KOCHI: The tenth edition of 'SiGNS', the short film and documentary festival organized by the
Federation of Film Societies of India
and the
Kochi Biennale Foundation
, will begin on Wednesday. The five-day festival will showcase the timeless works of resistance by master filmmakers.
This year's retrospective section will feature Rakesh Sharma's acclaimed documentary 'Final Solution', a shocking reportage of the 2002 Gujarat riots. The film was initially denied censor board certification, fearing repercussions for the view it conveyed that the right conservative state was responsible for the communal violence. But after the ban was lifted, the film went on to win President's Indian National Film Award, before winning two awards at the Berlin International Film Festival 2004.
Sharma's 'Aftershocks: A Rough guide to Democracy' sheds light on the exploitative measures executed by corporate powers on two villages in Gujarat after the 2001 earthquake. The movie also discreetly explores how the Indian government allows corporate interests to thrive irrespective of its aftereffects.
Sharma, who will deliver this year's John Abraham Memorial speech, also heads the jury that selects the best film and documentaries in the competition section.
Seven selected short movies from 'Insight' film festivals under the section 'Haiku' movies will also be screened at the event. 'I wonder Y' by Jay Jithin Prakash that won the best film golden screen award at the Palakkad Insight film festival is one of the most anticipated Haiku films. Other entries in the section are 'Trading of Objects' by Hadijeldi (Iran), 'Inhibitions of a Polar Mind' by Ravishankar, 'Njanum' by Manoj Pattathil and 'Daham' by
Vipin Vijayan
.
The Homage section dedicated to recently demised legendary artists will feature Joshi Joseph's documentary '
Mahasweta Devi
' that showcases the struggles, activism and protests of the writer-activist, who died this July. The film festival will also feature 'International Window', 'Director's Pick', and 'Living Legends' sections.
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