INGMAR
BERGMAN FILM FESTIVAL |
Born
in Sweden on July 14, 1918. |
The
NFAI is a government body run under the information and broadcasting
ministry of India. Established in February 1964 and has been a
member of International Federation of Film archives since may,
1969. Has an objective to safeguard the heritage of Indian cinema,
promotion of film scholarship and research on various aspects
of cinema. DRUMMINGWORLD throws spotlight on the legend of film-making INGMAR BERGMAN, as SATYAVRAT JADEJA manages to exchange words with The Director of NFAI, Mr.K.S.SASIDHARAN about Ingmar Bergman,his films, the Ingmar Bergman Film Festival and the NFAI. |
K.S.SASIDHARAN, Director, National Films Archive of India |
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| • Why Ingmar Bergman ? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KSS :- Ingmar Bergman is a very very highly respected film maker.He's a very serious film maker. His works are for serious students of cinema who look into films as something which is beyond a medium of entertainment. Not only entertainment but something more. Every film of his is serious its not only entertainment,its beyond. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| • Are there any books on Ingmar Bergman available ? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KSS :- Yes there are many books on Bergman. We have some of his books in NFAI library. Many have written about him. Theres even Bergman on Bergman. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| • How many films are going to be screened in this festival ? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KSS :- We are going to screen 5 of his films. Those which are his best works,his masterpiesces. We have around 20-22 films of Ingmar Bergman with NFAI . We dont have that much time slot so we will showcase his 5 major masterpieces. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| • Are there any other things happening in NFAI ? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KSS :- Yes, we are paying homage to Mr.K.K.Mahajan, he was a great cameraman in India.One of the finest cameraman in India. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| • Is this for the first time that Ingmar Bergman is been showcased ? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KSS
:- No.We had a film festival on his works before 3-4 years.It
was with the collaboration with the Swedish Embassy.It was a huge
success.People were parking their cars at Prabhat police chowky and coming to the venue walking it was overfull.There are many fans who like his works.His works are not easy to understand,maybe when you see it 2-3 times you may understand the deep meaning. His films are serious intellectual films.Many people from film clubs are interested. |
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| • Any other events that are planned in the NFAI ? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KSS :- We have many plans.Its all on the way. Apart from these film festivals happening we have a screening programme every saturday at 6.30 pm. People of the NFAI film circle come to watch it. We have english classics, even bollywood films, translated films, documentaries. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| • How can one be a part of the NFAI film circle ? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KSS :- There are annual as well as half yearly membership. You have to subscribe to be a member. It is 600 Rs. for one year. Usually starts from January to December. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| KSS :- It is open for all.It is first come first serve basis. We have about 330 seats. People of film club, NFAI film circle, students of FTII come for the festivals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| • What made Ingmar Bergman different than other film makers ? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KSS :- Ingmar Bergman's films were very serious ones. They were beyond entertainment. You might have to see his movies 2-3 times to understand the meaning of it. They are very intellect films.An ordinary man can not understand his films easily. His films are vey much mature. They show darkness of life. All his films are about human relationships, all about the complex human relationships and the complexities of life, the darkness of life.It is all realistic. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| • Are there any Indian Film-makers who are of the same calibre as Ingmar Bergman ? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KSS :- See we cannot compare him to any other film-makers.It is a matter of debate. The point is where to start the comparision and where to end it.It is limitless to compare. He is a legend. Even Satyajit Ray is a legend but we cant compare anyone. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| • What are his greatest works ? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KSS :- He has made about more than 40 films. After making films he went back towards theatre and TV. He was actually a theatre person. His last film was FANNY AND ALEXANDER in 1980's after that he turned to theatre and TV. But he got some ideas when he was 89 and so came back to films and made his final film called SARABAND. He got his inspiration for this film from the Bible when he noticed a woman called SARA. Some of his great works are FANNY AND ALEXANDER, SEVENTH SEAL, WILD STRAWBERRIES, CRIES AND WHISPERS. These are his all time classics. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| • NFAI is a Government body run by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry of India, so does the Government arrange for these film festivals ? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KSS :- NFAI is a government body but the government doesnt tell us to have film festivals. We organize it ourselves. That much freedom we have. We can do it for cultural upbringing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| • Approximately how many people are expected to come for this film festival ? |  |
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| KSS :- I cant say the number, we have 330 seats so its first come first serve basis. Many come and watch standing if they do not get seats. Some papers publish about the event so many people who have read it may come. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SCHEDULE
OF NFAI's INGMAR BERGMAN's FILM FESTIVAL, PUNE. |
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