Share your respect and love for cinema

When a Chinese, Filipino and Israeli film director come together to discuss their movies at a press conference during the Bangalore International Film Festival (BIFFes 2011), young and independent film makers should certainly pay attention to what they are saying. Xie Fei, a professor at the Beijing Film Academy, along with Filipino director Aaraeus Solito and Israeli film-maker Dan Wolman interacted with the media on Monday.Xie Fei who belongs to the ‘fourth generation’ film-makers talked about the nature of films in China where censorship is the main obstacle faced by many ‘art’ film-makers. “There are three kinds of films made in China — propaganda films, entertainment films and ‘underground’ films. These underground films are made without the permission of the government. Thanks to portable storage devices and friendly technology, these films are being brought out of China and are creating waves all around the world,” he said. His films A Mongolian Tale and Woman Sesame Oil Maker are being screened at BIFFes. He explained that these films were made more than 20 years ago, during the times of Tiananmen Square. When asked whether the government will have a change of mind to allow film-makers their due freedom of expression, he hoped that the elected leaders in 2013 will have cultural leniency and that they change policies for fifth generation film-makers. “I appreciate the fact that BIFFES 2011 is screening vintage films. China produces about 600 films a year but, real cinema is underground cinema and this is the kind of cinema that is most produced in China,” he said. He further continued, “Indian movies are a strong influence for me. 3 Idiots was screened in China and people loved it. And, in our times, Raj Kapoor was  a huge hit.”Auraeus Solito, a film-director from Philippines who studied theatre and directed plays before he started ma king films said that when he, a first born of the Palawan tribe in the city, went in search of his roots after listening to his mother’s bedtime stories. “When I went to my tribe, the first thing I did was chase animals in the forest. I wanted to visit all the mythical places that my mother told me about in her bedtime stories. But, the people told me that Spirit of the Land does not know me yet (Since, I was city-bred) and so, I spent seven years of my youth trying to get to know the place I came from and then I made ‘Busong’. I am now contented,” he expressed. He felt that Philippines is a land of beauty and purity, “Which is why many people want to destroy it,” he says in relation to the mining and other such issues faced by third world countries. His film ‘Busong’ was screened at the Cannes International Film Festival this year. It is also being screened at BIFFES.Dan Wolman, who spoke little, complimented the festival director for having put together a great event and praised the ‘professional’ volunteers. “I like the way the films and the directors are being introduced to the audience here. It is an ambitious film festival that is screening about 180 films. It is just not screening films that out generation grew up with, but bringing back memories of our youth. This shows respect and love for the films of the past,” he applauded.