Cinema is a medium of the masses and for the masses. From the elite in chic urban centres to the rustic folk in rickety movie-halls – the reach of the medium is unimaginable.
This vast access is the reason that it inspires so much interest.Curiosity about cinema ranges from idle inquisitiveness about the lives of stars, to a scholarly concern about the various aspects of filmmaking. Film literature caters to the entire spectrum.
The potential of films to influence society has widely been acknowledged. Films often contain social or political content that is concealed to prevent them from becoming preachy. The incorporation of these ideas may be intentional or coincidental. Irrespective of intent, these veiled messages become an interesting area of debate and deliberation. Demystifying the content of films and providing alternative interpretations is a challenge I love to take up.

Filming is an art that works at multiple levels. However, the press generally restricts itself to certain domains of the film such as the story and the performances or at best comments on the camerawork. I prefer to understand films from a larger perspective and would like to include every aspect of filmmaking in my writing. Dissatisfaction with current coverage draws me to film writing.

I believe that a more informed viewing of films leads to better appreciation of the nuances of the medium. This is the reason why I enjoy reading and writing about films. Films have their own intricacies that are not immediately obvious to a viewer, but the knowledge of which enhances the experience of watching a film.

Ananya Dutta
© FIPRESCI 2008

Ananya Dutta is a student of Print Journalism at the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She has graduated in Commerce from Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, Pune.