Union government blocks 19 films at IFFK, including Palestine titles and 100-year-old Battleship Potemkin

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has withheld permission for 19 films to be screened at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) 2025, which runs from December 12-19 in Thiruvananthapuram.

The blocked films include several with themes related to Palestine, as well as Sergei Eisenstein's classic film *Battleship Potemkin*. This Soviet-era movie, celebrating its 100th anniversary, is renowned for its innovative montage techniques and depicts a naval mutiny during the Russian Revolution of 1905.

Among the specific titles denied clearance are Palestinian films such as *Palestine 36*, *Once Upon a Time in Gaza*, *All That’s Left of You*, and *Wajib*.

While films at festivals do not require censor certification, they still need an exemption from the Union Ministry. Festival organizers have stated that they have previously had individual films denied exemptions. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. the denial of permission for such a large number of films is unprecedented and has disrupted the festival's schedule.

Cuckoo Parameswaran, Vice Chairperson of IFFK, told reporters that the ministry received 187 movie submissions for exemption. Nineteen films are still awaiting approval. The situation is causing significant problems for attendees who have already booked flights and registered for the festival. Nine movies had to be canceled on December 15 alone.

The rejected list also includes *Beef*, a Spanish film about a rap singer, and *Santosh* by Sandhya Suri, which addresses casteism and has garnered international acclaim, including recognition at Cannes. Suri is currently a jury member at IFFK. Despite Abderrahmane Sissako receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the festival, two of his acclaimed films, *Timbuktu* and *Bamako*, were also denied permission.

Several films on the list, such as the Egyptian drama *Clash* and Fernando Solanas’s *The Hour of the Furnaces* from Argentina, have been screened at previous IFFK editions. Other films that did not receive clearance include *Eagles of the Republic*, *Heart of The Wolf*, *Red Rain*, *Riverstone*, *Tunnels: Sun in the Dark*, *Yes*, and *Flames*.

The issue became apparent after multiple screenings were canceled on December 14 and 15.

Veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan has strongly criticized the decision, calling the blocked movies important works in cinema history. He added that denying their screening reflects ignorance, especially in the case of *Battleship Potemkin*, which he considers a textbook for studying cinema. Gopalakrishnan urged authorities to reconsider their decision.