The filmscapes of Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD: Ahmedabad'sfilm culture calls to mind popcorn-munching crowds watching movies like "Fukrey", "Jab TakHaiJaan", and "Man of Steel". But that notion captures just one aspect of the city's cinema culture. Because away from multiplexes, there are small but committed groups gathering to watch alternative films like RituparnoGhosh's "Chitrangada"; the Iranian "Blackboards" directed by SamiraMakhmalbaf; and the Russian historical drama "Russian Ark".
Indeed, Ahmedabad's film culture is more diverse and richer than ever, with both its youth and senior citizens critically appraising alternative cinema. Altogether, there are 12-odd film clubs in Ahmedabad today which host regular viewings.
Serious cineastes have always found Ahmedabad conducive to their tastes. Space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai founded the city's first film society - Darpan - in the 1960s. It held screenings in open grounds. Darpan Film Society eventually became Tarang Film Society, which flourished for several years before government regulations weighed it down. The members of the film society did not wish to cease their activities, so they turned to a cultural notable, Himmat Kapasi. He founded the New Film Society. "This was a powerful group with many active members," Kapasi says. "They who would come together to watch films such as those passed on by the embassies of previously socialist countries like Hungary and Russia."
Some members of the New Film Society continue to meet bi-monthly at the Sports Club to relish European and Indian movies like the French "Amour" and Satyajit Ray's "Ghare-Baire."
Another club that also had its beginnings in the historic film movement of Ahmedabad is that of the National Institute of Design (NID). It has since become a film-study club for the students of NID's two film-related departments. The club, though primarily run by students, is encouraged by faculty members like Professors SekharMukherjee and Arun Gupta, who urge students to appreciate film as an art form. Professor Mukherjee says, "We invite people involved with cinema, like directors, dancers, performers, and technical experts." The NID film club often collaborates with the Goethe-Zentrum and the Alliance Francaise.
The French centre has its own Cine Club that screens French films (with English subtitles) every alternate Friday for its members and French language students.
Similarly, City Pulse Institute of Film and Television in Gandhinagar screens world cinema and Indian alternative films for its students and the general public every Friday at 9 pm. Earlier this month, a group of 40-odd people were shown the Japanese film "Women in the Mirror." Other films screened recently include "Close-up" directed by Iranian great Abbas Kiarostami and "The Rat Trap" directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. The institute also organizes the Gandhinagar International Film Festival in August and September.
Short films are enjoying a prominent space in Ahmedabad's alternative film scene. Shamiana screens shorts by various filmmakers. Following the screenings, the audience is invited to interact with filmmakers. The club's founder, Cyrus Dastur says, "The screenings have become a huge thing among Amdavadis - we usually have an audience of over 150."
Films are not only subjects of artistic appreciation and sources of entertainment, however. Recent years have seen the use of films to instigate discussions of social issues. Clubs like Nazariya, Saurhad, and the newly launched Filmy Adda not only promote alternative cinema by providing a platform to filmmakers and film lovers, but also spread awareness of various causes. Nazariya's youth programme began in 2005, in the wake of the post-Godhra riots, using cinema to deal with communal violence and gender issues. "Film becomes a forum for social justice," says Joyta Naha, the head of Nazariya. Over the past month, the organization has formed a partnership with Conflictorium, where it shows films every Saturday at 5 pm.
Filmy Adda, which was launched on June 29 with a viewing of Aamir Khan's "Peepli Live," has a similar ethos. Its founder, Kabir Thakore, says, "The intention is to introduce youngsters to films based on social issues, and then have a discussion." Saurhad too has social justice agenda. Says its founding member Gaurang Raval: "We screen documentaries and shorts, which young people so rarely get to see, from places like South Africa and even India."
Although these screenings have far smaller niche audiences than the film societies of old, the growing number of clubs reflect an enhanced diversity in the type of films Amdavadis are exposed to. Clubs typically source their films from limited release DVDs and the large collections in the film libraries of institutes like NID, City Pulse, Alliance Francaise and Goethe-Zentrum. Some also utilize the resources of members who are avid film collectors, such as Sheetal Lakhia, a member of the New Film Society. While these small pockets of alternative cinema are a part of Ahmedabad's filmscape, there is still great scope for the initiation of the general Amdavadi public to the beauty of alternative cinema.
Clubs open to public:
Filmy Adda, contact Kabir Thakore 09327003795
Saurhad, for more information email
Nazariya, contact 25601660
Alliance Francaise Cine Club, contact 26733800
City Pulse Gandhinagar, contact 65720154
Shamiana, contact 27551389
New Film Society, contact 27544124