GUWAHATI, Oct 31 - Acclaimed actor Adil Hussain today said the art of filmmaking, which philosophises life and also shapes our emotional make-up, is treated like a product, which is where the downside of films lies. Hussain was speaking at the inaugural function of the 3rd Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF) at the Sankaradeva Kalakshetra here today.
Over 100 films from 65 countries will be showcased in the third edition of GIFF, organised by Jyoti Chitraban in association with Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Film and Television Institute.
�As it takes money to make a movie, it has become a product. Nearly 90 per cent of the movies that come out from across the world are now treated as products, because to earn money, there is a tendency to add spice to cater to the lowest common denominator of a human body, which gets easily rattled and tickled. Instead of films reflecting the subtle aspects of life, movies sometimes turn audiences erratic, to the extent that they even resort to acts of violence. Therefore, we have to be very responsible about the kind of movies we are making,� Hussain said.
�The impact of movies is phenomenal. And I, therefore, request the organisers of the event to take the festival to smaller towns and educate common people how to watch good films,� the actor of Life of Pi fame said.
Legendary Polish film personality Krzysztof Zanussi, who was the chief guest of the inaugural function, said films have achieved something surprising. �During 100-odd years of existence, it reached a level of art, which is high. It is not only popular but it also belongs to the higher self,� Zanussi said. �Film festivals like the GIFF promote such high art, more than the regular cinema,� he added.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the culture has the power to integrate the world and films can go a long way in making the world closer. He also urged the Mumbai film fraternity to explore the landscape of Assam and hoped that the latest edition of GIFF would motivate the young generation of the State in filmmaking. He said the State has rich natural resources, cultural heritage and a pool of talented artistes who have excelled in the world cinema.
Referring to the success of celebrated actor Adil Hussain and director Rima Das, Sonowal said the festival would help young filmmakers cope with international cinema.
National award-winning filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar said he is overwhelmed by the response of the moviegoers in the State and urged people to watch quality movies.
The function was also attended by Cultural Minister Naba Kr Doley, Grammy awardee Rickey Kej, filmmaker Aribam Shyam Sharma, High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago Stacey Karen Hinds, Ambassador of South Korea Shin Kil, Ambassador of Taiwan Tien Chung-Kwang.
