FilmIndia (1946)

[arch, 1946 FILMINDIA i the Government to give practical shape to the Institute :serve e\ery support from all lovers of the Indian film dustry. Coming to the proposed Indian Film Council, the >jects of this organization will be to conduct a research id technical institute, to co-ordina'e the activities of the dustry so as to raise its standard, make suggestions tc overnment on the improvement of public health regulams in cinemas, studios and about storage of films etc he Film Council will have representatives of the Central id Provincial Governments, the trade interests and the dian States. The Government will also nominate four its'anding men of letters to advise on cultural matters The proposed Film Council is another good idea if e majority decisions of the Council are carried out by the ecutives and not shelved as "mere advice" as was done the case of the Advisory Committee which co-operated ith the Government during the war. The proposed idea to give the film trade, constituted lly of the re actionary associations found at present, a ma rity voice in the Council is not, however, welcome rhi!e the different associations should have their elected presentatives — only one each — on the Council, the Gov nment should nominate others, such as journalists and dependent persons directly interested in film work or film ade but outside the associations, on the Council so that o stubborn cliques are formed and the intended progres ve work of the Council is not held up. This is most sential seeing the past experience film people have had of nhcly cliques of powerful interests operating against the cneral progress of the industry. Let the Film Council be thoroughly democratic body of people who are out to do >mething for the future weal of the industry in general id not a syndicate of self-seeking capitalists. We are warning Secretary Thapar about the personnel f the Film Council in good time, otherwise in his anxiety > secure the co-operation of the industry, he nvght play lto the hands of syndicated interests which should be Tupulously kept out of the Film Council if this body is t all to have a national and democratic complexion. While all the general aims of the Film Council are in eeping with the usual ideals of such an institution, an em of urgent importance is the present menace of foreign ompetition. which should come within the scope of the Council. This matter must be immediately thrashed out and ettled in national interest seeing that two representatives >f Arthur Rank, the British film magnate, are already losing round India and feeling their way and the Walt )isney organization is thinking of giving its cartoons the iindustani tongue to capture Indian millions. Once the oreigners secure a foothold in this country, it will be next o impossible to get them out of our industry and out of our ountry. In this respect, we appeal to P. N Thapar. the Indian f he is going to do a lot for the Indian film industry in uture, let him do something about this first. This is more han a lot the*/ co/MB ot/rsesro/v KODAK LTD (Incorporated in EngUnd) BOMBAY CALCUTTA LAHORE MADRAS 9