INDIA: THE IRANIAN FILM 'CHILDREN OF PETROLEUM' CLAIM TOP HONOURS AT THE 12TH INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL IN HYDERBAD

Record ID: 1375016

  • Title: INDIA: THE IRANIAN FILM 'CHILDREN OF PETROLEUM' CLAIM TOP HONOURS AT THE 12TH INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL IN HYDERBAD
  • Date: 18th November 2001
  • Summary: MCU (English) RAHUL DUBEY, A STUDENT, SAYING: "These children film festivals are really very good and are very helpful for the children. They help us in each and every way. We come to know a lot about the historical facts. We get to know about the world out there waiting for us and can prepare for it. I request the government of Andhra Pradesh to organise these film festivals every year." MCU (Farsi) EBRAHIM FOROUZESH, IRANIAN DIRECTOR OF THE FILM CHILDREN OF PETROLEUM, SAYING: "I feel we should give more importance to the life and achievements of children. In fact we should do something for their upliftment in the society as a whole and also in the family. We should try and introduce children to the real facts of life. It is our duty to show them the reality of life through a good medium. They should not just pass time by seeing some films of entertainment. They should know what is their role in the society and how they should accept it. If we try to do that I think then we have done something real substantial for them for their future."
  • Embargoed: 6th July 2005 20:48
  • Keywords:
  • Location: HYDERABAD, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Film
  • Reuters ID: LVACG5HVA62QXSUAT80MGIR8EQZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: The Iranian film 'Children of Petroleum' which claimed top honours at the 12th International Children's Film Festival in Hyderabad, winning the Golden Elephant for the best feature film. Over 160 films were screened during the week-long festival.
    The Iranian film 'Children of Petroleum' claimed top honours at the 12th International Children's Film Festival in Hyderabad, winning the Golden Elephant for the best feature film.
    The film's director, Ebrahim Forouzesh, received the award, on the closing day of the week-long festival at which over 160 films were screened.
    In a country where films are still the major form of popular entertainment the festival proved a huge crowd puller.
    Thousands of children are thronging to see the films being screened at 10 different theatres in the city.
    Films from 40 countries including the United States, European countries, Canada, New Zealand, China, Japan and Iran besides India would be screened at the festival.
    Altogether 162 films, all rated highly by international panorama for children, are being shown in the week-long bonanza.
    Some of the school children, who have been invited as delegates, are thrilled.
    "These children film festivals are really very good and are very helpful for the children. They help us in each and every way. We come to know a lot about the historical facts. We get to know about the world out there waiting for us and can prepare for it. I request the government of Andhra Pradesh to organise these film festivals every year," said Rahul Dubey, one of the visiting students.
    Dubey said though few films dealt with subjects of generation gap, a common problem faced by today's children, he appealed to film makers to produce value-oriented and inspirational films for them.
    The film festival has been jointly organised by the Children's Film Society of India (CFSI) and United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF).
    Iranian movie "Children of Petroleum", which deals with hard times faced by children despite the country's rich oil reserves, has been appreciated by the young delegates.
    Ebrahim Forouzesh, director of the film, said the main aim of such festivals is to promote clean and educational cinema for children.
    The film shows children being bargained by their parents for a mule.
    "I feel we should give more importance to the life and achievements of children. In fact, we should do something for their upliftment in the society as a whole and also in the family. We should try and introduce children to the real facts of life. It is our duty to show them the reality of life through a good medium. They should not just pass time by seeing some films of entertainment. They should know what is their role in the society and how they should accept it. If we try to do that I think then we have done something real substantial for them for their future," said Forouzesh.
    Participating directors felt that there must be few theatres in the country which only exhibit children films.
    A three-day seminar has also been organised on the sidelines of the festival where film makers share their views on the rights of children and also interact with social and child activists.
    It is the third time that Hyderabad city is hosting this biennial film festival.
    India, one of the largest cinema producers in world, primarily caters to the middle class with commercial themes.
    The government tries to encourage films for children by producing them exclusively for the young audience.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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