I&B eyes China for next IFFI

Coming on the heels of the visit of Chinese Foreign Vice Minister Dai Bingguo to India, the news albeit filmi, couldn’t be better timed...

Coming on the heels of the visit of Chinese Foreign Vice Minister Dai Bingguo to India, the news albeit filmi, couldn’t be better timed. After International Film Festival ’03 which concluded last week, next year’s IFFI will have a special festival of Chinese films.

Director of Film Festivals Neelam Kapur said, the Ministry will be requesting for a China focus for the next fest. ‘‘The festival will be interested in contemporary Chinese cinema. We would very much like to know what is happening in China now. Everyone has heard about the masters and seen their films, ” she said.

The I&B Ministry became interested in a China focus after jury member for Asian competition Xiaolian Peng, representing contemporary Chinese cinema offered her cooperation to the Directorate of Film Festivals.

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In fact, with little help from the Government, Ankhen starring Amitabh Bachchan will be screened in Chinese theatres shortly. Coming after Lagaan’s success last year, Ankhen is being touted as the next blockbuster to hit Chinese theatres. Festival organisers and the Indian Film Exporters Association are focussing on China and Japan with renewed interest.

Though conscious of the tilt towards Hollywood and the quota system in China, Indian film exporters are hoping to strike roots in China and have not let their previous experience dampen their enthusiasm.

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