Open Forum
'New Age Cinema and Review' – Explores How Reviews Validates Films
'New Age Cinema and Review' – Explores How Reviews Validates Films
The open forum on 'New Age Cinema and Review', held at Tagore Theatre, yielded a poignant observation: film reviews have undergone a significant paradigm shift over time. While critics of yesteryear penned their opinions with the intention of intention of leaving a lasting mark on cinematic history, contemporary reviews have largely devolved into fleeting expressions of personal sentiment.
Director V.C. Abhilash expressed that in-depth technical knowledge of filmmaking is not necessary to review a movie. Filmmaker Arjun, film critics Shreya Sreekumar, and Swathi Lakshmi Vikram also participated in the discussion. Swathi Lakshmi noted that reviews have become concise, often summarizable in a single word or sentence, and have undergone significant changes across eras. She added that modern media culture encourages moviegoers to share their opinions, effectively transforming them into film reviewers. The discussion also highlighted the need for honest reviews.
The session, moderated by Nisam Asaf, concluded with a call for balance, emphasizing that reviews must adapt to new platforms and audiences without sacrificing sincerity and substance. Honest critique, the panel affirmed, remains timeless, ensuring that meaningful cinema is recognized, celebrated, and remembered.
