Filmmaking in India continues to get better: Milton Shefter

New Delhi: Milton Shefter, who is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), believes that Indian cinema has continued to showcase improved performances over the years."When I was in India before, I saw a picture, titled `Shwaas`. I absolutely adored the movie. At that point I thought that Indian filmmaking has changed. It`s no longer just Bollywood which were wonderful warm pictures. Indian cinema is celebrating 100 years but the movie making continues to be better," Shefter said.

"You have wonderful actors, who give tremendous performances. The directors are also good," he added. `Shwaas` was a Marathi film which released in 2004. It was India`s official entry to the 2004 Oscars and was ranked 6th in the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film category. Shefter and Andy Maltz, the director of AMPAS, are in the country to promote their book `The Digital Dilemma`, which is set to be released in Marathi on October 22 in Mumbai. On their visit here, the duo met the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to discuss the concerns surrounding the preservation of digital motion pictures. "We have come to primarily discuss the issues of science and technology of motion pictures of The Academy. We met the ministry who shared some of their concerns about the preservation of digital pictures with the motion pictures," Maltz said. "These concern arise because movies made earlier could be stored for 100 of years. But we do not know now for how long would digital movies last. So we discussed the possible problems and solutions with the ministry," he added. Shefter thinks that the archives of Indian cinema needs more protection as it a national heritage. When Shefter was quizzed about the chances of `The Good Road` winning an Oscar, he said it depends upon the audience`s response. The movie is representing India in the Best Foreign Film category. "I do not know. It depends how the audience response to the `The Good Road`," he said. Shefter said the Academy while selecting a film emphasises on the importance of story and excellence in depicting it. "We look at excellence. It has to do with what we see. When we watch it, we see it as a part of the audience. When you combine sight, sound and emotions, that is what movies are. In the story the protagonist has to be able to attract you so that you want to share two hours of your life experiencing it," he added.