The Indian filmmaker, who is the chairman of the Indian Panorama Section at IFFI, reckons that the Israeli filmmaker could be pro-Palestine, anti-India.
By Mayur Lookhar
The criticism of The Kashmir Files [2022] by Nadav Lapid, Israeli filmmaker and jury head at the 53rd International Film Festival of India, has triggered a storm in social, political circles. Veteran filmmaker, editor Vinod Ganatra, who is the chairman of the Indian Panorama Section at IFFI, is among many who are left stunned by Lapid’s rant against The Kashmir Files.
Speaking to Beyond Bollywood, Ganatra said, “I had left the festival two days earlier. I have no idea as to where this has come from. I don’t why know why he made such a statement. You don’t like a film, it is fine, but the IFFI platform is no stage to criticise any film. If you think The Kashmir Files is vulgar, then would you also call Schindler’s List [1993], an Oscar winner, a vulgar film ?”
Ganatra, who is a recipient of the Liv Ullmann Peace Prize and has been part of jury in over 90 international and national film festivals, has raised question over Lapid’s appointment. He called upon Indian government, bureaucracy, to verify the credentials of any international filmmaker before roping him/her as jury head to such festivals.
“I didn’t know much about him. It sounds as if he is Pro-Palestine, or anti-India. I think the government must do due diligence before roping in any foreign individual to be part of jury to Indian festivals,” said Ganatra.
The Indian filmmaker even revealed that The Kashmir Files was one of the three Indian films which was selected by his panel to be in consideration for the The Golden Peacock [best film] award at IFFI.
“The Indian Panaroma jury had forwarded The Kashmir Files as one of the three Indian films to be considered for the top honours. The final result is decided by the IFFI jury that comprises of international and national filmmakers. We are not privy to the conversation around The Kashmir Files by that jury,” Ganatra clarified.
Filmmaker Sudipto Sen, who is part of the 5- member jury led-by Lapid, made it clear that the chairman’s comment were purely personal.
“Whatever has been said by IFFI 2022 Jury chairman Mr. Nadav Lapid about the film The Kashmir Files, from the stage of closing ceremony of 53rd IFFI was completely his personal opinion,” tweeted Sen.
Sen also further clarified that he and other jury members never had such conversation [criticism] of the Indian film with Lapid. The Israeli filmmaker though had claimed during the closing ceremony that the entire jury felt that the Indian film was inappropriate for such a prestigious film festival. Interestingly, Lapid was reading from a piece of paper while slamming The Kashmir Files.
