A below-average signature film for the int'l festival

Bengaluru,: There are so many ways a film festival’s signature film can be made. Every year, the Bengaluru International Film Festival spends a considerable amount of money on the signature film.

The routine every year is the two-headed state bird Gandaberunda flying around the world.

A fresh film is made for every edition of the festival.

This year, the festival’s theme is Sarvajanangada Shantiya Thota (Tranquil garden of diverse people), a line from Kuvempu’s Jaya Bharatha Jananiya Tanujate, the state anthem.

The Gandaberunda is again depicted flying, but this time it is visiting Karnataka’s popular tourist spots.

The mythical bird begins its journey from Hampi and ends it at the Vidhana Soudha, giving the film a tourism department approach. Kuvempu’s song plays in the background. The animation is basic and old fashioned.

There are many young and talented filmmakers who have the ability to bring in fresh perspectives but it looks like the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy hardly has any time for talent scouting.

A montage from films showing people from diverse cultures would perhaps have suited Kuvempu’s poetry better.

The signature film needs to show better taste!