"Cinema Reflects Reality; Doesn't Create It": FEFKA Rejects Blame For Violence In Society (Image-Instagram/fefkadirectorsunion)
The idea of portraying violence in cinema and its impact on society has been the topic of discussion in recent times. The Film Employee Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) has strongly refuted the claims of the Kerala government and police, who accused Malayalam cinema of being responsible for the rise of violent crimes in society.
Responding to the allegation made by politicians and lawmakers in Kerala, FEFKA issued a statement asserting that violence is shaped by deeper social issues and not by films.
The FEFKA directors union refuted the claims raised about the depiction of violence in cinema being the root cause of social evils. The union said that these allegations were made based on highly simplistic and weakly justified reflection theory.
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In a Facebook post, FEFKA wrote, “In recent times, young individuals who have committed brutal acts in our state have been said to be influenced by Malayalam films. This opinion has been expressed by authorities, political and youth leaders, police officials, psychologists, journalists, and social analysts. However, the claim that the violence depicted in cinema is the root cause of social evils is based on a “highly simplistic and weakly justified reflection theory.”
The federation also addressed the issue of films like Drishyam and Marco, which are being accused of influencing certain murders in society. It argued that the themes of these films were derived from the real-life societal issue and pointed out, “What was consumed as entertainment is deeply rooted in contemporary social realities.”
It also questioned, “Have those who watched the films of great directors like Quentin Tarantino and Michael Haneke all become violent criminals? Did Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained, and Kill Bill incite violence among American youth?”
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About the depiction of substance abuse in cinema, the federation questioned, “Police, excise officials, and the media frequently state that synthetic drugs, easily available in Kerala’s campuses, streets, hotels, and bars, play a major role in crime. If substance abuse is a significant factor in criminal behavior, should a few scenes depicting drug use in movies be solely blamed for this crisis?”
The note ended with the statement that reads, “Expressions that use violence as a mere commodity and behave as if it is the reason and means of pleasure should be criticized. Let us not forget the fact that there is still a socially sensitive system/situation here that gives amusement to such narratives. We have the willingness to debate and approach such representations of violence with caution and discretion. It is also informed that we have already started such democratic debates.”
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What did the Kerala CM and police say?
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday alleged that violence is glorified in movies and television serials, warning of its potential impact on young minds.
Citing the recent Malayalam film Aavesham as an example, Vijayan referred to a police report stating that some students, after watching the movie, attempted to associate with real-life gangsters.
Highlighting the death of the class 10 student during a clash in Thamarassery of Kozhikode, the Kerala CM highlighted the influence of films in real life. “A major concern is the way violence is celebrated in films and serials. Is there a censor board in place to regulate such content?” he asked. Vijayan pointed out that several factors contribute to mental unrest among children.
