Social concern has always been a theme for sensitive filmmakers, though the core may have changed in different locales, different times. That globalisation has become a concern today not only in the developing world but also in the rich West, is evident in some of the films shown at the 11th Kolkata Film Festival.

Director Fred Kelemen of Germany, whose film Fallen set in Latvia, talks about loneliness and guilt in today’s society through the story about of a passer-by who did not intervene through witnessing a woman’s suicidal fall. The guilt haunts him and changes his perspective of life. “It’s both personal and universal. At some point , we all are bound to ask: what are we doing? What’s my responsibility as a human being?”
The film has won several awards at film festivals including for Best Cinematography. It is, however, made in Black and White, a conscious choice. “I deeply believe that form is an expression of attitude. This story’s content needed B& W format,” says Kelemen though it proved to be costlier to make than a colour one. He compares it to a painting where colours jostle for attention while a sketch with a few lines reflect the idea. “It doesn’t show everything, some parts have to filled in with imagination. My film too keeps out some parts leaving it to be imagination of the audience,” says the young director.
To retain his independence “from businessmen -producers, Kelemen has formed his own production company with three like–minded people. He is a firm believer that “Art is not about capitalism.” But isn’t also a fact that without finance, making a film is impossible? “But why does a film need too much money? Why do we need a star-system that increases the budget? We can prepare better, we can cut down shooting period,” reiterates Kelemen.
Interestingly, one of the films he has scripted for another director is titled, Kalyi- Age of Darkness. “It’s the age of darkness we are living in, which Indians call Kaliyug, with greed, selfishness, etc. ruling our selves.” …

Trans World Features India, Ranjita Biswas
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