11th IFFK to begin on Dec 8

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 3 (UNI) Belgium Director and actress Marion Hansel's French film 'Sounds of Sand' will be the inaugural film at the 11th International Film Festival of Kerala 2006 (IFFK) and the doyens of Malayalam film industry in the first decade of 'Keralapiravi' (state formation) will inaugurate the fest on December 8.

A release said, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Priya Ranjan Das Munsi would be the Chief Guest.

The celebrated directors P Bhaskaran, A Vincent, K S Sethumadhavan, Sasikumar, K T Mohammed, P Ramdas, Director and script writer M T Vasudevan Nair along with various other personalities from the malayalam film fraternity would light the traditional lamp. A special ceremony was also being organised to honour many of the celebrities at the inaugural occasion, the release added.

The 'Sounds of Sand' was a parable about the only literate, Rahne, in a village where war and famine was overcast and his escape to east along with his family. They travelled across deserts and bostile lands under lethal sun, frequently threatened by death. The movie would also show Shesha, the child who would be conquering her father's love through determination and strength.

Marian Hansel began her career as an actress after completing studies from some of the finest Art Colleges in the United States and French. In 1977, Hansel entered into production and direction after spending years being an actress.

UNI PN GKT RL PM1748