Charting the middle path

Mr. K. G. George

After completing a series for television, Mr. K. G. George is preparing to do a feature film. This time it could be a comparison of television and film as independent media of expression. In a conversation with Anand Haridas, he expresses his concern over the crisis that has gripped the Malayalam film industry.

"We need multiplexes. A chain of small cinemas. A revolutionary change in the exhibition system."

AS A film-maker, Mr. K. G. George had made some of the best films ever in the history of Malayalam. After 21 feature films, he is now taking a short break. Making products for a new medium -- television.

He has completed a serial based on short stories by the renowned writer, Mr. T. Padmanabhan. Which, quite true to Mr. George's flair, could become a trendsetter.

"If it could attract an audience, this could be a trendsetter. For, we have thousands of good short stories in Malayalam."

After doing a couple of serials, he realises that it is the money factor that calls the shots here also. And his productions are expensive compared to the contemporary ones in all media, at all times.

"I cannot compromise in quality," he says.

Even then the realisation remains that "this is a very bad phase for the Malayalam film industry. The most painful thing is that those like me who made quality movies, as believers in the middle-path are not getting a chance to do films."

That genre does not exist now. The glow and glitter of the market has taken over.

The equation is very simple. "A good film needs not just a good director, but a good producer as well. The mind of the producer will also be reflected in the film. There are no producers now with an artistic mind."

Even establishments like the Film Institute are churning out professionals, "and not artistes or geniuses." Like John Abraham.

This being the situation, the tunnel seems a bit too long to expect some light at the end.

The only solution for this crisis must be "a change in the culture of exhibition. We need multiplexes. A chain of small cinemas. A revolutionary change in the exhibition system." If other nations have done this, why can't we?

Mr. George made his first feature film, "Swapnadanam" in 1975. "It was for the first time a film in Malayalam that broke free from direct narrative and attempted to look into the psychology of the character."

Analysing a character from the inside had always been his forte.

Be it in a musical like "Ulkadal" or a mystery like "Yavanika" or even a political satire like "Panchavadipaalam", Mr. George's characters never were two-dimensional. There was this unique depth created by an insight into human psychology. And it is precisely this eye turned to the inside that made his films worth watching -- and at times studying.

There is another aspect in which Mr. George excels as a film- maker. He could place the film medium beside another medium and make an objective comparison. The best possible example being "Yavanika".

"That was a comparative study of two mediums - theatre and film. There was also the curiosity of the viewer to know more about what goes on behind the curtain."

At present, he is working on the script of a film. This time, it is a comparison of the electronic media and film. "The film follows a television crew that cover the news of a young mother taking her dead child to the cemetery. She goes all the way in public transport, holding the dead body of the kid close to her."

He is not sure whether that would definitely be his next production. Because nothing is certain in this market.

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Section  : Southern States
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