uppercase hegemonic films like Bahubali becomes
best film and also the main attraction of festivals.
The fest has to question these. Two categories, the
gender and migration had find place in the IFFK apart
from the Indian, world, international competition
and contemporary Malayalam movies. It has given a
voice to the unheard.
Gender
the society. There was strong opposition from Sangh
Parivar not to screen Ka Bodyscape which also deals
with homosexuality. But the progressive delegates of
IFFK neglected such calls.
Migration
A state like Kerala where the Gulf migration is still
a reality, Malayalam films always caricatured the
migrants from north India as villains and rapists.
This middle class logic was nullified in IFFK by
showing us the historical importance of migration.
Docufictions, short films and feature films approach
migration seriously. ‘First at sea’, which won Golden
Bear award at Berlin Film Fest, Mediterania, Soy
nero and road to mandaley were some of the films
which deeply looked into the issues of migration at
different countries.
IFFK denies the stereotyped mainstream narratives
on gender which says that male is an extraordinary
person with all abilities and female or transgender is
mere a sex object. The movie ‘Clair obscure’ tells us
that women are not a tool for men to quench their
thirst as the religious fundamentalism teaches you. It
is a reply to the question how the religion and capital
commercialised women in films. Leena Yadav’s
‘parched’ also tells a powerful story of women who
cut the chains of male domination. Another film from Dalits and religious minorities.
Venezuela, Tamara narrates the story of a trans activist
in a state where discrimination prevails strongly.
Manhole tells us the issues of manual scavenging.
Another Malayalam film Kammattipadam was also
It also sparked a debate on the language by challenging screened this year. Other Indian language movies
the hierarchical order in the use of ‘third gender’ for like Court and Fandry were screened last year. IFFK
trans community. Maybe this too be challenged in had also screened the film Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
future with the development of democracy.
which was discriminated at amny fests. The crisis of
political Islam was shown in the Ka Bodyscape. The
Heterosexuality
chairman of the organising committe, Kamal was
attacked by the BJP leaders because he is a Muslim.
Homosexuality and bi sexuality is as natural as The Hindutva fascism which rules the country at
transgender. But the moral concepts of religions different phases aims to implement Manusmriti and
keep them away from the mainstream in daily life leads the Dalits and minorities in to ghettoes. But the
and in film as well. Being 17, Loev, front lover were Chairman himslef has become anti national for them.
few among the films in the gender session of IFFK. It is hopeful that the IFFK did not give it up.
Director of Loev, Sudhanshu Dariya exchanged his
thoughts with viewers after screening. He said that IFFK gives a new experience among the festivals by
he never thought about a revolution by taking this discussing about the issues like environment, Maoist
film but this was the best eay he found to discuss hunt, criticism of the governments etc. Standing with
such issues with the people and hence he filmed it. the alienated and challenging those who are reluctant
IFFK is also stands for it. Not for an instantaneous to change, IFFK gives the message of Marx that
change but it is a long term plan to discuss it with change does not change.
Theyyam 25