India`s Cannes entry raises controversy in Goa

Panaji: India`s official entry into Cannes Film Festival has kicked up a controversy in Goa with the federation of film producers accusing the movie`s producer of misleading the state assembly which recently passed a resolution congratulating the filmmaker.

‘Digant’, a Konkani film, was among the films selected by Directorate of Film Festival (DFF) as country`s entry to Cannes festival which opens next month. Goa assembly passed an unanimous motion on April 18, congratulating the filmmaker for the feat. The controversy arose as ‘Digant’ did not find mention in the official list of films selected for screening at the festival. The Federation of Film Fraternity of Goa (FFAG), an organisation of the film producers based in the state, reacting to the resolution said the Speaker of the Assembly should conduct an inquiry into the congratulatory motion. FFAG chairman Augie D`Mello, in a statement released yesterday demanded that the inquiry should try to find out whether the House was misinformed by the producer and director of the movie as the film did not feature in the final list at the Cannes. "This may be actually breach of privilege wherein false and misleading information was provided to the members of the assembly," D`Mello said. The producer of the film, Sanjay Shetye, however, clarified that the motion was for selection of the film as the country`s official entry for Cannes. "I am thankful to the members of the House for the motion which was moved congratulating me and my director Dyanesh Moghe for our movie to be the official entry for Cannes Film Festival by Directorate of Film Festival along side three other Indian films," Shetye said. He said that it was an honour for a Konkani film to be selected as India`s entry for the festival. Moghe, the film director, admitted that ‘Digant’, could not make it to the finals at the Cannes as the committee in France did not select it. The film was for the competition section and we knew that it was difficult to get through, Moghe said, adding that "he and his crew were happy for being India`s selection for such a prestigious festival". ‘Digant’, a movie based on the life of a shepherd and his son, was earlier selected for Indian Panorama section of Indian Film Festival of India, 2012 and also for Mumbai Film Festival. PTI