Preserving Cinematic Heritage: A Cross-Border Initiative

The India’s Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) is taking a giant leap towards film preservation. It has joined hands with French diplomatic missions across India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The collaboration aims to undertake a two-year project, FISCH (France-India-Sri Lanka Cine Heritage), to safeguard film heritage across borders.

Enjoying the backing of the French Embassy and the French Institute in India, along with the French Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, FISCH is an extensive project. It stretches over two years and is primarily focused on training, film restoration, preservation, and outreach.

The collaboration has commenced with a film preservation and restoration workshop that continues until November 14 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in southern India. The workshop, organized in association with the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF), is hosting 67 participants for intensive training in film restoration and preservation techniques. The initiative is graced by faculty from prestigious French institutions including Cinémathèque de Toulouse, Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé, and Institut National de l’Audiovisuel (INA).

FISCH: A Project of Restoration and Preservation

One of the first initiatives of the FISCH project is the restoration of “Gehenu Lamai,” a 1978 Sinhala-language coming-of-age drama film. The film, directed by Sumitra Peries and produced by Lester James Peries, is a gem of Sri Lankan cinema. Eleven Sri Lankan participants will be part of the restoration team, joining hands with the Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation.

Beyond restoration, the project also envisions a permanent training center in Mumbai. This center aims to nurture new generations of film preservationists through annual training programs.

The Significance of FISCH

Marie-Noëlle Duris, Chargée d’Affaires at the French Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, sheds light on the significance of the project. She emphasizes its role in preserving Sri Lankan cinema and hails “Gehenu Lamai” as a “cinematographic gem.” She adds, “This promising project will pay tribute to the immense talent of the director, a long-standing friend of France, as well as to the invaluable contribution of Sri Lankan cinema to the world, highlighting the need for preservation of this heritage.”

French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, also underscores the importance of preserving India’s film heritage. He asserts, “The Indian film industry is one of the largest and most prolific in the world. Conserving, restoring and making films from India and Sri Lanka available to audiences is a way to preserve a part of the world’s cultural heritage for future generations.”

A Historical International Initiative: FISCH

Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, the FHF director, refers to FISCH as “a historic international initiative.” He also shares his personal connection to the project, having known filmmakers Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries. Sumitra Peries had even sent him notes on the films she wanted to restore.

In the past, FHF has restored two iconic films – Girish Kasaravalli’s “Ghatashraddha” (1977) and Shyam Benegal’s “Manthan” (1976). Both these films debuted at the famed Venice and Cannes film festivals, respectively, earlier this year.

FHF has also worked with Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project in the past to restore Aravindan Govindan’s milestone Malayalam-language films “Kummatty” (1979) and “Thamp̄” (1978). The restored “Thamp̄” was selected for Cannes Classics 2022. Additionally, FHF restored Aribam Syam Sharma’s Manipuri-language film “Ishanou” (1990), which played at Cannes Classics 2023. FHF is currently working on restoring more Indian classics, including Ramesh Sippy’s “Sholay” (1975), Shyam Benegal’s “Manthan” (1976), and Nirad Mahapatra’s “Maya Miriga” (1984).

Conclusion

Film preservation is an integral part of maintaining the cultural heritage of a society. Projects like FISCH are a step forward in preserving this heritage for future generations. Through its restoration and preservation efforts, FISCH aims to safeguard the cinematic treasures of India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

FAQs

What is the FISCH project?

The FISCH project is a two-year initiative by the India’s Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) in collaboration with French diplomatic missions across India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives to preserve and restore films from these regions.

What are the key objectives of the FISCH project?

The FISCH project aims at training, film restoration, preservation, and outreach. It also plans to establish a permanent training center in Mumbai to nurture new generations of film preservationists.

What are some films restored by the FHF?

FHF has restored several films including Girish Kasaravalli’s “Ghatashraddha” (1977), Shyam Benegal’s “Manthan” (1976), Aravindan Govindan’s “Kummatty” (1979), and “Thamp̄” (1978), among others.

Credit: variety.com