The 38th International Film Festival of India, Goa came to an end on December 3 at a ceremony held in Panaji. This years festival saw a rainbow of well-made films and award were given to the same. Govind S. Poteker gives us a glimpse of the events at the finale
At a simple ceremony held at Dinanath Mangueshkar Kala Mandir in Panaji, the 38th International Film Festival of India, Goa 2007, came to an end with the Taiwanese film "The Wall" directed by Lin Chih Ju bagging the Golden Peacock Medal Award with a cash prize of rupees ten lakhs. The screening of the Spanish-Portuguese film "Fado" by Carlos Saura gave the festival a musical ending. The closing ceremony was attended by eminent Bengali film director Budhadev Dasgupta who was Chief Guest, Governor of Goa S.C. Jamir and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, among other dignitaries.
The director of the Thai film "Me Myself" (Khaw Hai Rak Jong Jaroen), Pongat Wachirabunjong won the Silver Peacock Medal and cash prize of rupees five lakhs with the Most Promising Director Award.
Special Jury Awards were shared by child artist Julia Urbini for her splendid role in the Mexican film "More than anything in the world" directed by Andreas L. Becker and Javier Solar, and Bangladeshi film "Swopnodanay" (On the wings of dreams) by Golam Rabbany Biplob for its script. They were given the Silver Peacock Award carrying cash prize of rupees two lakhs each.
Compering the closing ceremony was well known actor Kabir Bedi who said that it is an honour for Goa to host the event on the occasion of 60 years of India’s Independence as he acknowledged the spirit of universality that films provide. Budhadeb Dasgupta felt that the festival depends on the quality of films that are screened and exhorted the need for new filmmakers, producers and directors. He felt that people look for puzzles in the film that reflect their own lives.
Film connoisseurs got a chance to view some good films that included 14 that vied for top honours in the Competition Section out of some 176 films and documentaries from 46 countries including India that were screened during the festival.
The festival also paid tribute to some living legends such as Manipuri film director Aribam Syam Sharma, yesteryear singer Mubarak Begum and Sarangi exponent, instrumentalist Pandit Ram Narayan. Homage was paid to well known cinematographer K.K. Mahajan, music directors Naushad Ali, O.P.Nayyar, Dattaram Wadkar from Goa and noted Marathi actress Susheeladevi Pawar, better known as Vanmala Devi.
Besides the screening of films, there also were competitions and exhibitions on the occasion. As part of the festival "25 Frames", Goa’s National Short Film making competition was jointly organised by Department of Art and Culture, Entertainment Society of Goa and Vinsan Graphics, Vasco. Young Goans were involved in a riot of colours, adding life to visual art on Indian film and music personalities through the Rangoli Competition.
Many delegates opined that the film festival was organised pretty well for the first time in the last four years, learning from past mistakes. There wasn’t any chaos in the theatres as computerised booking ensured a seat to delegates and the absence of street-shows along the promenade, the traffic chaos was also handled properly.
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