October 10, 2005 To, The Editor, Gomantak Times, St. Inez-Panjim.
Sir, Subject: RE: Reactions to Wendell's Statement on IFFI I have been following the Yes's and No's for the Manohar Parrikar style IFFI - 2005 splash for the City of Panjim, and I have decided to break my silence over this issue after your report, published on 10/10/05 captioned "WENDEL CANNOT DECIDE FOR PANJIMITES, says Furtado" There are three angles to this report. One being a political angle from NCP' s Surendra Furtado; two- the angle portrayed by an amateur film-maker Shamir Deniz and three, the level headed angle coming from Patricia Pinto. Before I go any further, my vote goes to Patricia Pinto to the extent of 99 per cent. The remaining 1 per cent goes to Shamir Deniz. Let me start by saying that in the Indian context, the word 'Festival' is a total misnomer in the context of the film festival. In the future, this event should be called "Film Bazaar" instead of "Film Festival", in India. Politicians like Manohar Parrikar and half-baked politicians like Surendra Furtado cannot be blamed entirely for wanting to promote a 'funkat mela' like Patricia loves to call it. No matter how much one tried to explain things to politicians and half-bake politicians, all they will understand is that the vessel is empty, and it needs to be filled and filled pronto. with votes. And happenstances like "film festivals" are looked upon as providence. As the saying goes, empty vessels make maximum sound, this is true in the case of Surendra Furtado. Coming to Shamir Deniz, it is fair to understand his concern, being a part of the industry. If he did not opt for off the street melas and gardens and secluded spots, he could have been branded as hair-brained. But his assessment of Wendell is certainly wanting. Cannot blame him though, for he has yet to get into real exposure mode, in the sense that he needs to get out of the kitchen, some. I need not go into the merits of what Patricia has said. Only thing I can say is that she has a level head on her shoulders. In the making of the last "Film Festival", Manohar Parrikar flopped, and flopped badly. The very first thing he absorbed about the film festival is the word 'festival' and went on to make the best of it, even to the extent of trying to better the "Carnaval" celebrations. The reasons for this is very obvious and is based in his being a Kattar RSS jombie. Anything that reminds of the 'Portuguese' must go, is the mentality. So he went ahead and messed up Panjim city and got himself booted out, in the bargain. It was as expected. But what he promoted as a film festival was far from any real "film Festival" In a film festival, you are supposed to sign filmy deals, buy and sell films internationally, promote new talents, sign for dubbing rights etc etc, the list is long. This is the real essence of a film festival. In fact, it is a film bazaar. I happened to be in Venice (Italy) a long time ago (1973 or so) during the film festival. Proper 'Venice' and a little far removed 'Lido' were the venues. And I had the opportunity of meeting and lunching with Shashi Kapoor , Simi Greval of 'Sidartha' and a host of Indian producers and directors (of Calcutta 71 etc) on board my ship as guests. I have been in Cannes during a film festival. And it is just a routine. People who deal with films get together, like or dislike films, buy or sell films and make a little merry on the sidelines in the call of duty and finito, the end. Where is the mela, the chaos? IFFI 2004 has not sold a single Indian film, if I am not mistaken. They transacted everything else, even to the extent of wiping out Goa's treasury but didn't sell a single film. Is this what Furtado understands about a film festival?? This is exactly what Wendell and Patricia are talking about. Let it be a film bazaar that film festival is all about. And Shamir and Furtado and the hair-brained many others who prefer to talk about the film festival knowingly can have their festivals they know about and like so much, at some other time until they are flushed with it, whether paid or funkat. And, why blame Manohar Parrikar, Surendra Furtado and Shamir Deniz only? I wonder if Pratapsing Rane and his chosen deputy Sanjit Rodrigues know any better what a film festival is all about, either. And, people who do not know how to take care of their own garbage and/or who think that rivers (Mapusa river) are the receptacles of garbage, have no right to handle any festivals, far less Film Festivals. Floriano Lobo Ph: 9422060347 [EMAIL PROTECTED]