FCCI panel at ALIIFF 2016






 

Subhash Ghai, speaking at the Film Critics Circle of India AGM, 2013

You are in a highly responsible profession. You have the responsibility to look into the growth of civilization and of the next generation. We filmmakers look upon you as God. So guide us in your reviews, tell us where we lack, and how we can improve. But do not mock us. Creative people are extra sensitive, so talk like a mother, not like an opponent.

 

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/critics-opinions-impact-filmmakers-subhash-ghai/article5391837.ece

 


 


We will unite for the right cause - a more meaningful appreciation of the great art form called Cinema.
–GP Ramachandran, Kerala.


I found it a very nice idea to have some sort of a forum for interaction among film critics. I wonder why there was not such an attempt much earlier. And would like to be associated with an organised body of film critics, if only to keep me abreast of meaningful and socially relevant films around
–Apurba Sarma, Assam.


The organisation should associate, initially, with one major film festival and do a Critics Week programme, where the complete programming will be done by the organisation as per a concept mandated by the organisation. Such a programme should promote completely independent thoughts in filmmaking that push the envelope as far as the medium is concerned, and could include both fiction and non-fiction genres.
–Saibal Chatterjee, Delhi.


I think we must exchange our reactions and responses to films—particularly in the regional languages—with the other members, on a weekly basis. For example, a member in Kolkata writes about what is exciting from Tollygunge; someone from Mumbai writes about a Marathi film; and the other centres write about their respective films. If there is a trend or something related to cinema that is objectionable, we could write about that too. It will provide us a better understanding of what's happening in the country as far as the medium is concerned.
–Ratnottama Sengupta, Kolkota.


What India needs is a deep initiative of film appreciation - just as school kids get engaged in arts, crafts, sports. That sense of appreciation will go a long way for audience to demand opportunities to watch good classic films.
–Aseem Chhabra, New York.


A national body would be ideal provided it concerns itself with exchange of ideas and refreshing understanding of cinema as an art form.
–Johnson Thomas, Mumbai.


It is a great idea, but it will have to include critics from all over the country, with chapters in at least all film-producing states to make it really meaningful and effective. It should never be metro-centric, which usually tends to happen with such bodies. The body should seek affiliation to all prestigious international bodies, including the FIPRESCI (through its India chapter). And once it is formed, the information should be widely disseminated through media so that film critics across the country become aware about its existence and come forward to join it.
–Utpal Borpujari, Delhi.

 

  • Film-makers must realise that theory and practice are inseparable. Writers must practice and practitioners must write.

    Here is a list of practitioners who wrote 'theory' books on cinema:
    1) Sergei Eisenstein
    2) Jean Epstein
    3) Marcel L'Herbier
    4) Germaine Dulac
    5) Vselovod Pudovkin
    6) Pier-Paolo Pasolini
    7) Pascal Bonitzer

    Film-makers who started out by writing in journals:
    1) Jean-Luc Godard
    2) Michelangelo Antonioni
    3) Glauber Rocha
    4) Elio Petri
    5) Francois Truffaut
    6) Eric Rohmer
    7) Claude Chabrol
    8) Jacques Rivette
    9) Luc Moullet
    10) Olivier Assayas
    11) Pascal Bonitzer

    There is no such split in other art disciplines such as fine art, architecture, & theatre. It is only in cinema that one witnesses this split. And film criticism is most evident in the edit of a film where you are fine tuning the image by precisely being critical of it.

    Devdutt Trivedi

 

  • I make a case to introduce a 'National Award' for 'Best Periodical on Cinema, 'in addition to the present two categories for writing on cinema - (1) Best Book on Cinema, and (2) Best Film Critic. This award in stature and remuneration should be on par with the other two. We have such a dearth of quality writing on cinema and film periodicals in India that such an encouragement for the publishers should be welcome. Film periodical may be defined as one that is exclusively and essentially dedicated to cinema. E-magazines may also qualify, but blogs and websites should not. Periodicity of publication of the new material should be the criterion in defining a film magazine /periodical. (Excerpt from letter to Ministry of I&B.)
    Anil Zankar

 

  • FCCI is emerging as an important voice of film appreciation in India and I wish that its activities need all support. With active participation from members, we can make this an independent forum for discussing the art and commerce of Cinema in a constructive manner.
    Amit Khanna

 


 

Film Critics meeting - 2010

(L-R) Christopher Dalton, HN Narahari Rao, Utpal Borpujari, Saibal Chatterjee, VK Joseph, GP Ramachandran, Ziya Us Salam, and MK Raghavendra