Hyderabad|India|November'2009: The ongoing ‘Golden Elephant’ 16th international Children’s Film Festival has brought the focus back on ‘ child rights ‘ and also the important of preserving the blossoms of childhood have once come under public scanner .

More than what the adults - film critics and film makers - say about - how it is done and how it should be done , it is interesting to note the children at par - school children and particularly the street children ( including orphans and destitute ) feel and say about their rights and also what they expect in children’s films.

In simple words Sunita a 11 year orphan child of a local school said ‘ I did rather watch an adventurous movie with action and thrill rather than a film which sermonized us on good and bad in the society ‘. Her hostel mate Pranitha (9) was more articulate ‘ We get booed and screamed at e very day .Why should we come to a cinema hall to see them again “.

The need for a focus on what the children expect in a film is to escape from the environment around them – be it home( oppressive parents ) or school (competitive and suppressing).

The website spoke to some school children and delegates who had come from Delhi and Tamil Nadu and their expressions were mind boggling . “ Why do films have a taboo on sex in children’s films ?, we witness many things in our daily life ?” said Prakash Gupta , delegate from Delhi . Purushottam a delegate from Tamil Nadu said ‘ It would be better if the children’s films displayed the ill effects of such social aspects like illegal sex , smoking and rowdism ‘.

Many children interviewed at the theatres in city cinema halls said the films of china and Germany showed how concern for greenery , air and water pollution . “Unfortunately in India such concerns are displayed as a matters for elders only . Why don’t they understand that it is the children who will be first hit due to pollution and ecological imbalances?’ , said Sajid Ali khan, a sixth std student of Nasr school .

What the children want in films is necessarily described by adults as ‘ dreams ‘ and ‘ fantasy ‘. The task is to ensure that these fantasies are not wild fantasies which drive the kids crazy and harm themselves or others in trying to emulate them , says veteran film makers .

The market compulsions which drive the film makers to add comedy action and thrill are described by children a s lame exuses driving the children’s films space . “ They pack it all just to ensure the entertainment of the elders also who accompany us to the theatres “ said one of Child delegates from Karnataka.

How to popularize the children’s films and also make it economically viable. Here is a boquet of ideas from children (MOSTLY CHILD DELEGATES AND OTHER CHILDREN WHO VISITED PRASAD IMAX FOR FILMS) themselves .

• Schools should organize weekly shows of childrens popular films in near by auditoriums .
• Government should form a separate Children’s film Development corporation and enthuse young film makers .
• Good and entertaining childrens’s films should be bought by bodies like UNICEF to the door step of children .
• Film producers like Walt Disney and also Indian film makers should be commissioned to make small budget children’s films .
• Finally neighbourhood restaurants and cultural centres should be encouraged to become platforms for promoting children’s films movement.
• Encourage children’s film clubs in schools like sports clubs .

 

Reachout's News Bureau
November' 2009