What is between English and a film festival?;controversy erupts in Kerala

, Nov 13: After the controversial 'Kiss of Love',

's literary,cultural community is now embroiled in another controversy. A renowned film director from Kerala is receiving flak from all over for a statement he made in connection with the popular International Film Festival of Kerala.

Adoor Gopalakrishnan, who is IFFK advisory board chairman, said that only people who know English should attend the festival which is one of the biggest cultural events in the state, according to a Mathrubhumi report.

Adoor's statement kicked up a huge controversy and the director is accused of being 'elitist'. How does ability to understand English a criteria for attending film festival, ask Adoor's critics.

In a press meet on Wednesday, Adoor said, "The movies are coming with English sub-titles. Hence, knowledge in English language is essential for the delegates to understand the movie". The director, who has won numerous national, state and international awards for his films, added that no one should attend the festival with meager knowledge in world cinema and shouldn't attend the festival to enjoy world cinema for the first time in IFFK.

However, minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, who was with Adoor at the event, stated no one would be denied pass even though the restrictions were imposed.

This time in the registration form, the IFFK delegates were asked to list one's favourite films and purpose of attending festivals - something unprecedented. There are widespread allegations that the Adoor committee is trying to turn film festival, which has been a popular democratic platform, into an 'elitist' event.

Oneindia News