Papilio Buddha (film)
Papilio Buddha | |
---|---|
M J Radhakrishnan | |
Edited by | Sujoy Joseph |
Production companies | Silicon Media Kayal Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 108 minutes |
Country | India |
Languages | Malayalam English |
Papilio Buddha is a 2013 Indian film written and directed by
Plot
The film unfolds in fictional space, in a
Shankaran, a young Dalit man, befriends a white
Shankaran's father is a
When Manjusree hits a lecherous union leader, and Shankaran is arrested for illegally catching butterflies, the events spark off two acts of violence which politicise and radicalise the community, some of whom are queer, who decide to shun the peaceful tactics proscribed by Mahatma Gandhi in favour of rebellion.
The film brings into focus, an example of the epic land struggles, which was fought in various regions of the state and across India, and the oppression of indigenous people by the powerful political and social establishments. It also maps environmental degradation and abuse of pristine mountain habitats by outside forces.
Cast
- S. P. Sreekumar as Shankaran
- David Briggs as Jack
- Saritha Kukku as Manju
- Kallen Pokkudan as Kandal Kariyan
- Thampi Antonyas Ramdasji
- Padmapriya as Collector
- Prakash Bare as SP
- Surabhi Lakshmi
Production
The film marks the debut of Jayan K. Cherian as a feature filmmaker. A student of Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, he had previously done several experimental films and short fictions including Shape of the Shapeless, Love in the Time of Foreclosure, Hidden Things, Soul of Solomon and Capturing the Signs of God.
Papilio Buddha is inspired by several events that happened in various Dalit communities in Kerala, including their struggle for land in places such as
Release
Censorship
The film was denied censor certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The CBFC stated that the screening rights were denied as the film had visuals and dialogues denigrating iconic leaders including Mahatma Gandhi (In a scene from the film, a group of irate Dalits burn an effigy of Mahatma Gandhi as they oppose attempts by a mainstream political party to take up their cause by going on a fast.), E. M. S. Namboodiripad and Ayyankali apart from visuals of extreme violence and extreme torture of women by police. Jayan K. Cherian says that the ban on the public screening of the film is essentially fascistic in nature.[3] Cherian says, "The Board has listed a number of reasons for denying the certification based on its archaic set of guidelines designed to give overwhelming dominance for the state. Most of the objections are about denigrating Gandhi, Ayyankali, Buddha et al. The perceived denigration seems to be coming from the realistic treatment of the climax scene - dalits' agitation and their confrontation with the police who use force to evict them."
The Censor Board had also taken exception to the language used in the film. Usage of extremely filthy language and expletives by numerous characters throughout the film, calling caste names such as 'Pulaya', 'Pulakalli', etc. in a derogatory manner, dialogues denigrating communal sections of the society etc. is what the board noted. "The typical and realistic Malayalam used by the filmmaker for the characters in this film may be different from the usual commercial film language but calling it filthy is very subjective. The atrocities the Dalit activists Sankaran and Manju go through in this film are reflections of social injustices happening in our society without exaggeration," explained Jayan.[4][5]
In January 2013, the board decided to give certification to the film after the makers agreed to mute a controversial speech by Ambedkar in the movie. In the speech, Ambedkar implies that Gandhi was cheating Dalits by denying them an electoral constituency of their own during the Yervada jail fast in 1932. Prakash Bare says, "The Censor Board had cited nearly 30 instances. Finally, we agreed to mute the offending speech and also blurring in certain scenes. We agreed as it won't change the structure of the film."[6]
IFFK screening
The film was denied a screening at the 17th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) which created much controversy. The film was not included in the nine Malayalam films selected for screening in the festival in two different categories. Jayan K. Cherian kicked off the controversy by stating that he was shocked by the decision of the jury headed by director Sibi Malayil. "Private screening, especially at the film festivals, needed no censor certificates. The jury had almost taken a decision in the film's favour, but it was averted at the last moment for political reasons," he said.[7]
Private screening
A preview of the film was held in Thiruvananthapuram in September 2012. The screening brought a number of Dalit Human Rights Movement (DHRM) activists to the theatre hall. "The film has not shown even one-hundredth of the torture borne by us. And now they won’t even allow our film to be screened," says Thathu, a Dalit who saw the film. About the denigrating remarks about Mahatma Gandhi, the director said, "Gandhi has a saintly image created through our educational system and the media. When we brought out a counter-narrative to the official one, there is no space for us. Then how can it be a democracy?"[8]
International premiere
Initially banned in India and subsequently certified for theatrical distribution, Papilio Buddha had a world premiere on 19 March 2013 at the 27th London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival organised by the British Film Institute. It was the only Indian film to be selected for the festival.[9][10] The film was an inaugural film in three festivals — International Film Festival Thrissur, Chittur Panchajanayam International Film Festival and Jamia Milia Malayalam Film Festival.[10] The film has been screened at Montreal World Film Festival, Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival and Athens International Film and Video Film Festival in 2013. The film was the only Indian film selected to be screened in the Panorama Section at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival.[11]
Theatrical release
The film reached theatres on 15 March 2013.[12][13]
Reception
Malayalam writer Deedi Damodaran included Papilio Buddha among the five films that she feels were fair in portraying the gender issue in a feature published by The Hindu.[14] She said, "Our society is not yet ready to face the statements this film makes. The film deals with gender and Dalit issues in a raw manner, and I feel these are causes that are inseparable. Papilio Buddha chooses not to beat about the bush. It is bold and clear and relevant. No wonder the state was worried by the revelations made so loudly and unapologetically."[9]
Although the makers of the film vehemently opposes any negative remarks about Gandhi, a writeup on the film by Alex Davidson for the British Film Institute notes:
- To western eyes, this community may be unfamiliar, and the scorn shown towards Gandhi's teachings (principally his advocacy of hunger strikes) may shock those whose image of the leader is influenced by
Accolades
The film won Jayan K. Cherian a
References
- ^ "Director Jayan Cherian's Interview". Manorama. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- ^ "The Butterfly effect"
- ^ "Ban on Papilio Buddha is fascism"
- ^ "Makers of 'Papilio Buddha' move censor tribunal"
- ^ "Papilio Buddha director terms CBFC a draconian institution "
- ^ "Papilio Buddha gets censor certification"
- ^ "This time, Papilio Buddha out of IFFK"
- ^ "Screening the reality"
- ^ a b c "Festival gem: Papilio Buddha". British Film Institute. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ a b "Unfettered feature". The Hindu. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ "Filmes brasileños y lo último de Gondry estarán en Berlín" (in Spanish). El Universal. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ Indian Express. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- Sify.com. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ Rasmi Binoy ( 7 March 2013)."In a positive light". The Hindu. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ "Athens International Film Fest Winners Announced" Archived 22 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Athens International Film and Video Festival. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ Radhika C Pillai (4 October 2013). "Pappilio Buddha bags two awards". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
External links
- Papilio Buddha at IMDb
- K. Satchidanandan (30 November 2012). "To break a butterfly on a wheel". Tehelka.
- "Indian Censor Board Restricts Papilio Buddha, A Gandhi Critic Movie". Global Voices. 12 March 2013.
- S. Anandan (9 September 2012). "Papilio Buddha director terms CBFC a draconian institution". The Hindu.
- Divya Trivedi (1 October 2012). "The Butterfly effect". The Hindu.
- Anuj Kumar (4 October 2012). "The counter narrative". The Hindu.
- S. R. Praveen (3 September 2012). "Censorship regime archaic, says film-maker". The Hindu.
- "Film censorship has no place in a democracy: Director Cherian". Micro Finance Monitor (New York City). 1 September 2012.
- "Censor board’s rejection of film on Kerala Dalits triggers debate". Micro Finance Monitor (New York City). 1 September 2012.
Reviews
- Alex Davidson, British Film Institute
- Tom Cottey, Reflections
- J. Devika, Kafila Archived 31 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- Paresh C. Palicha, Rediff