the award. Nothing to do with bringing up the rejected film for discussion.
“If any of us (members) suddenly go on talking about a film which has not even been honored at any platform, I would find it unethical,” he said.
Explaining the decision-making process behind the films shortlisted for the award at the film festival, Sen said, “We got 22 films, out of which we had to award 6 – Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Female Special Jury Awards for Actors, Aesthetics and Artistic Values and Best Debut Director Award. We looked at each of the 22 films, and collectively scored each of them based on criteria such as camera work, editing, sound, storytelling, acting, etc. Analysed, we shortlisted 5 films to be honoured.
“The decision was collectively agreed upon by all the jury members based on the artistic values and format of the film festival,” he added.
Sen noted that the Vivek Agnihotri film was one of 17 films that were “rejected” from being honored at the film festival.
Sen said, “The film did not fit our artistic criteria.”
Recalling his past experiences with the film festival, the ‘Corentin Quest’ filmmaker told ANI, “This year the festival was organized very well. I have been associated with IFFI for the last 25 years and the arrangements There is always some or the other problem, this time the festival was an ‘international festival’ in true sense.
“That one incident at the closing ceremony ruined the whole mood of the festival,” Sen said, referring to the moment Lapid took to the stage to criticize the Anupam Kher-starrer film.
Meanwhile, the teaser of Sen’s film ‘The Kerala Story’ courted controversy as it claimed that 32,000 girls from the state went missing and later joined the terrorist group ISIS.
Speaking to ANI about the claim, the filmmaker said, “I said 32,000 girls went missing. If you go to areas like Kasaragod or Malappuram in northern Kerala, you will find locals claiming the number to be up to 50,000. Why and how this happened is what the film is about. I cannot reveal the complete story of the film right now. I have also personally spoken to NIA. Give me some time, I will give you all the answers”.
The film is going to release next year. (ANI)
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