An attack on progressive cinema

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting denied censor exemption to 19 out of 206 films scheduled for screening at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), leading to controversy. The decision, which included films like Palestinian works and Sergei Eisenstein's "Battleship Potemkin," caused disruption and prompted protests from the Kerala government, which ordered the screenings despite the denial. The State Chalachitra Academy faced pressure from the Ministry to reconsider its stance, with some filmmakers criticizing the academy's decision. The IFFK has been a platform for progressive films that are not always palatable to certain political groups and is seen as one of the few remaining major film festivals in India.