‘More films before I die’

Films are his passion. And at 92, Japanese director Kaneto Shindo says he has a some more films to go before the journey ends. That was Shi...

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Films are his passion. And at 92, Japanese director Kaneto Shindo says he has a some more films to go before the journey ends.

That was Shindo’s message to The Indian Express-presented Third Eye Asian Film Festival, inaugurated on Saturday. As Kaneto’s granddaughter, Kaze, aided by an interpreter, read out Shindo’s message, the packed hall applauded. ‘‘I started making films when I was 22. I am 92 now and couldn’t travel to Mumbai, but I will make a few more films before I die,’’ said the indefatigable Shindo who has 40 films, including the cult classic Island, and over 50 scripts to his credit.

In its third year, the festival features 60 films, including the critically acclaimed Osama by Afghan director Siddiq Barmak. Barmak who was felicitated at the festival, said: ‘‘We are part of the same culture. I have always admired Indian masters like Satyajit Ray and Shyam Benegal.’’

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It was Benegal who originated the idea of an Asian film festival in Mumbai a few years ago. ‘‘As I participated in film festivals across the world, I realised Asian representation was not sufficient at festivals,’’ Benegal said. ‘‘Indian films are making waves. Some great films are being made in Japan, China and Indonesia.’’

Another attraction at the festival is a seminar on Aesthetics of Asian Cinema on Sunday where Kim Dong Ho, director, Pusan International Film Festival, Milan’s Italo Spinelli and Prasanna Vithanage from Sri Lanka will participate.