Trendsetter filmmaker Ingmar Bergman...

"Ingmar Bergman, whose films have inspired many movie makers to make neo-realist films, is now unwanted even in Germany,'' says Jan Erik Holst, director of Norwegian Film Institute.

Participating in a panel discussion on 'Contemporary Indian and Norwegian Film Production - Great Contrast, Common Challenges' in Calcutta, on April 25, Holst said that Bergman was not wanted any more in Germany because people are fed up of 'problem' films. "They just want to be entertained," he said.

"Do not come with problem films,'' he said while talking about his participation in a film festival in Germany. The Norwegian films have a good market in Western Europe and Germany, he informed.

He said the 1990s were a boom for Norwegian films. "Its a golden era for films of our country with major box office hits and some films getting nomination in the international competitions."

Mr Holst said that it was quite an achievement for a country of 4.4 million, which produced 10 to 11 films annually. Most of the films were state sponsored, though now private funding was entering in a big way and the government hoped to earn revenue from the industry too. "Current topics, relevant themes, dominant issues and current trends are finding way into the films and we are greatly inspired by the films from down South."

He added, "Norwegian children's films are highly acclaimed in foreign markets and festivals. The Bollywood festival and Films from the South are much appreciated in Norway, with Norwegians, Indians and Pakistanis thronging the auditoriums screening them."

Ase Meier, board member of the festival, said she planned to discuss certain issues with female filmmakers in the country and invite them for making films in Norway.

Some of the internationally acclaimed female directors like Torun Lian and Berit Otto Nesheim, whose films like Frida - Straight From The Heart have had international recognition, will feature in the festival.

Films covering a wide vista of emotions like child psychology, black comedy and human response, effects of religious orthodoxy on children, effects of war, will also be screened.

Some of the films worth the mention are Only Clouds Move the Stars, Junk Mail, The Prompter, The Other Side of Sunday, Mendel, and Zero Kelvin.

UNI