IFFK off to glittering start

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The week-long international film festival was inaugurated on Friday by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday. The festival which almost got cancelled following the floods in August was eventually given clearance and decided to hold it without much splendour. Internationally acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi who directed classic films like Children of Heaven and Colours of Paradise was felicitated by Pinarayi Vijayan with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award during the ceremony.

The ceremony was followed by the screening of Asghar Farhadi's Everybody Knows. In respect to the lives lost due to the floods, candles of solidarity were lighted at the festival venue during the inauguration.

Pinarayi Vijayan in his inaugural address said that the festival will send the message across the world that Kerala stood tall and overcame the deluge together.

Renowned director Budhadeb Dasgupta was the chief guest and actress-director Nandita Das was the guest of honour.

"Divisive forces are out to divide people in the name of religion. Cinema which takes the audience sublimely into subconsciousness can help a lot in such situations," said Nandita Das. Majid Majidi who addressed the crowd in Persian said that he was very happy to be in God's own Country. "While I have won many prizes in my career, the award that I won here today will always be special for your kindness and love," he said.

Tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran presented the first copy of the festival handbook to city mayor VK Prasanth and KTDC Chairman handed over the festival bulletin's first copy to Oscar Award winner Rasool Pookutty.

Culture minister A K Balan presided over the event. Festival director Kamal, executive director Mahesh Panju and Kerala State Chalachithra Academy vice-chairperson Beena Paul also spoke.