Visakhapatnam: Film clubs in the combined Visakhapatnam district are getting back their former glory by screening alternative films. With modern technology, these clubs make films freely accessible to public, enriching the district’s cultural landscape with diverse cinematic experiences beyond mainstream offerings.
Narava Prakash Rao, secretary of the Vizag Film Society (VFS), told Deccan Chronicle that VFS, affiliated with the Federation of Film Societies of South Region (FFSSR), organised a three-day Telugu film festival from February 5 to 7 at the Visakhapatnam Public Library to mark Telugu Talkie Cinema Day.
Starting at 5:30 pm each day, the festival featured three acclaimed Telugu films on the opening day, including “Rythu Bidda” (1938), directed by Goodavalli Rambrahmam, “Oka Oori Katha” (1978), directed by Mrinal Sen and “Naa Autograph” (2004) directed by S. Gopal Reddy.
Prakash Rao stated that Telugu Talkie Film Day is celebrated annually to commemorate the first talkie film, “Bhakta Prahlada,” directed by HM Reddy. “This year’s festival saw many audiences in attendance.” Prakash Rao asserted.
An added benefit for the audience is free entry to watch these alternative films. Vizag Cinephiles coordinator Sujan Nallapaneni emphasised, “Films, for that matter, any art, has a great capacity to shape ideas and beliefs. The proof of this assertion is in front of us to see. The majority of our films function as escapist fantasies that take the attention of the masses away from their reality. We believe true respite can only be found in trying to change these harsh realities for good, not by being blind to reality. For that, we need good cinema, progressive cinema. That can help us open up our senses better and understand our reality better. With this aim in mind, we don’t charge any entry fee. All those who want to get away from the noise and violence of mainstream films and really want to experience the art that cinema is must be able to do that.”
The Anakapalle Film Society, established on October 2, 1977, began with 300 members and screened one film per month for 10 years. However, with the rise in popularity of television serials and the Asian Games, attendance declined, leading to society’s dormancy after 1987.
After 22 years, a new generation revived the Anakapalle Film Society, facilitated by technological advances. Society is again bringing films to the audience using an LCD projector, sound system, and laptop.
Film clubs in the combined Visakhapatnam district are undoubtedly making a remarkable comeback, contributing significantly to the region’s cultural fabric.
