The movement
The
70s also marked a turning point in Indian politics and cinema.
The period witnessed the growing disillusionment with the
existing sociopolitical system and also the mergence of
new forms of revolt and resistance. The complacence and
optimism of the post-independence period was waning and
political struggles all over the world, especially among
youth, were gaining attention. The Naxalbari, student revolt
in Paris, Vietnam and the hippie movement etc. form part
of the general ambience of the period. The Film Society
Movement and the so-called 'new wave' reflect the times
in their urge to challenge the status quo and to grasp the
world. Elements of hope, guilt, exhilaration, anarchy and
political adventurism constituted the heady mix of the period.
Malayalee
was also part of the spirit of the times and the Film Society
Movement reflects this general mood. Sensibility-wise, the
Malayalam literary scene was already agitated by 'modernist'
ideas form Europe and its modern masters in literature.
But with regard to films, there were a lot of limitations
that stood in the way of widening our horizon - lack of
a market for non-English (read non-Hollywood) films, non-availability
of films, lack of information about sources etc .Film Societies
flourished all over the state and the film lovers who were
dissatisfied with the vernacular cinema and those from Hollywood
constituted the moving force behind it.
Some of them have more than 25 years of experience in their
credit now. Chalachitra (Thiruvananthapuram), Darsana (Kattappana),
Sumangala (Kothamangalam), Resmi (Malapuram), Sarga (Payyannur),
Soorya (Thiruvananthapuram),Cochin film society(Ernakulam)
are still going stronger. To list a few of major Film Societies
of the period : Aswani- Kozhikode, Thalassery Film Society,
Vikas and Kranthi- Kannur, Bisini and Phalke -Vadakara,
Sithara - Mananthavadi, Filmas - Kakkattil, Sajya - Kozhikode,
Jwala - Tirur, Darpana - Parappanangadi, Dialogue - Kozhikode,
Iskra - Malappuram, Kaazhcha - Kottakkal, Drisya - Mahe,
Darsana - Palakkad, Mass - Thrissur, Ritwik Ghatak Film
Society - Guruvayoor, Kodungallur Film Society - Kodungallur,
Angamali Film Society - Angamali, Suchitra Film Society
- Kochi, Free Circle - Cherthala, Zero - Chalakkudy, The
Udyogamandal Film Society - Udyogamandal, Palai Film Society
- Pala, Vaikom Film Society - Vaikom, Lumiere Film Society
- Thodupuzha, Mas - Pathanapuram, Nayana - Pathanamthitta,
Suvarnarekha - Kollam, Nilambur Film Society - Nilambur.
Later, in their own ways, societies like BEAM,SPARC,FILCA,Sangachithra,Scarface,Sparya
(Thiruvananthapuram),CUBE (Kannur),Kesari (N.Paravur), Decalogue(Mannarkkad)
,Banner(Alappuzha), Frame(Thirur), Bank men's club (Kozhikode)
contributed the movement.
Odessa experiment stands apart from all the other experiments
in various ways. It never had a formal / legal structure
or any political backing. Its attempt was to attack the
problem comprehensively at all levels - exhibitions, distribution
and production. In contrast with other attempts, its major
strength was peoples' participation in all its activities.
But with the untimely demise of John Abraham, Odessa movement
started waning.
