The IFFK'08 Jury: Missing the sparkle of past IFFK juries

Submitted by Jugu Abraham on 12 December 2008 - 5:57am | 0 Comments

Just as a competition section builds the reputation of an international film festival, the composition of the jury that judges those films can enhance the festival's reputation.
The IFFK has in the past attracted big names to serve on the jury. Actress Julie Christie served on one and Iranian Director Jafar Panahi served on another. Director Jiri Menzel was slated to head the 2007 jury but opted out at the eleventh hour.
The 2008 jury is, by comparison to earlier IIFK juries, less formidable. Three established names adorn it-Burkina Faso director Mr. Idrissa Oedugao, the Iranian director Ms. Samira Makhmalbaf and last but not least holding the Indian flag is Marathi cinema's most credible director Dr Jabbar Patel. The last two members are Ms. Lucia Murat (Brazil) and Ms. Sitora Alieva (Russia).
One has to assume that all five do arrive in Trivandrum on time to participate in the jury's deliberations. Mr. Oedugao being the most respected among the five is most likely to Chair the jury. He made his name when two of his films "Yaaba" and "Tilai" made waves internationally. After the death of the Senegalese director Ousmane Sembene last year, Mr. Oedugao is one the few noted film personalities in Sahelian Western Africa (as distinct from the Arab Western Africa). Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou hosts the most renowned Pan African film festival.
Ms Samira Makhmalbaf is the daughter of the Iranian filmmaker Mr. Mohsen Makhmalbaf and elder sister of Ms Hana Makhmalbaf. All three are accomplished film directors. Young Hana's film "Buddha collapsed out of shame" opened IIFK 2007. Now, a year later, the family is represented by the elder sister on the jury. Samira has served on the juries of Cannes and Venice, and is therefore not new to the job on hand. The Makhmalbaf family continues to make films outside Iran in neighboring countries like Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and yes, even India ("Cry of the ants").

Dr Jabbar Patel is a medical doctor turned theatre director turned filmmaker. His Marathi films "Umbartha" and "Jait re jait" have established him as the Peter Brook of India. His major contribution was possibly to make Marathi Theater more accessible to a wider Indian audience using the medium of cinema.
Ms Lucia Murat of Brazil has made a feature film or two. One of them made some waves at the Mannheim film festival. She is well known as a journalist in her country.
Finally there is Ms Sitora Alieva who is associated with a young Russian film festival called "Kinotavr". Is it a coincidence that there is a section on young independent Russian cinema at IFFK 08?

Between these five individuals they have to decide on three awards, the Best feature film, the Best director and the Best debut director. The other awards will be decided by other juries. What many of us will be observing is whether the jury members will put their individual national chauvinism aside and pick the most deserving entry. The last IFFK saw the Iranian director and Chair of the jury bestow the top two awards to an Iranian film "10+4" , while both the FIPRESCI jury and the NETPAC jury found other films in competition more deserving.

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