in cooperation with International Institute of Film and Culture, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, MOP Vaishnav College
Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Chennai in cooperation with
- International Institute of Film and Culture
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology
- MOP Vaishnav College
presents 2-days workshop on “
Contemporary German and Tamil Cinema: Similarities, Styles and Synergies duly curated by
Dr. Uma Vangal, a film scholar and professor and the Dean at the International Institute of Film and Culture, Chennai. It is an effort to create more awareness on global themes and the global gaze in contemporary cinema among media students and for film students, the
Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan, Chennai has designed a capacity building initiative on critical film appreciation.
Uma Vangal is an Adjunct faculty teaching Film & Cultural Studies at Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. A filmmaker, film professor, Fulbright scholar, columnist, public speaker and media analyst, Prof. Vangal teaches Script writing, Film direction, Popular Indian Cinema Film criticism, Writing the short fiction film, Directing for Camera, and Feminist film studies in India and the US. Her research into Women on Screen in popular Indian cinema resulted in her framework for decoding female representation in popular Indian cinema 'the Fitmus test' that she presented in a TedX talk (Tedxwomen 2019). Currently, she is Dean of Research at International institute of Film and Culture and an Adjunct faculty at Asian College of Journalism, Chennai.
Germany and India have an interesting history of shared cinematic journeys, evident in early collaborations between Indian and German filmmakers and technicians. The blend of techniques from German Expressionism and Indian storytelling traditions led to a new cinematic idiom that we call the Indian Melodrama. Successful films made by Himanshu Rai, Franz Osten and Cinematographer Joseph Wirsching are a testimony to this shared heritage.
Historically, one can see the deep impact that German expressionism had on Indian cinema in its melodramatic form. In many ways, Tamil cinema has been influenced by German cinematic techniques that have resonated through the ages. The films of today in Germany and India are distinct and different; yet, the global audiences they are made for, often create synergies in unexpected ways. Some of these resonances were noted in passing during screening of German films in the city at the Goethe-Institut and film festivals.
Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Chennai has initiated these workshops by focusing on the artistic connections in cinema that will create new bridges between the audiences in both countries. As two leading democracies that influence their respective regions in numerous ways, fostering such shared cultural bonds is essential.
Discerning film audiences in Chennai are always open to new insights on cinema. Tamil Nadu is at the forefront of constantly evolving contemporary Indian cinema. The idea of comparing, contrasting, and studying these two cinematic worlds led to this initiative in Chennai.
Many media and film students, engrossed in watching films and learning about script writing and film production, often overlook the importance of understanding cultural and global nuances. Some of them might not have been exposed to various critical perspectives on film appreciation.
The event is conceived as an interactive film based two-day workshop for Chennai city colleges to generate explorations of interconnected themes and issues in German and Tamil cinema among youngsters. The boundaries between local and global narratives are becoming increasingly intertwined, revealing insights into issues that resonate across cultures.
A select set of German films will be screened to city college students and faculty to draw their attention to similarities and divergences in Tamil cinema that will enhance the understanding of both cinematic traditions.
The Objectives:
- Create awareness on the parallels in German and Tamil cinema and the role these two culture industries play in popular culture and the socio-political fabric of their societies.
- Generate debates on shared issues and concerns of importance and relevance among the respective audiences
- Foster better understanding of cinematic traditions and treatments in both countries
- Inspire young minds to reach across cultures to deal with crucial social issues through the prism of cinema in a positive manner
Expected Outcomes:
- An awareness of the rich cinematic traditions from both Germany and India, with a particular emphasis on Tamil Nadu.
- A clear understanding of cinema's symbolic and metaphoric language and its potential impact.
- Enhanced communication and visualization skills to creatively and effectively address societal and political challenges.
- An understanding of how to utilize cinema innovatively for the visual representation of social issues and themes.
- An improved ability to recognize and resonate with global issues that bind different cultures and communities as audiences.
- A sharpened perception of the local versus global dynamics and an appreciation of the cultural and political roles films play in society.
A deeper self-awareness concerning cultural perspectives, viewpoints on various matters, and enhanced means for self-representation and identification.
Scope of the Workshop:
The curator has handpicked and selected four lead colleges in Chennai and who will host a one day workshop at their colleges inviting students from other colleges to watch and critically appreciate a contemporary Tamil film with Dr. Vangal guiding them. Themes, treatments and styles will be studied and analysed.
The second part of the workshop will be hosted by Goethe-Institut and will consist of two parts:
- screening of a contemporary German film that corresponds some what with the contemporary Tamil film
- followed by a panel discussion with two young upcoming film reviewers/critics from the city.
- Students will share their views, debate points raised by the panelists and have an extensive Q&A session.
Entry for registered students only.
Date/ Time/ Venue / Films
Schedule: 1
13.9.2023 / International Instt. Of Film & Culture / Critical Film Appreciation Workshop.
(pre-requisite for the students to see the film *
Nakshathiram Nagargiradhu by
Pa. Ranjith before the workshop and the film is avaialble in OTT Platform
Netflix)
15.9.2023 / 2.00- 5.00 pm / Goethe-Institut Auditorium / **
Kokon by
Leonie Krippendorff followed by an interactive session with ***Film Experts.
Schedule: 2
5.10.2023 / SRM Institute of Science and Technology / Critical Film Appreciation workshop.
(pre-requisite for the students to see the tamil film
KD by
Madhumitha before the workshop and this film is availabale in OTT Pltform
Primevideo)
6.10.2023 / 2.00 - 5.00 pm / Goethe-Institut Auditorium /**
Sommerhäuser by
Sonja Maria Kröner followed by an interactive session with Film Experts.
Schedule 3
13.10.2023 / MOP Vaishnav College / Critical Film Appreciation workshop
(pre-requisite for the students to see the tamil film
Queen by
Gautham V Menon before the workhsop and the film is available in OTT Platform
MXPlayer)
14.10.2023 / 2.00 - 5.00 pm / Gethe-Institut Auditorium / **
Eine flexible Frau by
Tatjana Turanskyj followed by an interactive session with ***Film Experts.
* Tamil Film
** German Film
***
Film experts:
Avinash Ramachandran and
Ashameera Aiyappan will interacte with Film Students during the panel discussion
Only for registered students via google form.
Back
