It speaks volumes of my love of cinema that despite being a ‘Trivandrumite’, this was my maiden experience of IFFK. My movie-watching is mostly confined to mainstream Malayalam movies, and the odd Hollywood flick I happen to catch on TV. And hence, I was at a loss to choose the right films to watch at the fest, eventually deciding to watch movies at random and at theatres that are convenient to reach and less crowded. In the end I managed to watch only ten films, a measly number when put against the numbers stacked up by most of the festival goers. In fact, a fellow student of mine at Press Club, I was told, managed to watch 32 films at the eight-day-long festival. Astonishing! Favorite Haunt The favorite haunt of most festival-goers, especially youngsters, was the steps leading up to the entrance of the main venue, the Kairali-Sree-Nila theatre complex. The reasons vary. For some the steps offered the best vantage point to check out celebrities who streamed in and out of the venue; for serious movie buffs, it was a place to discuss movies and decide which movies to watch. Being the main venue, some of the best movies, including most of the films under competition category, were screened there. So, groups of friends would huddle together on the steps and chat to while away time as they wait for the next screening. However, I kept clear of the hustle and bustle of the main venue, choosing instead to watch movies mostly at Dhanya-Remya theatre complex because firstly, it is barely a ten-minute walk away from my home, and secondly, it was relatively less crowded. Watching ‘The Rocket’ When The Rocket’s first screening won rave reviews, it was but natural for its subsequent screening to witness a huge rush. I remember my father o... ... middle of paper ... ...nd book, while paying tributes to veteran filmmaker Hariharan, who has given Malayalam cinema some of its finest movies, makes note of the fact that mainstream cinema has always been frowned at and belittled by film thinkers and organizers of film festivals alike until very recently, and hence generally deemed forbidden at festival circuits. Around seventy percent of the movies, especially those screened under the world cinema category, at IFFK were art house movies or – as some derisively calls it – award movies that are a far cry from the kind of movies that ordinary movie buffs like to watch at the cinema. It is hardly surprising that the movies that struck a chord with the festival goers were simple and engaging movies like The Rocket and Television, while some of the other movies that bagged awards at various other film festivals were scoffed at by the audience.
Theatres and How We Had Fun." Little, Brown, and Company. (Boston, Toronto, London); 1991. P. 139, 144.
The theatre can hold up to 1500 and more people, so each performance is in front of a huge audience. Many members of the audience can watch from the grounds directly in front of the stage. Up to 3000 people can stand there to be exact.
When the lights come up the audience is immediately thrown into an old and dingy movie theatre complete with popcorn strewn across the floor. It is within this set that deep social commentary is made throughout the
Coming into this course I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It was simply the description of Dr. Bernard’s syllabus that held me interested and wanting to learn more. I was never a big movie follower, so I thought it would be interesting to see some of the films that do hold enormous fan based festivals and conventions. Throughout the past several weeks I have not only experience many films that I have not seen before, but I also gained the knowledge of the meaning behind what a cult film is. In the first few weeks we went over the concept of “cult” and how it is usually done in sets of different types of rituals. The likings and awareness of and for these cult films are relatively small in size due to it’s opposition to mainstream. Cult films have many different spins and twists to them, therefore they come with special followings and groups.
Small, Pauline. (2005) New Cinemas: journal of Contemporary Film Volume 3, Queen Mary, University of London
Movies have been one of the most popular pastimes for Americans for decades. They are the topics of conversation, a place for lovers to go on dates, and an industry that the general public seems to have a fascination for. However although we think of movies as another entertainment source, they were not always as socially accepted by the people. In 1904, Harry Davis opened the first freestanding moving-picture theater. Although he was met with much skepticism, his idea would have a lasting effect on America's culture. When they first opened, the people were not immediately accepting. Safety, cleanliness, and price were a few of the concerns the public had. After a few changes however, the "nickelodeons", as they were called, started booming. Flashing lights were put up wherever there was room on the façade of the buildings. Ventilation systems assured people that they were br...
The cinema of attractions is an idea that Tom Gunning and Mr Gaudreault developed and over time coined as a term to describe the capabilities of film. They had a different idea of the early days in film history and wanted that to ...
In considering some of the reasons for the recent success of South Korean cinema, two further observations can be made. First, if we pay attention to the international export success of South Korean cinema, we can see that it has carved out a new route. This is based on regional markets at least as much as Europe and the United States. Second, unlike the successes of the Taiwanese and Chinese “new waves” since the 1980s, it is not based on the old European art cinema model. This raises a question about the viability of art cinema, independent feature films, short films, independent documentary, and other less profitable and commercial modes of filmmaking in South Korea. It may even lead some people to believe that those other modes of filmmaking are not an integral part of the new South Korean cinema success story. Yet, my third and final point will be to argue against this and for the importance of what I want to tentatively call “full service cinema,” including a full range of modes of production and consumption. In making this point, I want to challenge another very common assumption not only in South Korea but everywhere—the idea that art cinema and independent cinema are opposed to mainstream commercial cinema. While there may be an aesthetic opposition between them, it is a strategic mistake to translate this into an institutional opposition. Even though their philosophies may be very different, as I will attempt to outline today, they need each other to succeed.
Hundreds of thousands of Hollywood's most famous celebrities have graced the halls of the Chinese Theatre, at movie premieres and ceremonies. In the Book Hollywood Cinema written by Richard Maltby, he says“it was once stated ‘To visit Los Angeles and not see the Chinese Theater is like visiting China and not seeing the Great Wall’ [Grauman’s] Chinese Theater has been a part of Los Angeles history for over seventy five years”. The Chinese Theater, in Holl...
Here we find the old Duke of York, considered the first purpose built cinema in Europe and one of the few that still offering the increasingly popular option of going to a movie in theaters. Almost in its original state struggling to survive in an industry that not only has the giant UK film companies and internet. After
Aparna, Bhargava. Theatres of Independence: Drama, Theory, and Urban Performance in India Since 1947. New York: University of Iowa Press, 2009.
The motion picture, created by Sangeeta Ahir, appears to have been increased in value by numerous individuals who have seen its surges. The group as of late had the attention shoot and from what we listen, Sanford Pan itch, the Hollywood official of Fox Star Studios
The survival of theatre lies in the very nature of humankind: its inner voyeuristic drive. The desire to watch other people dealing with their conflicts and fates challenges as well as reinforces values and the morality of society. The theatre provides an exciting opportunity to watch stories and situations as if they were real life, showing us the truth of our nature.
The movie was declared a hit and a blockbuster both in India and overseas fetching it almost all the awards of that year including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best
The aim of this research is to explore cinema audience's, festival goers' and workers in cinema views and experiences of film festivals, trying to understand what values they give to them and trying to figure out if they believe that in difficult times, such as the one we are living through, a film exhibition is still necessary.