Dear All, Please read the email i received in the vikalp group and comment yours gp.ramachandran
From: Rakesh Sharma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Feb 11, 2007 4:49 PM Subject: [vikalp] Fwd: Films 4 Peace screening experience To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear All, Enclosed below is a report from Anto (from Salem) and the 'experience' they had to go through to organise film screenings for a day-long gathering of 60-70 people. For discussion on this egroup. Regards Rakesh Dear Friends, This is anto from Salem, Tamil Nadu. I am an independent documentary film maker involved in film screenings in different parts of Salem , Mettur, Tanjoore,Neyveli and Dindigul. We have a forum called 'Friends of Cinema-Salem'. We used to screen documentaries/features once in 2 months according to the needs and financial position. I got a package of Films 4 Peace from Mr.R.R. Srinivasan (Kanchanai) Chennai. So, our team decided to screen Films 4 Peace(9 Documentaries and one feature film 'The Great Dictator')for one day screening on the 4 th of February(Sunday) at Salem Social Service Society, Convent Road, Salem-16. We send invitations to all friends and members of the different associations and colleges. On the 3rd evening, I was preparing myself for the screening in my house where I live in a remote village. At 5.30 in the evening, I received a phone call from Police Station, Fair Lands, Salem saying that Police wanted to give protection for the screening. I replied that we were going to screen inside the campus not in a open public place. So no need of their protection. Then the police man started to ask me so many questionsÂ…. What is the purpose of screening? Why do you focus on world peace? Who are all members? Where do I operate from Why I am operating from a remote village my activities? Timings of the screening(start/end) How many will come? Male and female? Which category Will there any familiar persons come? I replied every thing very politely. This enquiry, I expected in advance. Because, this time we send invitations to few colleges and our neighboring Districts also. After one hour, I received a phone call from Intelligence Service Assistant Commissioner (ISAC), Salem saying that I would not be permitted to screen films. The reasons were: Whether I have copyright to screen them, Whether the films are censored by the Government of India, Have I applied for local police station asking permission? Then I said to the ISAC that it was impossible to drop the screening. He told me to come to his office that night and to give him details what I do. I packed up my screening materials and started to Salem. It is about 52 km but it takes 2 hours by bus. Before starting, I called my friends R.R.Srinivasan(Chennai) Amudhan (Madurai) Kutti Revathi(Chennai) and explained the situation. And also I called Ms. Thilagavathi IPS.,(ADGP) who is a writer and Sahithya Academy Winner. I couldn't get her immediately. She was attending a meeting in Dharmapuri. Only her assistant told me to contact her after one hour. Again I tried by another source Mr. Aadhavan Theetchanya (Founder) Kurinji Film Society, Hosur to explain the situation to ADGP. When I reached Salem after 2 hours, I was able to speak to Ms. Thilagavathy(ADGP). She promised me that she would tell the higher officials in Salem to grant me permission to screen. I went with Mr. Hari Babu (Advocate) who is an human rights activist to meet the Deputy Commissioner and ISAC. At 10.45 PM, I was able to meet the Deputy Commissioner who was in a hurry. He told me that he received a phone call from ADGP. So he explained that he could not say no to screen. So I was asked to meet the ISAC. We waited for one hour, at last he came. I explained to the ISAC in a very simple way. These films are produced by independent film makers and they were not for commercial purposes. They are not shown in theatres. And the package (Films 4 Peace) had been shown in 50 centers in India. These films are focusing on War and their damages, American Imperialism nothing else. I asked him 'since, I screen in a hall, why I should get permission from Police'. Then the ISAC told me that they were very particular about the films there may be some criticism about the Central (Delhi) and Tamil Nadu state. We explained that there was nothing like what they are afraid of and Indian Government is also against the Saddam Hussain's hanging. Then the ISAC took our invitation from a file and asked me to explain about the films in detail. I explained one by one. We were not shocked to see the invitation in a Intelligence officer's table. Then I told him that we have been screening for the past 2 years in different places in Salem town we never had this kind of interrogation. He said that it was the first time the invitation reached his table. Then he cleared his throat and told us no American flag burning and degrade or burn the doll of Bush. We said that we were going to screen the films only. No other actions. Then he reluctantly said OK to us. When we left the ISAC office, it was 12.00 late midnight. On the next day that was 4th of February, we were preparing the hall. Two police men came from local station(Fair Lands) and asking whether we have permission to screen the films. I told them that the previousay night we got permission from the DC and ISAC. But the one of the police man said whenever we do screening please inform the local station and get permission. Our higher officials are firing us. Please do cooperate. And I said mechanically OK. One of the Police man stayed in the hall with a wireless phone. We made him to sit in the corner. We started screening the movies. It went on from morning 10 am to evening 6 pm. The Great Dictator, The Last stand of Allende El-Salvador another Vietnam, We interrupt this Empire America America Stop killing my kids Still Life The Battle Poison cloud Control Room Breaking the silence We had lunch break. Earlier, we announced the audiences that Tea and Lunch had been arranged by us. But we expect their contribution. The audience contribution was enough for 65 person's food expenses. Totally, 80 persons came for the screening. But the solid audiences were 50. Among them 12 were women. Children 7. Others were political party members, NGOs, Writers, Media Personalities, Law Students, Religious persons and cultural activists. Our impressions: It was our first experience in one day screening. Things were arranged properly. Viewers came from Neyveli, Virudhachalam, Thiruthuraipoondi, Aarani, Erode, Attur, Yercaud and Salem town. 20% were newcomers. Most of the major expenses like food, invitation and hall rent were spent by viewers participation and individual sponsors. We thank everybody for this documentary screening successful. And the friends who helped us over phone and giving solidarity support by their linking together the Documentary Film Screening Movement in National level. Yours in solidarity, V.G. Anto Convenor, -- Rakesh website: www.rakeshfilm.com blog: rakeshindia.blogspot.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vikalp/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vikalp/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! 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