Lifetime award in India a paradox: Filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier

By Troy Ribeiro - - - - Panjim, Nov 24 (IANS) French filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier, who was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the opening ceremony of the 42nd International Film Festival, terms it an "irony of life" as none of his films has been released in India.

Addressing a press conference Thursday, Tavernier said: "I've received the lifetime achievement award in a country which has never released my works. It's a paradox, an irony of life."
 
 Tavernier's "The Princess of Montpensier" has not seen a theatrical release in India but was the closing film of IFFI 2010. Nevertheless he was happy that he has received recognition.
 
 Portuguese film "The Consul of Bordeaux" by director by Manuel Gonzales, was the opening film at the 42nd IFFI, but it got lost in the crowd. Commenting on this Tavernier said: "I'd be sorry if I was in his (Gonzales) boots."
 
 He also spoke about the emergence of world cinema and emphasised as to how the world is heading to a crisis due to lack of creation. According to him, the youth of today, especially in France, are "impatient morons" who are "Obsessed by brands. They want to be successful without wanting to learn."
 
 "They like to work on clichés and hence due to their ignorance, they commit murder," added the filmmaker known for his films like "Round Midnight", "It All Starts Today" and "Capitiane Conan".
 
 He repeatedly said: "To create one has to learn. Learn to accept and change."
 
 As a creator of a concept filmmaker, Tavernier wants to become the instrument of change and says that through his movies, he was able to make eighteen people take up teaching and four to become cops.
 
 He said: "Education and culture is a weapon to educate the youth. The government and politicians should put their money in lighting up the minds of the youth rather than on the poles that light the streets and squares of the city."
 
 IFFI Director Shankar Mohan said: "Ever since the closing of IFFI 2010, we have been pursuing Bertrand Tavernier and we are fortunate to get him to attend the festival this year."