CHENNAI: Cinema and politics in Tamil Nadu are "bound together like nail and flesh", said information and publicity minister
Kadambur Raju
while speaking at the launch of the 22nd
European Union Film Festival in Kalaivanar Arangam on Saturday. The festival attracted delegates from Portugal, Germany, France, Belgium and other EU member nations. The United Kingdom which has begun the process of withdrawal from EU did not have a representation at the event this year.
The festival began with the inaugural film 'The Portuguese Falcon' ('Capitao Falcao'). Over the next two weeks, until May 4, 22 European films are scheduled to be screened at Alliance Francaise of Madras and Max Mueller Bhavan. For the first time, screenings have been organised in Puducherry and Coimbatore. The festival is being organised by
Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation
which had conducted the Chennai International Film Festival in January.
"This festival is a crossroad between the European and Indian cultures. It will help us understand each other better. Cinema is not only meant to entertain but also to ask questions, raise issues and deliberate how the society must go forward," executive director of Alliance Francaise of Madras, Pierre-Emmanuel Jacob, said.
The delegates of the EU stressed on the need to show unity through art and cultural exchange. Director of Goethe Institut, Max Mueller Bhavan, Helmut Schippert, said, "This is not an easy time for the European Union. There is refugee crisis and threat of authoritarianism."
Consul-General of Germany in Chennai, Achim Fabig, said such festivals help in overcoming obstacles and finding solutions by exploring different ideas from different regions. "The films and stories you will watch may be closer to you than you may think. We are all here for the love of cinema and for the love of life," he said.
As Portugal played chief guest, actor Varalakshmi Sarathkumar and director R V Udayakumar represented the Tamil film industry at the event.