Censor delay stalls screening of 19 films; IFFK in terrible mess

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) fell into a crisis after the screening of 19 films was stopped following a delay in securing a censor exemption certificate. The screening of eight more films may be cancelled tomorrow. Three films in the Palestine package have not received screening permission.

The censor exemption certificate issued by the Broadcasting Ministry is essential for screening films. CPM General Secretary MA Baby alleged that the failure to grant permission is an attempt by the central government to sabotage the festival. Adoor Gopalakrishnan, meanwhile, pointed fingers at the central government for ruthlessly banning films based on their names.

List of movies that were stopped from screening:

1. A Poet: Unconcealed Poetry
2. All That’s Left of You
3. Bamako
4. Battleship Potemkin
5. Beef
6. Clash
7. Eagles of The Republic
8. Heart of The Wolf
9. Once Upon A Time In Gaza
10. Palestine 36
11. Red Rain
12. Riverstone
13. The Hour Of The Furnaces
14. Tunnels: Sun In The Dark (Địa Đạo: Mặt Trời Trong Bóng Tối)
15. Yes
16. Flames
17. Timbuktu
18. Wajib