Speaking at the 21st International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) this Wednesday, iconic director Adoor Gopalakrishnan described the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) as a white elephant that had strayed far from its original purpose of supporting low-budget indie films. He was speaking at a discussion on the future of low-cost filmmaking in India.
Adoor said, “It [the NFDC] is in a state of coma, kept alive on a support system. This happened not just because of the attitude problem of its administration. But also because the government has forgotten the very intention of setting up of this corporation.”
The veteran auteur was in conversation with Saeed Akhtar Mirza, the national award-winning director of indie movies like Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai and Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro, as well as senior director of photography Ramachandra Babu who has worked in classics like Padayottam and Nirmalyam.
Adoor Gopalakrishnan is a member of a committee formed by the government to study the plight of India’s independent cinema industry. He said, “We proposed setting up of NFDC and 100 small theatres in cities and small town across the country to screen small films of integrity and artistic quality. But unfortunately when NFDC was set up, a managing director was appointed. That person, who was from a non-film background, didn’t understand our cause.”
He said, “We had tried to persuade Doordarshan (DD) to screen panorama films. Two years ago, some of us convinced the DD chairman to start a programme called the best of Indian cinema. I asked not to call it regional cinema and put it in a regional slot. We decided that the chosen films would be awarded a payment of Rs 25 lakhs. However, the Ministry of Finance asked why would DD waste money on this film. And there were no advertisers for these films. So, the programme was discontinued.”
Adoor’s concerns were echoed by Saeed Akhtar Mirza, who spoke about ‘Forum For Better Cinema’, a movement he had initiated along with friends and colleagues. “We wanted to find a way to take serious cinema to people who want to watch it. We thought if the State intervened and said that they would back the film production, it would be great support. The Forum approached the government seeking financial aid, and also asked for more theatres in all states across the country. We have not received any positive response yet,” said Mirza, adding that without political will, low-budget independent cinema could not flourish in the country.
Mirza also said that the challenge wasn’t unique to India, “This is not just India’s battle. All over the world, independent filmmakers are struggling to make money for their next film.” He said that when a film like I, Daniel Blake, which has no stars in its cast, becomes the most successful film in the star-studded career of director Ken Loach, it gives hope to films which bank on content, not stars.
Low Budget Films, No Budget Films
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Ramachandra Babu also talked about his experience of working in films with moderate to meagre budgets. He said, “I have worked in films at the end of which budget dries up and the crew are paid nothing. I have also worked in films which save budget intelligently by planning well and cutting down all frills.”
He said, “Nirmalyam was a low-budget film. We got reflectors and much of the equipment was made at a workshop in Kozhikode. We stayed in cheap hotels, rice mills, and at friends’ houses. Padayottam, India’s first 70mm movie, was shot in a hamlet in Malampuzha. Two cars, a unit bus, and a jeep were all we used while shooting for this big-budget movie. Planning can help a lot.”
The 21st edition of the IFFK began on 9 December in Thiruvananthapuram. It concludes on on Friday, 16 December.
Feature Image Credit: IFFK Official Facebook Page