The report in the media that a couple of films selected by an independent jury to be screened at the upcoming International Film Festival in our state have been dropped for vague reasons by the I&B ministry smacks of political interference. There's no doubt that those who are in the I&B ministry are either ignorant about the term ‘Freedom of expression' or are pawns of a govt filled with regressive thinking.
Our CM's statement that one of the films wasn't complete while the other needed cuts as the original would hurt communal sentiments does not hold water. Didn't the govt appoint the jury which included members involved in various aspects of film making?
The whole purpose of having an International Film Festival is defeated. It's also pertinent to note that this is an official film festival and therefore a filmmaker places a lot of hope in his final product. It's high time they put a stop to their selfish agendas or are we going to witness a form of Emergency to curb the right to freedom of expression?
Aloysius D'Souza, via email
