Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan has strongly criticised the decision to bar 19 films from being screened at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), describing the move as unreasonable and illogical.

Reacting to the screening crisis at the festival, Adoor Gopalakrishnan questioned the rationale behind denying permission to the films, noting that such content is already widely accessible.

“...It is like a joke to ban it because almost all of us have these films at home... They should reconsider banning these films. Their decisions should not be based on the titles of the movie...” he told ANI.

Adoor’s remarks came amid mounting criticism from the film fraternity over the denial of Censor Exemption Certificates for 19 films, including several that address politically sensitive themes. The absence of clearance from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting prevented the films from being screened at the festival, triggering accusations of censorship and interference.

Earlier, filmmaker Kamal had also expressed strong disapproval of the move, calling it “very disappointing” and saying he was “furious” over the ban, while questioning why such restrictions were imposed when permissions are routinely granted for film festivals.

“(It is) very disappointing, and I am furious about this ban. I don't know why they are banning... They give the permissions for all the film festivals...,” Kamal opined.

Meanwhile, discussions are on with the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to obtain permission to screen these films at the festival.

"Battleship Potemkin, scheduled to be screened at Sree Theatre on December 15 at 6.30 pm, has been cancelled. A revised schedule will be announced soon," an IFFK message said.

Sources said Battleship Potemkin is one of cinema's most influential works, dramatising the 1905 mutiny aboard the battleship Potemkin, where sailors rebelled against brutal officers and maggot-infested food, turning their struggle into a symbol of collective resistance.

They added that the screening of "All That's Left of You" was also cancelled. The film opens in 1988 during the height of the First Intifada, when Noor, a young Palestinian boy, joins a protest in the occupied West Bank. 

Another film awaiting approval is Beef, which follows Lati, a young woman from the outskirts of Barcelona who turns to freestyle rap to confront grief, prejudice, and gender barriers after her father's death, sources said.