Speech by Honourable Rajesh Jeetah, Minister
of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises, Commerce and Cooperatives
Opening Ceremony of the Retrospective
of Shyam Benegal Films
ICGIC at
His Excellency Shri Pripuransingh Haer, High Commissioner of
Mr Sanjiv Ranjan, Deputy High Commissioner
Mr and Mrs Shyam Benegal
Mr Christian Nayna, Chairman of MFDC
Mr S. Taukoordass, Senior Chief Executive Officer
Film Professionals
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is with immense pleasure that I am
here tonight on the occasion of the launching of the Shyam Benegal Film
Retrospective. It is a great honour to
have in our midst, Mr Shyam Benegal one of
The MFDC
has been organising such film festivals annually for the benefit of local
producers, directors and the general public.
This event has two objectives.
First, the work and presence of Mr Shyam Benegal provide inspiration to local producers and
directors. Second, to give the general
public an overview of the parallel cinema.
Over the next six days, seven
masterpieces of Mr. Benegal,
will be screened here in this magnificent Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian
Culture Auditorium. I am confident that
this retrospective will give the audience a glimpse of his cinematographic work, which
has always mirrored contemporary Indian culture. To film lovers this is an opportunity to appreciate
thought provoking films in terms of issues being treated, the content,
the story telling mode and the techniques used. These films
indicate that to narrate a story which touches the right chord of our feelings,
you do not need enormous financial resources.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Mauritians
also have been a captive audience of Bollywood commercial films over the years.
However, not many of us are familiar with art films or the parallel cinema that
depicts something different from the mainstream films - in story telling, subject
matter, and approach. The retrospective, therefore, is most welcome as it dwells
upon social issues.
Ladies and Gentlemen
As you are
all aware, films remain a powerful medium of
communication that serves to entertain and educate. A world without
films is unthinkable today. As a story telling vehicle, which weaves in the
same tapestry, dialogue, emotions, decorations, music and dance, it has
no parallel. That is why good films mesmerises audiences worldwide. Film making
is an activity with the highest degree of creativity.
Films are also part of the
entertainment business that generates employment and income. For instance, the
largest single export industry in the
It is in this context that I attach
considerable importance to all efforts being taken to develop a film industry
in
(i)
promotion
of
(ii)
development
of relevant skills across the film and audiovisual sector;
(iii)
establishment
of strategic partnerships internationally;
(iv)
organisation
of events and initiatives which promote the growth and diversification of the film and audiovisual
sector;
(v)
kindle
interest of audiences for films and audiovisual; and
(vi)
sensitize
for children and young people to engage in film and audiovisual education and
activities.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The Government, is fully committed to
the development of a Film industry. We
are promoting
These measures, together with the
efforts of the industry itself, should help to revitalise the local film
industry in the years ahead. In the
meantime, I sincerely hope you will be enriched and entertained at this film retrospective. During this week, you will have the
opportunity to view a selection of seven Bollywood’s most vibrant and original
cinema productions.
Before we settle down to enjoy tonight’s
films, I wish to take this opportunity to again thank Mr. and Mrs. Benegal for
their distinguished presence.
I wish to thank all those, both in
Thank you once again for attending
and I hope you will enjoy the retrospective.