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10th INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL The first phase of the Children's Film Festival has just been concluded. In the evening of 12th June 2010 his Excellency Shri M.K. Narayanan, Governor of West Bengal inaugurated the festival at Nandan by lighting the traditional lamp. Others who spoke on the occasion were Shri Mrinal Sen, eminent Film Director, Ms. Lori Calvo, State Representative, UNICEF, Shri Ramendu Chattopadhyay, Chairman, Tower Group and Shri Nilanjan Chattopadhyay, Chief Executive 0fficer, Nandan. Hon’ble Justice Shri Shyamal Kumar Sen, President of Cine Central, Calcutta presided over the function. Dr. Biswajiban Majumdar, Vice-President of Cine Central, Calcutta gave the concluding speech. The programme at Nandan continued from 12th to 16th June, 2010 and the programme in Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Salt Lake held from 18th to 22nd June, 2010. Thereafter, the festival is going to move in different locations of the city and in the districts.
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FILMS CAN PROVIDE CHILDREN KNOWLEDGE & ENTERTAINMENT
Governor urges parents to
change their mindset
(Full Text of the Speech delivered by
His Excellency Shri M. K. Narayanan
Governor of West Bengal at the Shri Justice Shyamal Kumar Sen, President of the Cine Central, Calcutta, Ms. Lori Calvo, State Representative of West Bengal, UNICEF, Shri Mrinal Sen, distinguished dignitaries on the dais, dear children, ladies and gentlemen. I am extremely happy to be in your midst this evening at the inauguration of the 10th International Children’s Film Festival organized under the aegis of Cine Central, Calcutta. The Festival is being supported by such renowned bodies such as the UNICEF, Nandan and the EZCC. I shall be as brief as possible in my inaugural remarks as I can sense a feeling of impatience to commence the main proceedings, including the screening of children’s films, among the younger members of the audience, specially the children. The need to produce good children’s films has long featured in the cultural ethos of our country. Way back in 1955, the Government of India therefore established a Children’s Film Society for this purpose. Unfortunately, for reasons known and unknown, the making of children’s films did not get requisite support from the Indian film industry. This has led to a dearth of quality children’s films in our country. In this respect, West Bengal is ahead to some extent of many other States in the country, with renowned film Directors like Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen and Tapan Sinha, having produced some wonderful films for children. It is again a matter of regret that there is hardly a single Cinema Hall in the country which show films for children on a regular basis. Films are an effective vehicle of communication and specially so as far as children are concerned. Democratisation of culture has meant that films play an even larger role in the mental make up of members of the public which includes children. Many of today’s films are not quite suited for viewing by children, particularly those of a tender age and this must be rectified. Along with TV and other means of communication, films today have a powerful impact on people’s minds, and in the case of impressionable young mind leaves a lasting impact on their psyche and thought processes. Cine Central, which occupies a preeminent position in the cultural landscape of Kolkata, has tried to step into this breach. It has made a mark having such distinguished personalities as Justice Shyamal Kumar Sen and eminent film makers like Mrinal Sen amongst its galaxy of office bearers and advisors. From The Road to Life screened under its aegis in 1965 to the 10th International Children’s Film Festival currently being organized, Cine Central, Calcutta, has hence come a long way. Amongst its other accomplishments, is bringing to the people of Kolkata, quality works of eminent film makers from various continents. In fact, to Cine Central goes the credit of introducing the first ever Independent International Film Festival in India in the year 1986. This makes it all the more important for producers to make quality children’s films. Today’s children are far more intelligent and have far greater capacity for assimilation than children of our generation. They are eager to know more and to learn more. Mere textbook based education is, hence, not enough. Children need a wider canvas from which to absorb ideas and find material not always found in textbooks. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore once remarked: A boy in this country has very little time at his disposal. He must learn a foreign language, pass several examinations and qualify himself for a job in the shortest possible time…His parents and his teachers do not let him waste precious time by reading a book of entertainment, and they snatch it away from him the moment they see him with one. This is perhaps even more true today where children have to cram many more facts from poorly produced textbooks to achieve the high standards expected of them today. Whether does all this lead us? I believe that children’s films, well conceived and targeted at child audiences of different ages, can vastly expand their knowledge base while providing them wholesome entertainment. This will ensure far better all-round development and make them better citizens of tomorrow. Even for this, parents would have to change their mindset. Organisations like Cine Central should play a crucial role in this respect as well. I do hope that their efforts will be crowned with success. I am, therefore, extremely pleased to note that the International Children’s Film Festival will be held in different locations. This would greatly enrich the level of participation of children, specially from the rural and underprivileged sections of the society. All schools and related institutions must make it a point to ensure that the children they teach are brought to view Film Festivals such as these. My best wishes to Cine Central, Calcutta, for all their future endeavours. To the children of Kolkata, I would say, take advantage of this opportunity provided by Cine Central so that you would grow up to be responsive and sensitive citizens of our great Nation. With these words I formally inaugurate the 10th International Children’s Film Festival and wish it every success. Thank you.
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