Centre blocks over 19 films at Kerala Film Festival
The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) has become the center of a controversy after the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting refused to grant censor-exemption certificates for 19 selected films. Among the affected titles is Battleship Potemkin, the 1925 silent classic by Soviet filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein, widely regarded as a landmark in world cinema. Several films exploring Palestinian themes were also caught up in the clearance denial.
Festival organizers typically apply for special exemptions to allow screenings at international events without certification. This year, delays and refusals from the Centre created uncertainty, forcing the cancellation or postponement of at least seven scheduled screenings. Audiences and delegates, who had relied on the official festival program, found themselves unable to view films they had anticipated for months.
The Kerala government responded strongly, framing the situation as a matter of artistic freedom. Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian criticized the central authorities, calling the denial of permissions “anti-democratic” and asserting that audiences should not be deprived of the festival’s curated selection. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the move as an unacceptable restriction on creative expression and directed festival organizers to proceed with screenings regardless of central clearance.
Following negotiations, four of the contested films eventually received approval: Beef, Eagles of The Republic, Heart of the Wolf, and Once Upon a Time in Gaza. Despite this partial relief, 15 films—including Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin and several works focused on Palestinian stories—remain without clearance, leaving their screening status unresolved.
The controversy has drawn criticism from prominent cultural figures and politicians. Veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan questioned the rationale for blocking films with significant historical and artistic value, pointing out that many of them have been featured in international festivals for decades. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called the decision embarrassing, especially the exclusion of Battleship Potemkin, and argued that it reflects poorly on India’s engagement with global cinema.
Observers have noted that the dispute raises broader questions about censorship, federal authority, and the autonomy of cultural institutions. Some critics speculate that the subject matter of certain films may have influenced the decision to withhold clearance, though officials have emphasized that all selections were made on artistic merit.
As the festival continues toward its conclusion, organizers are determined to ensure that audiences gain access to the full program. The standoff has turned the event into a flashpoint for debates on artistic freedom, procedural fairness, and the right of states to safeguard cultural expression. For attendees, the festival remains both a celebration of cinema and a real-time reminder of the tensions between creative autonomy and governmental authority in contemporary India.
