Children's films have reduced to a trickle, regrets chief minister

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regretted on Thursday that though more than 150 Kannada films are produced every year, only a few of them are children’s movies.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of the International Children’s Film Festival in the City. The chief minister said, “Though the State government is releasing funds, not many children-oriented Kannada movies are being produced, which is unfortunate. Films are an effective medium and have a strong influence on the children’s minds. Hence, more children’s films with an effective message should be produced.”

The chief minister went on, “Films with obscene elements, double entendre and violence should not be made. They will carry a wrong message.”

Siddaramaiah said that as a child he used to watch four films in a week. He said, “It does not mean that you (children) should also do so. Instead, you should take parents’ permission and watch a good movie. Watching films made in different countries will help one understand culture and tradition. One can also compare the movies made in India and other countries.”

Artistes who have made a name for themselves as child artistes like Master Manjunath, Master Anand and Vinayak Joshi were felicitated on the occasion.

Films from countries like Brazil, Hungary, Switzerland and Iran will be screened in 104 theatres across the State from November 14 to 20. The film festival is organised by the State government in association with the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy. The films will be screened daily from 8 am to 10 am.

Films to be shown to children in the age group of 6-10 years are: Taina (Brazil), Yellow Colt (Mongolia), Blue Tiger, Journey to the Beginning of Time (Czech Republic), Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya, Kafal (India).

The films for children in the age group of 11-16 years are: Cinderella Moon (China), Children of Heaven (Iran), In the name of Sherlock Holmes (Hungary), Journey to the Beginning of Time (Czech Republic), Clara and the Secrets of the Bears (Switzerland), Inuk (Greenland), Alegalu, Kobe (India) and Teaching Wild Horses (USA). For details, call 080-22133410.