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{{Short description|Indian film director (born 1941)}}
[[Image:Adoor_gopalakrishnan.jpg|thumb|right|'''Adoor Gopalakrishnan''' standing next to his portrait]]
{{family name hatnote|Adoor|Gopalakrishnan|Indian name|lang=Toponymic}}
'''Adoor Gopalakrishnan Unnithan''' (b. [[Adoor]], [[Pathanamthitta district]], [[Kerala]], [[South India]], [[July 3]], [[1941]]) is an internationally known Indian [[film director]]. His films are made in the [[Malayalam]] language.
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Adoor Gopalakrishnan
| image = Director Adoor Gopalakrishnan.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birthname = Mouttathu Gopalakrishnan Unnithan
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1941|07|03}}
| birth_place = [[Mannadi]], [[Adoor]], [[Kollam|Pathanamthitta district]], [[Travancore]], [[British India]]<br>(present day [[Adoor]], [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]], [[Kerala]], India)
| othername = Adoor
| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|screenwriter|film producer}}
| years_active = 1965–present
| alma_mater = [[Film and Television Institute of India]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) keen to go global, train foreign actors & technicians - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/film-and-television-institute-of-india-ftii-keen-to-go-global-train-foreign-actors-technicians/articleshow/63067198.cms|website=The Times of India|date=25 February 2018 |access-date=25 April 2018|archive-date=25 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225154915/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/film-and-television-institute-of-india-ftii-keen-to-go-global-train-foreign-actors-technicians/articleshow/63067198.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
| spouse = {{Marriage|Sunanda||2015|reason=died}}
| children = 1
| website = {{URL|adoorgopalakrishnan.com}}
| awards = {{Unbulleted_list|[[Padma Vibhushan]] (2006)|[[Padma Shri]] (1984)|[[Dadasaheb Phalke Award]] (2004)}}
}}


'''Adoor Gopalakrishnan''' (born 3 July 1941) is an Indian [[film director]], [[screenwriter|script writer]], and [[film producer|producer]] and is regarded as one of the most notable and renowned filmmakers in India. With the release of his first feature film ''[[Swayamvaram (1972 film)|Swayamvaram]]'' (1972), Gopalakrishnan pioneered the new wave in [[Malayalam cinema]] during the 1970s.<ref>{{cite news|title=Golden rigmaroles: Adoor Gopalakrishnan on the Malayalam screen|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/310716/golden-rigmaroles-adoor-gopalakrishnan-on-the-malayalam-screen.html|access-date=25 April 2018|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=31 July 2016|language=en|archive-date=26 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426014950/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/310716/golden-rigmaroles-adoor-gopalakrishnan-on-the-malayalam-screen.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In a career spanning over five decades, Gopalakrishnan has made only 12 feature films to date. His films are made in the [[Malayalam]] language and often depict the society and culture of his native state [[Kerala]]. Nearly all of his films premiered at [[Venice Film Festival|Venice]], [[Cannes Film Festival|Cannes]] and [[Toronto International Film Festival]]. Along with [[Satyajit Ray]] and [[Mrinal Sen]], Gopalakrishnan is one of the most recognized Indian film directors in world cinema.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0329715/ |title=Adoor Gopalakrishnan |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=15 June 2019 |archive-date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811224017/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0329715/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Adoor-Gopalakrishnan |title=Adoor Gopalakrishnan &#124; Biography, Movies, & Facts |access-date=15 June 2019 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812183242/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Adoor-Gopalakrishnan |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Awards and Milestones ==
Some of the awards Gopalakrishnan has won for his films:
*Dadasaheb Phalke Award - Lifetime Achievement Award in Film awarded by the [[Government of India]] ([[2005]]).
*[[National Film Awards]] - various categories for ''[[Swayamvaram]]'', ''[[Kodiyettam]]'', ''[[Elippathayam]]'', ''[[Anantharam]]'', ''[[Mathilukal]]'', ''[[Vidheyan]]'', ''[[Kathapurushan]]'' and ''[[Nizhalkkuthu]]''.
*International Film Critics Prize ([[FIPRESCI]]) - won consecutively for five feature films.
*[[London Film Festival]] - Sutherland Trophy - in [[1982]] for ''[[Elippathayam]]''
*[[British Film Institute]] Award - Most Original Imaginative Film of 1982 - ''Elipathayam''
*[[Padma Vibhushan]] - second highest civilian award from Government of India
*[[Padma Shri|Padma Sri]]


For his films, Gopalakrishnan has won the [[National Film Awards|National Film Award]] 16 times, next only to Ray and Sen. He also won the [[Kerala State Film Awards]] 17 times. He was awarded the State honours [[Padma Shri]] in 1984 and the [[Padma Vibhushan]] in 2006. He received the [[Dadasaheb Phalke Award]] in 2004 for his valuable contributions to Indian cinema.<ref name="falkeaward">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/06/stories/2005090606830700.htm |title=Adoor selected for Phalke award |access-date=3 July 2011 |date=6 September 2005 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505174552/http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/06/stories/2005090606830700.htm |archive-date=5 May 2014 }}</ref> In 2016, he was awarded the [[J. C. Daniel Award]], Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema. The [[University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee]] have established an archive and research center, the ''Adoor Gopalakrishnan Film Archive and Research Center'', at their Peck School of Arts where research students will have access to 35&nbsp;mm prints of the eleven feature films and several documentaries made by Gopalakrishnan.<ref name="Milwaukee chose me: Adoor Gopalakrishnan">{{Cite web |url=https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2013/05/06/adoor-gopalakrishnan-film-archive-research-center-at-peck-school-of-arts/ |title=Milwaukee chose me: Adoor Gopalakrishnan |last=Attipetty |first=Peter |date=6 May 2013 |website=The American Bazaar |language=en-US |access-date=11 October 2019 |archive-date=11 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011052034/https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2013/05/06/adoor-gopalakrishnan-film-archive-research-center-at-peck-school-of-arts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Documentaries and New Cinema movement ==
Apart from nine feature films, he has over 30 short films and documentaries to his credit. All the nine films he directed, from ''Swayamvaram'' to ''Nizhalkkuthu'', were screened at several international film festivals and won him several national and international awards. The [[Helsinki Film Festival]] was the first film festival to have a retrospective of his films. He has headed the jury at the National Film Awards and many international film festivals.


==Biography==
Apart from his films, Adoor's major contribution towards introducing a new cinema culture in Kerala was the constitution of the first Film Society in Kerala, "Chalachitra." He also took active part in the constitution of "Chitralekha," Kerala's first Film Co-operative Society for film production. These movements triggered a fresh wave of good films, called "art films," by directors like G Aravindan, PA Becker, KG George, Pavithran, and Raveendran. At a time this movement was so strong that even the popular cinema had to make synthesis with art cinema to create a new genre of films.
Gopalakrishnan was born on 3 July 1941 in the village of Pallickal [http://wikimapia.org/31200983/Medayil-Bungalow-Pallickal (Medayil Bungalow)] near [[Adoor]], present-day [[Kerala]].{{citation needed|date= September 2022}}


After securing a degree in Economics, Political Science and Public Administration in 1961 from the [[Gandhigram Rural Institute]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Page on Adoor Gopalakrishnan at Kerala tourism | url = http://www.keralatourism.org/index.php?zone=4&menu=59&id=21 | access-date = 8 February 2008 | archive-date = 17 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110717135042/http://www.keralatourism.org/index.php?zone=4&menu=59&id=21 | url-status = live }}</ref> he worked as a Government officer near [[Dindigul]] in [[Tamil Nadu]]. In 1962, he left his job to study screenwriting and direction at the [[Film and Television Institute of India]] Pune. He completed his course from there with a scholarship from the [[Government of India]]. With his classmates and friends, Gopalakrishnan established ''Chithralekha Film Society and Chalachithra Sahakarana Sangham''; the organization was the first film society in Kerala and it aimed at production, distribution and exhibition of films in the co-operative sector.
Adoor is an [[alumnus]] of the [[Film and Television Institute of India]] (FTII).


[[File:Adoor Gopalakrishnan 1.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Malayalam cinema director Adoor Gopalakrishnan while attending Sharjah Book Fair 2013 programme]]
== Important films ==
Gopalakrishnan's debut film, the national award-winning ''Swayamvaram'' (1972) was a milestone in [[Malayalam film]] history. The film was exhibited widely in various international film festivals including those held in Moscow, [[Melbourne]], London and Paris. The films that followed namely ''[[Kodiyettam]], [[Elippathayam]], [[Mukhamukham]], [[Anantaram]], ''[[Mathilukal (film)|Mathilukal]]'', [[Vidheyan]]'' and ''[[Kathapurushan]]'' lived up to the reputation of his first film and were well received by critics at various film festivals and fetched him many awards. However, ''Mukhamukham'' was criticized in Kerala while ''Vidheyan'' was at the centre of a debate due to the differences in opinion between the writer of story of the film Sakhariya and Gopalakrishnan.
*1972 - ''[[Swayamvaram]]'' (One's Own Choice) - Direction, story and script (with Kumaran)
*1977 - ''Kodiyettam'' (Ascent) - Direction, story and script
*1981 - ''[[Elippathayam]]'' (Rat Trap) - Direction, story and script
*1984 - ''Mukhamukham'' (Face to Face) - Direction and script
*1987 - ''Anantharam'' (Monologue)
*1989 - ''[[Mathilukal]]'' (Walls)
*1993 - ''Vidheyan'' (The Docile)
*1995 - ''[[Kathapurushan]]'' (The Protagonist)
*2000 - ''Kalamandalam Gopi'' (documentary)
*2003 - ''Nizhalkkuthu'' (Shadow Kill)


Gopalakrishnan's later films are ''[[Nizhalkuthu]]'', narrating the experiences of an executioner who learns that one of his subjects was innocent, and ''[[Naalu Pennungal]]'', a film adaptation of four short stories by [[Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai]].
==External links==
* {{imdb name|id=0329715|name=Adoor Gopalakrishnan}}
* [http://rajeevsnair.blogspot.com/2005/10/celebrity-interview-indian-film.html] Adoor Gopalakrishnan - Interview
* [http://indulekhanostalgia.blogspot.com/2006/01/adoor-in-action.html Adoor in action - photographs]
* [http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/may/06intro.htm Adoor's oeuvre]


All his films have won national and international awards (National award for best film twice, best director five times, and best script two times. His films have also won his actors and technicians several national awards). Gopalakrishnan's third feature, ''Elippathayam'' won him the coveted British Film Institute Award for 'the most original and imaginative film' of 1982. The International Film Critics Prize (FIPRESCI) has gone to him six times successively for ''Mukhamukham, Anantharam, Mathilukal, Vidheyan, Kathapurushan'' and ''Nizhalkkuthu''. Winner of several international awards like the UNICEF film prize (Venice), [[OCIC]] film prize (Amiens), INTERFILM Prize (Mannheim) etc., his films have been shown in [[Cannes]], [[Venice]], [[Berlin]], [[Toronto]], [[London]], [[Rotterdam]] and every important festival around the world.
[[Category:Malayali people|Gopalakrishnan, Adoor]]
[[Category:1941 births|Gopalakrishnan, Adoor]]
[[Category:Living people|Gopalakrishnan, Adoor]]
[[Category:Dadasaheb Phalke awardees|Gopalakrishnan, Adoor]]
[[Category:Padma Shri awardees|Gopalakrishnan, Adoor]]
[[Category:Padma Vibhushan awardees|Gopalakrishnan, Adoor]]
[[Category:Indian film directors|Gopalakrishnan, Adoor]]


In consideration of his contribution to Indian cinema, the nation honoured him with the title of [[Padma Shri]] (India's fourth highest civilian award) in 1984 and [[Padma Vibhushan]] (India's second highest civilian award) in 2006.
[[de:Adoor Gopalakrishnan]]

[[ta:அடூர் கோபாலகிருஷ்ணன்]]
Gopalakrishnan is settled in [[Thiruvananthapuram]] in Kerala. His daughter Aswathi Dorje is an [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] officer (part of the Assam cadre, 2000 batch), currently acting as Deputy Commissioner of Police in [[Mumbai]] since June 2010.<ref>{{cite web |author=A correspondent Date: 2 June 2010 Place: Mumbai |url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/jun/020610-mumbai-dcp-husband-wife-chhering-dorje-aswati.htm |title=Husband-wife set to take charge as Mumbai's DCPs |publisher=Mid-day.com |date=2 June 2010 |access-date=11 June 2012 |archive-date=25 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625202448/http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/jun/020610-mumbai-dcp-husband-wife-chhering-dorje-aswati.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050123/asp/look/story_4279220.asp | location=Calcutta, India | work=The Telegraph | title=Crimebusters | date=23 January 2005 | access-date=3 June 2010 | archive-date=24 November 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124035252/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050123/asp/look/story_4279220.asp | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In December 2023, alongside 50 other filmmakers, Gopalakrishnan signed an open letter published in ''[[Libération]]'' demanding a ceasefire and an end to the killing of civilians amid the [[Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip (2023–present)|2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip]], and for a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to be established for humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages.<ref>{{cite news|date=28 December 2023|title=Gaza : des cinéastes du monde entier demandent un cessez-le-feu immédiat|url=https://www.liberation.fr/idees-et-debats/tribunes/gaza-des-cineastes-du-monde-entier-demandent-un-cessez-le-feu-immediat-20231228_WMAUSVJVLFEBNK4ME4XU3ZRU3M/|newspaper=[[Libération]]|language=fr|access-date=24 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thefilmstage.com/claire-denis-ryusuke-hamaguchi-kiyoshi-kurosawa-christian-petzold-apichatpong-weerasethakul-more-sign-demand-for-ceasefire-in-gaza/|title=Claire Denis, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Christian Petzold, Apichatpong Weerasethakul & More Sign Demand for Ceasefire in Gaza|last=Newman|first=Nick|date=29 December 2023|website=The Film Stage|access-date=24 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=31 December 2023|title=Directors of cinema sign petition for immediate ceasefire|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-780176|newspaper=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|access-date=24 January 2024}}</ref>

His biography ''Face to Face: The Cinema of Adoor Gopalakrishnan'' (2016) has been written by film scholar [[Parthajit Baruah]] of [[Assam]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Face-to-Face |url=https://www.analpabooks.com/face-to-face |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.analpabooks.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Baruah |first=Parthajit |title=Face to Face: The Cinema of Adoor Gopalakrishnan |publisher=HarperCollins India |year=2016 |isbn=9789351361954 |language=English}}</ref>

==Documentaries and 'New Cinema' movement==
[[File:Adoor gopalakrishnan.jpg|thumb|right|Gopalakrishnan standing next to his portrait]]
Apart from nine feature films, he has over 30 short films and documentaries to his credit. The [[Helsinki Film Festival]] was the first film festival to have a retrospective of his films. He has headed the jury at the [[National Film Awards]] and many international film festivals.

Apart from his films, Gopalakrishnan's major contribution towards introducing a new cinema culture in Kerala was the constitution of the first Film Society in Kerala, "Chitralekha Film Society". He also took active part in the constitution of "Chitralekha", Kerala's first Film Co-operative Society for film production. These movements triggered a fresh wave of films, called "art films", by directors like G Aravindan, PA Becker, KG George, Pavithran, and Raveendran. At a time this movement was so strong that even popular cinema synthesised with art cinema to create a new genre of films. Bharat Gopi starred as hero 4 times in his ventures.

==Style and trademarks==

According to Gopalakrishnan "[i]n movies, the actor is not performing to the audience like the stage actor. Here they are acting for me. I am the audience and I will decide whether it is correct or not, enough or not."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adoorgopalakrishnan.com/profile.htm|title='Naalu Pennungal' not complex like my other films: Adoor|access-date=28 May 2009|publisher=[[Yahoo]] India Movies|archive-date=3 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903082245/http://www.adoorgopalakrishnan.com/profile.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
In 2014, Gopalakrishnan, then heading the advisory committee of [[International Film Festival of Kerala|The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK)]], irked controversy for introducing measures such as delegate passes being given only to those who can speak English since foreign films come with [[Subtitles|English subtitles]], these changes were criticized for promoting old-world elitism and restricting the festival's appeal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramnath |first=Nandini |date=2014-11-13 |title=Adoor Gopalakrishnan stirs controversy by restricting entry at state-run film fest to viewers who know English |url=http://scroll.in/article/689662/adoor-gopalakrishnan-stirs-controversy-by-restricting-entry-at-state-run-film-fest-to-viewers-who-know-english |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2023, he faced criticism for defending the [[K. R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts]] director, Shankar Mohan, accused of violating reservation norms and discriminating based on caste and class. Gopalakrishan's statements, dismissing allegations and emphasizing Shankar Mohan's credentials, have drawn ire.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaji |first=Sukanya |date=2023-01-17 |title=Dear Adoor, caste did not end because you discarded your surname at age 20 |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/dear-adoor-caste-did-not-end-because-you-discarded-your-surname-age-20-172093 |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref>

The students accused Gopalakrishnan, the chairman of the film institute, of shielding the institute director and not addressing their concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Film institute row: Jeo Baby withdraws 'Freedom Fight' from Kannur festival |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/12/20/jeo-baby-withdraws-movie-kannur-film-festival-protest-adoor-gopalakrishnan.html |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=OnManorama}}</ref>

==Awards and milestones==
[[File:The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting the Padma Vibhushan Award – 2006 to Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan, a leading luminary of New Indian Cinema, in New Delhi on March 20, 2006.jpg|thumb|File:The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting the Padma Vibhushan Award – 2006 to Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan in New Delhi on March 20, 2006]]

Some of the awards and appreciation Gopalakrishnan has won for his films include:

* 2016 - On the occasion of India celebrating its [[Independence Day (India)|70th Independence day]], news agency ''[[NDTV]]'' compiled a list called "70 Years, 70 Great Films" and ''[[Swayamvaram (1972 film)|Swayamvaram]]'' was among the four Malayalam films that found place in the list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Happy Independence Day: 70 Years, 70 Great Films |url=https://www.ndtv.com/photos/entertainment/happy-independence-day-70-years-70-great-films-15114 |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
* 2015 - [[Biswaratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika International Solidarity Award]]
* 2013 - [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award]] C. B. Kumar Endowment for ''Cinema yum Samskaravum'' (Essay)
* 2010 - [[Honorary Doctorate]] ([[Doctor of Letters|D.Litt]]) from [[University of Kerala]]
* 2006 - Padma Vibhushan&nbsp;— Second highest civilian award from Government of India<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/21adoor.htm|title=Adoor honoured with Padma award|access-date=28 May 2009|date=21 March 2006|work=[[Rediff.com]]|archive-date=25 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325051242/http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/21adoor.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2004 - [[Dadasaheb Phalke Award]]&nbsp;— Lifetime Achievement Award in Film awarded by the [[Government of India]]<ref name="falkeaward" />
* 1996 - [[Honorary Doctorate]] ([[Doctor of Letters|D.Litt]]) from [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala|Mahatma Gandhi University]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3408 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141005131914/http://www.kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3408 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 October 2014 |title=Mahatma Gandhi University |date=5 October 2014 |website=[[Government of Kerala]] |access-date=22 March 2019}}</ref>
* 1984 - Padma Shri&nbsp;— Fourth highest civilian award from Government of India.
* 1984 - [[Legion of Honour]]&nbsp;— French order, the highest decoration in France<ref>{{cite web|title=Celebrating Cinema: 5 Reasons You Should Know About this Pioneer of New Wave – The Penguin Digest|url=https://penguin.co.in/thepenguindigest/celebrating-cinema-5-reasons-you-should-know-about-this-pioneer-of-new-wave/|website=penguin.co.in|date=27 June 2017|access-date=25 April 2018|archive-date=26 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426011916/https://penguin.co.in/thepenguindigest/celebrating-cinema-5-reasons-you-should-know-about-this-pioneer-of-new-wave/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[National Film Awards]]&nbsp;— Various categories for ''Swayamvaram'', ''Kodiyettam'', ''Elippathayam'', ''Mukhamukham'', ''Anantaram'', ''Mathilukal'', ''Vidheyan'', ''Kathapurushan'', ''[[Nizhalkkuthu]]'' and ''[[Naalu Pennungal]]''
* [[Kerala State Film Awards]]:&nbsp;— Various categories for ''Kodiyettam'', ''Elippathayam'', ''Mukhamukham'', ''Anantaram'', ''Vidheyan'' and ''[[Oru Pennum Randaanum]]''
*International Film Critics Prize ([[FIPRESCI]])&nbsp;— won consecutively for six feature films (Mukhamukham, Anantaram, Mathilukal, Vidheyan, Kathapurushan and Nizhalkkuthu)<ref name="officialsite">{{cite web|url=http://www.adoorgopalakrishnan.com/profile.htm|title=Official Website of Adoor Gopalakrishnan|access-date=28 May 2009|archive-date=3 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903082245/http://www.adoorgopalakrishnan.com/profile.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[London Film Festival]]&nbsp;— [[Sutherland Trophy]]&nbsp;— in 1982 for ''Elippathayam''
*[[British Film Institute]] Award&nbsp;— Most Original Imaginative Film of 1982&nbsp;— ''Elippathayam''<ref>{{cite web|title=Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Adoor Gopalakrishnan completes 50 years in cinema|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/malayalam-filmmaker-adoor-gopalakrishnan-completes-50-years-in-cinema-335690-2016-08-17|website=India Today|date=17 August 2016 |access-date=25 April 2018|language=en|archive-date=26 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426012219/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/malayalam-filmmaker-adoor-gopalakrishnan-completes-50-years-in-cinema-335690-2016-08-17|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres|Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres]] by [[French Government]] (2003)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-245928,prtpage-1.cms|title=Adoor receives French honour|access-date=14 July 2008|date=22 October 2003|work=[[The Times of India]]|archive-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021033923/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-245928,prtpage-1.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Lifetime achievement award at [[Cairo International Film Festival]].

'''[[National Film Awards|National Film Awards (Detailed):]]'''

* 1973 - [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film|Best Film]] - ''Swayamvaram''
* 1973 - [[National Film Award for Best Direction|Best Director]] - ''Swayamvaram''
* 1978 - [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam|Best Feature Film in Malayalam]] - ''Kodiyettam''
* 1980 - [[National Film Award – Special Mention (Non-Feature Film)|National Film Award – Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Non-Feature Film)]] - ''The Chola Heritage''
* 1982 - [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam|Best Feature Film in Malayalam]] - ''Elippathayam''
* 1984 - [[National Film Award for Best Book on Cinema|Best Book on Cinema]] - ''Cinemayude Lokam''
* 1985 - Best Director - ''Mukhamukham''
* 1985 - [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam|Best Feature Film in Malayalam]] - ''Mukhamukham''
* 1985 - [[National Film Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] - ''Mukhamukham''
* 1988 - Best Director - ''[[Anantaram|Anantharam]]''
* 1988 - [[National Film Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] - ''Anantharam''
* 1990 - Best Director - ''Mathilukal''
* 1990 - [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam|Best Feature Film in Malayalam]] - ''Mathilukal''
* 1994 - [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam|Best Feature Film in Malayalam]] - ''Vidheyan''
* 1995 - Best Film - ''Kathapurushan''
* 2003 - [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam|Best Feature Film in Malayalam]] - ''[[Nizhalkkuthu]]''
* 2008 - Best Director - ''[[Naalu Pennungal]]''

'''[[Kerala State Film Awards|Kerala State Film Awards (Detailed):]]'''

''[[Best Film]]''

* 1977 - Best Film - ''[[Kodiyettam]]''
* 1981 - [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Film|Best Film]] - ''[[Elippathayam]]''
* 1984 - Best Film - ''[[Mukhamukham]]''
* 1993 - Best Film - ''[[Vidheyan]]''
* 2008 - Best Film - ''[[Oru Pennum Randaanum]]''

''[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]]''

* 1977 - Best Director - ''[[Kodiyettam]]''
* 1984 - Best Director - ''[[Mukhamukham]]''
* 1987 - Best Director - ''Anantharam''
* 1993 - Best Director - ''[[Vidheyan]]''
* 2008 - Best Director - ''[[Oru Pennum Randaanum]]''

''[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Story|Best Story]]''

* 1977 - [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Story|Best Story]] - ''[[Kodiyettam]]''

''[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Screen Play|Best Screen Play]]''

* 1993 - [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Screen Play|Best Screen Play]] - ''[[Vidheyan]]''
* 2008 - [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Screen Play|Best Screen Play]] - ''[[Oru Pennum Randaanum]]''

''[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Documentary|Best Documentary Film]]''

* 1982 - Best Documentary Film - [[Krishnanattam]]
* 1999 - Best Documentary Film - [[Kalamandalam Gopi]]

''[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Short Film|Best Short Film]]''

* 2005 - [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Short Film|Best Short Film]] - [[Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair]]

''[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Book on Cinema|Best Book on Cinema]]''

* 2004 - [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Book on Cinema|Best Book on Cinema]] - Cinemanubhavam

'''[[Kerala Film Critics Association Awards|Kerala Film Critics Association Awards (Detailed):]]'''<ref name="Critics Awards List">[https://www.keralafilmcritics.com/2020/10/film-critics-awards-complete-list-from.html "കേരള ഫിലിം ക്രിട്ടിക്‌സ് അവാര്‍ഡ് 1977 - 2012"]. Kerala Film Critics Association. Retrieved 29 January 2023.</ref>
* 1984 - [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]] - ''Mukhamukham''
* 1987 - [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|Best Director]] - ''Anantaram''
* 1989 - [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]] - ''Mathilukal''
* 1989 - [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|Best Director]] - ''Mathilukal''
* 1993 - [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]] - ''Vidheyan''
* 1993 - [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|Best Director]] - ''Vidheyan''
* 1995 - [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]] - ''Kathapurushan''
* 1995 - [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|Best Director]] - ''Kathapurushan''
* 2016 - [[Ruby Jubilee Award]]

A retrospective of his films was conducted in

*[[Kolkata]], by Seagull Foundation for the Arts and Nandan, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sify.com/PRIVOXY-FORCE/movies/fullstory.php?id=14867560 |title=Adoor Gopalakrishnan's Retrospective in Kolkata |access-date=29 May 2009 |date=9 March 2009 |website=[[Sify]] }}{{dead link|date=September 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
* The Slovenian International Film Festival, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.thehindu.com/films/?p=4845|title=Adoor retrospective at Slovenian festival|access-date=29 May 2009|date=15 November 2008|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701181606/http://blogs.thehindu.com/films/?p=4845|archive-date=1 July 2012}}</ref>
* The [[Munich Film Museum]], 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.thehindu.com/films/?p=4845|title=Adoor retrospective|access-date=29 May 2009|date=5 September 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701181606/http://blogs.thehindu.com/films/?p=4845|archive-date=1 July 2012}}</ref>
* The French Cinematheque, Paris, 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/adoor_interview_df.html|title=Interview: Adoor|access-date=29 May 2009|publisher=Cinema of Malayalam|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819081200/http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/adoor_interview_df.html|archive-date=19 August 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- "
! Year !! Title !! Duration !! Category !! Awards
|-
| 1965 || ''A Great Day'' || 20 mins || Short fiction ||
|-
| 1966 || ''A Day at Kovalam'' || 30 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1967 || ''The Myth'' || 50 Seconds || Short fiction || Merit Certificate, [[Expo 67|Expo 67, Montreal]]
|-
| 1968 || ''Danger at Your Door-step'' || 20 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1968 || ''And Man created'' || 8 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1968 || ''Manntharikal (Grains of Sand)'' || 20 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1969 || ''Towards National STD'' || 20 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1969 || ''A Mission of Love'' || 30 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1966 || ''Your Food'' || 60 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1970 || ''Pratisandhi (The Impasse)'' || 55 mins || Docu-drama ||
|-
| 1971 || ''Romance of Rubber'' || 30 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Swayamvaram (1972 film)|Swayamvaram (One's Own Choice)]]'' || 125 mins || Feature film || [[National Film Awards|National Awards]] for [[National Award for Best Film|Best Film]], [[National Film Award for Best Direction|Best Director]], [[National Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] and [[National Film Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematographer]]. Entered into the [[8th Moscow International Film Festival]].<ref name="Moscow1973">{{cite web|url=http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1973 |title=8th Moscow International Film Festival (1973) |access-date=3 January 2013 |work=MIFF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116194922/http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1973 |archive-date=16 January 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| 1973 || ''Kilimanooril Oru Dasalakshadhipati (A Millionaire is Born)'' || 20 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1974 || ''Guru Chengannur'' || 17 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1975 || ''Past in Perspective'' || 20 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1976 || ''Idukki'' || 60 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1977 || ''[[Kodiyettam|Kodiyettam (Ascent)]]'' || 128 mins || Feature film || [[National Film Awards|National Awards]] for [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam|Best Feature Film in Malayalam]] and [[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|-
| 1978 ||''Four Shorts on Family Planning'' || 16 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1979 || ''Yakshagana'' || 20 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1980 || ''Chola Heritage'' || 20 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1981 || ''[[Elippathayam]]'' (''The Rat Trap'') || 121 mins || Feature film || [[Sutherland Trophy]] at 1982 [[London Film Festival]] <br> [[National Film Awards|National Awards]] for [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam|Best Feature Film in Malayalam]] and [[National Film Award for Best Audiography|Best Audiography]]
|-
| 1982 || ''Krishnanattam'' || 20 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 1984 || ''[[Mukhamukham|Mukhamukham (Face to Face)]]'' || 107 mins || Feature film ||FIPRESCI Prize, New Delhi, [[National Film Awards|National Awards]] for [[National Film Award for Best Direction|Best Director]], [[National Film Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] and [[National Film Award for Best Audiography|Best Audiography]]
|-
| 1985 || ''Eau/Ganga (Ganges-Water)'' || 140 mins || Documentary || Grand Prize, Cinema du reel, Paris
|-
| 1987 || ''[[Anantaram]] (Monologue)''|| 125 mins || Feature film || FIPRESCI Prize, Karlovy Vary. National awards for best director, best screenplay, and best audiography
|-
| 1990 || ''[[Mathilukal (film)|Mathilukal (The Walls)]]'' || 117 mins || Feature film || FIPRESCI prize, Venice, UNICEF Film Prize, Venice, OCIC Prize, Amiens. National Award for best director, best actor, best regional film and best audiography
|-
| 1993 || ''[[Vidheyan|Vidheyan (The Servile)]]'' || 112 mins || Feature film || Feature FIPRESCI and Special Jury Prize, Singapore. Interfilm Jury Prize, Mannheim. Netpac prize, Rotterdam. National Award for best actor and best regional film
|-
| 1995 || ''[[Kathapurushan|Kathapurushan (The Man of the Story)]]'' || 107 mins || Feature film ||FIPRESCI Prize, National award for the best film
|-
| 1995 || ''Kalamandalam Gopi'' || 43 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 2001 || ''Koodiyattam'' || 180 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 2002 || ''[[Nizhalkuthu]]'' || 90 mins || Feature film ||FIPRESCI, Mumbai. National award for best regional film
|-
| 2005 || ''Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair'' || 73 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 2007 || ''Dance of the Enchantress'' || 72 mins || Documentary ||
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Naalu Pennungal|Naalu Pennungal (Four Women)]]'' || 105 mins || Feature film || National Award for best director
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Oru Pennum Randaanum]] (A Climate for Crime)'' || 115 mins || Feature film ||Kerala State award for best director 2009
|-
| 2016 || ''[[Pinneyum|Pinneyum (Once Again)]]'' || || Feature film ||
|-
| 2019 || ''Sukhantyam (A Happy End)'' || || Short fiction ||
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |title=Adoor Gopalakrishnan: A Life in Cinema |author=Gautaman Bhaskaran |publisher=Penguin Books India |year=2010 |location=[[New Delhi]]}}
* {{Cite book |title=A Door to Adoor |author=Lalit Mohan Joshi, [[C. S. Venkiteswaran]] |publisher=South Asian Cinema Foundation |year=2006 |location=[[London]]}}
* {{Cite book |title=Adoorinte Lokam |language=ml |editor=M. F. Thomas |publisher=Mulberry |year=1986 |location=[[Kozhikode|Calicut, India]]}}
* {{Cite book |title=Adoorinte Chalachithrayathrakal |language=ml |editor=M. F. Thomas |publisher=Sign Books |year=2005 |location=[[Thiruvananthapuram|Trivandrum, India]]}}
* {{Cite book |title=Varoo, Adoorilekku Pokam (Interview with Adoor Gopalakrishnan) |language=ml |author=Akbar Kakkattil |author-link=Akbar Kakkattil |publisher=[[DC Books]] |year=2006 |location=[[Kottayam|Kottayam, India]]}}
* {{Cite book |title=Adoorinte Sarga Yathra |language=ml |author=B. Sreeraj |location=India}}
* {{Cite book |title=Kazhchayile Kana Thalangal |language=ml |author=R. Pavithran |location=India}}
* {{Cite interview |last=Gopalakrishnan |first=Adoor |interviewer=Patrick McGilligan |title="The Story Is Just an Excuse" |url=https://www.cineaste.com/fall2011/the-story-is-just-an-excuse-an-interview-with-adoor-gopalakrishnan-web-exclusive |date=2011}}
* {{Cite book |last=Attipetty |first=Peter Lal |title=Bodhadarayil Adoor |publisher=Logos Books |year=2023 |isbn=978-9390118823 |location=India |language=ml |trans-title=Adoor - Reminiscences}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Adoor Gopalakrishnan}}
* [http://www.adoorgopalakrishnan.com/profile.htm Official website of Adoor]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232254/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawares.htm Official Website of Information and Public Relation Department of Kerala]
* {{IMDb name|id=0329715|name=Adoor Gopalakrishnan}}
* [http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/may/06intro.htm Adoor's oeuvre on Rediff]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070111182806/http://indulekha.com/moviegallery/2006/03/adoor-gopalakrishnan.html Collection of photos of Adoor]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071210155029/http://weblokam.com/cinema/profiles/adoor.htm Profile of Adoor on Weblokam]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100214113448/http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/adoor.html Profile at 'Cinema of Malayalam' ]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110827210736/http://staging.livemint.com/articles/2007/09/08000758/The-road-to-modern-times.html 'The Road to Modern Times', Naalu Pennungal and the cinema of Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Mint Lounge 8 September 2007, by Arjun Razdan]
* {{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBFPi2dowI0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/tBFPi2dowI0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Adoorinte Sargaprapancham ''[Documentary] (in six parts)'' |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}


{{Adoor Gopalakrishnan}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards for Adoor Gopalakrishnan
| list =
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}
{{Dadasaheb Phalke Award}}
{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}
{{NationalFilmAwardBestDirection}}
{{NationalFilmAwardBestScreenplay}}
{{J. C. Daniel Award}}
{{Kerala State Film Award for Best Director}}
{{Padma Award winners of Kerala}}
}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Gopalakrishnan, Adoor}}
{{India-film-bio-stub}}
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Best Director National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Directors who won the Best Feature Film National Film Award]]
[[Category:Best Original Screenplay National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Producers who won the Best Feature Film National Film Award]]
[[Category:J. C. Daniel Award winners]]
[[Category:Kerala State Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in arts]]
[[Category:Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients]]
[[Category:Film and Television Institute of India alumni]]
[[Category:Malayalam screenwriters]]
[[Category:Film producers from Kerala]]
[[Category:Film directors from Pathanamthitta district]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Indian documentary filmmakers]]
[[Category:People from Pathanamthitta district]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Kerala]]
[[Category:Malayalam film producers]]
[[Category:Malayalam film cinematographers]]
[[Category:Cinematographers from Kerala]]
[[Category:Indian experimental filmmakers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian photographers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian photographers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Malayali people]]

Latest revision as of 15:34, 27 December 2024

In this Indian name, the toponymic surname is Adoor. It is not a family name, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Gopalakrishnan.

Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Born
Mouttathu Gopalakrishnan Unnithan

(1941-07-03) 3 July 1941 (age 83)
Mannadi, Adoor, Pathanamthitta district, Travancore, British India
(present day Adoor, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India)
Other namesAdoor
Alma materFilm and Television Institute of India[1]
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • film producer
Years active1965–present
Spouse
Sunanda
​
(died 2015)​
Children1
Awards
Websiteadoorgopalakrishnan.com

Adoor Gopalakrishnan (born 3 July 1941) is an Indian film director, script writer, and producer and is regarded as one of the most notable and renowned filmmakers in India. With the release of his first feature film Swayamvaram (1972), Gopalakrishnan pioneered the new wave in Malayalam cinema during the 1970s.[2] In a career spanning over five decades, Gopalakrishnan has made only 12 feature films to date. His films are made in the Malayalam language and often depict the society and culture of his native state Kerala. Nearly all of his films premiered at Venice, Cannes and Toronto International Film Festival. Along with Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen, Gopalakrishnan is one of the most recognized Indian film directors in world cinema.[3][4]

For his films, Gopalakrishnan has won the National Film Award 16 times, next only to Ray and Sen. He also won the Kerala State Film Awards 17 times. He was awarded the State honours Padma Shri in 1984 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2006. He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2004 for his valuable contributions to Indian cinema.[5] In 2016, he was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have established an archive and research center, the Adoor Gopalakrishnan Film Archive and Research Center, at their Peck School of Arts where research students will have access to 35 mm prints of the eleven feature films and several documentaries made by Gopalakrishnan.[6]

Biography

[edit]

Gopalakrishnan was born on 3 July 1941 in the village of Pallickal (Medayil Bungalow) near Adoor, present-day Kerala.[citation needed]

After securing a degree in Economics, Political Science and Public Administration in 1961 from the Gandhigram Rural Institute,[7] he worked as a Government officer near Dindigul in Tamil Nadu. In 1962, he left his job to study screenwriting and direction at the Film and Television Institute of India Pune. He completed his course from there with a scholarship from the Government of India. With his classmates and friends, Gopalakrishnan established Chithralekha Film Society and Chalachithra Sahakarana Sangham; the organization was the first film society in Kerala and it aimed at production, distribution and exhibition of films in the co-operative sector.

Malayalam cinema director Adoor Gopalakrishnan while attending Sharjah Book Fair 2013 programme

Gopalakrishnan's debut film, the national award-winning Swayamvaram (1972) was a milestone in Malayalam film history. The film was exhibited widely in various international film festivals including those held in Moscow, Melbourne, London and Paris. The films that followed namely Kodiyettam, Elippathayam, Mukhamukham, Anantaram, Mathilukal, Vidheyan and Kathapurushan lived up to the reputation of his first film and were well received by critics at various film festivals and fetched him many awards. However, Mukhamukham was criticized in Kerala while Vidheyan was at the centre of a debate due to the differences in opinion between the writer of story of the film Sakhariya and Gopalakrishnan.

Gopalakrishnan's later films are Nizhalkuthu, narrating the experiences of an executioner who learns that one of his subjects was innocent, and Naalu Pennungal, a film adaptation of four short stories by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai.

All his films have won national and international awards (National award for best film twice, best director five times, and best script two times. His films have also won his actors and technicians several national awards). Gopalakrishnan's third feature, Elippathayam won him the coveted British Film Institute Award for 'the most original and imaginative film' of 1982. The International Film Critics Prize (FIPRESCI) has gone to him six times successively for Mukhamukham, Anantharam, Mathilukal, Vidheyan, Kathapurushan and Nizhalkkuthu. Winner of several international awards like the UNICEF film prize (Venice), OCIC film prize (Amiens), INTERFILM Prize (Mannheim) etc., his films have been shown in Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Toronto, London, Rotterdam and every important festival around the world.

In consideration of his contribution to Indian cinema, the nation honoured him with the title of Padma Shri (India's fourth highest civilian award) in 1984 and Padma Vibhushan (India's second highest civilian award) in 2006.

Gopalakrishnan is settled in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. His daughter Aswathi Dorje is an IPS officer (part of the Assam cadre, 2000 batch), currently acting as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Mumbai since June 2010.[8][9]

In December 2023, alongside 50 other filmmakers, Gopalakrishnan signed an open letter published in Libération demanding a ceasefire and an end to the killing of civilians amid the 2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, and for a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to be established for humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages.[10][11][12]

His biography Face to Face: The Cinema of Adoor Gopalakrishnan (2016) has been written by film scholar Parthajit Baruah of Assam.[13][14]

Documentaries and 'New Cinema' movement

[edit]
Gopalakrishnan standing next to his portrait

Apart from nine feature films, he has over 30 short films and documentaries to his credit. The Helsinki Film Festival was the first film festival to have a retrospective of his films. He has headed the jury at the National Film Awards and many international film festivals.

Apart from his films, Gopalakrishnan's major contribution towards introducing a new cinema culture in Kerala was the constitution of the first Film Society in Kerala, "Chitralekha Film Society". He also took active part in the constitution of "Chitralekha", Kerala's first Film Co-operative Society for film production. These movements triggered a fresh wave of films, called "art films", by directors like G Aravindan, PA Becker, KG George, Pavithran, and Raveendran. At a time this movement was so strong that even popular cinema synthesised with art cinema to create a new genre of films. Bharat Gopi starred as hero 4 times in his ventures.

Style and trademarks

[edit]

According to Gopalakrishnan "[i]n movies, the actor is not performing to the audience like the stage actor. Here they are acting for me. I am the audience and I will decide whether it is correct or not, enough or not."[15]

Controversies

[edit]

In 2014, Gopalakrishnan, then heading the advisory committee of The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), irked controversy for introducing measures such as delegate passes being given only to those who can speak English since foreign films come with English subtitles, these changes were criticized for promoting old-world elitism and restricting the festival's appeal.[16]

In 2023, he faced criticism for defending the K. R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts director, Shankar Mohan, accused of violating reservation norms and discriminating based on caste and class. Gopalakrishan's statements, dismissing allegations and emphasizing Shankar Mohan's credentials, have drawn ire.[17]

The students accused Gopalakrishnan, the chairman of the film institute, of shielding the institute director and not addressing their concerns.[18]

Awards and milestones

[edit]
File:The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting the Padma Vibhushan Award – 2006 to Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan in New Delhi on March 20, 2006

Some of the awards and appreciation Gopalakrishnan has won for his films include:

National Film Awards (Detailed):

Kerala State Film Awards (Detailed):

Best Film

Best Director

Best Story

Best Screen Play

Best Documentary Film

Best Short Film

Best Book on Cinema

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards (Detailed):[26]

A retrospective of his films was conducted in

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Duration Category Awards
1965 A Great Day 20 mins Short fiction
1966 A Day at Kovalam 30 mins Documentary
1967 The Myth 50 Seconds Short fiction Merit Certificate, Expo 67, Montreal
1968 Danger at Your Door-step 20 mins Documentary
1968 And Man created 8 mins Documentary
1968 Manntharikal (Grains of Sand) 20 mins Documentary
1969 Towards National STD 20 mins Documentary
1969 A Mission of Love 30 mins Documentary
1966 Your Food 60 mins Documentary
1970 Pratisandhi (The Impasse) 55 mins Docu-drama
1971 Romance of Rubber 30 mins Documentary
1972 Swayamvaram (One's Own Choice) 125 mins Feature film National Awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Cinematographer. Entered into the 8th Moscow International Film Festival.[31]
1973 Kilimanooril Oru Dasalakshadhipati (A Millionaire is Born) 20 mins Documentary
1974 Guru Chengannur 17 mins Documentary
1975 Past in Perspective 20 mins Documentary
1976 Idukki 60 mins Documentary
1977 Kodiyettam (Ascent) 128 mins Feature film National Awards for Best Feature Film in Malayalam and Best Actor
1978 Four Shorts on Family Planning 16 mins Documentary
1979 Yakshagana 20 mins Documentary
1980 Chola Heritage 20 mins Documentary
1981 Elippathayam (The Rat Trap) 121 mins Feature film Sutherland Trophy at 1982 London Film Festival
National Awards for Best Feature Film in Malayalam and Best Audiography
1982 Krishnanattam 20 mins Documentary
1984 Mukhamukham (Face to Face) 107 mins Feature film FIPRESCI Prize, New Delhi, National Awards for Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Audiography
1985 Eau/Ganga (Ganges-Water) 140 mins Documentary Grand Prize, Cinema du reel, Paris
1987 Anantaram (Monologue) 125 mins Feature film FIPRESCI Prize, Karlovy Vary. National awards for best director, best screenplay, and best audiography
1990 Mathilukal (The Walls) 117 mins Feature film FIPRESCI prize, Venice, UNICEF Film Prize, Venice, OCIC Prize, Amiens. National Award for best director, best actor, best regional film and best audiography
1993 Vidheyan (The Servile) 112 mins Feature film Feature FIPRESCI and Special Jury Prize, Singapore. Interfilm Jury Prize, Mannheim. Netpac prize, Rotterdam. National Award for best actor and best regional film
1995 Kathapurushan (The Man of the Story) 107 mins Feature film FIPRESCI Prize, National award for the best film
1995 Kalamandalam Gopi 43 mins Documentary
2001 Koodiyattam 180 mins Documentary
2002 Nizhalkuthu 90 mins Feature film FIPRESCI, Mumbai. National award for best regional film
2005 Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair 73 mins Documentary
2007 Dance of the Enchantress 72 mins Documentary
2007 Naalu Pennungal (Four Women) 105 mins Feature film National Award for best director
2008 Oru Pennum Randaanum (A Climate for Crime) 115 mins Feature film Kerala State award for best director 2009
2016 Pinneyum (Once Again) Feature film
2019 Sukhantyam (A Happy End) Short fiction

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) keen to go global, train foreign actors & technicians - Times of India". The Times of India. 25 February 2018. Archived from the original on 25 February 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Golden rigmaroles: Adoor Gopalakrishnan on the Malayalam screen". Deccan Chronicle. 31 July 2016. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Adoor Gopalakrishnan". IMDb. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Adoor Gopalakrishnan | Biography, Movies, & Facts". Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Adoor selected for Phalke award". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 6 September 2005. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  6. ^ Attipetty, Peter (6 May 2013). "Milwaukee chose me: Adoor Gopalakrishnan". The American Bazaar. Archived from the original on 11 October 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  7. ^ "Page on Adoor Gopalakrishnan at Kerala tourism". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  8. ^ A correspondent Date: 2 June 2010 Place: Mumbai (2 June 2010). "Husband-wife set to take charge as Mumbai's DCPs". Mid-day.com. Archived from the original on 25 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "Crimebusters". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. 23 January 2005. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  10. ^ "Gaza : des cinéastes du monde entier demandent un cessez-le-feu immédiat". Libération (in French). 28 December 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  11. ^ Newman, Nick (29 December 2023). "Claire Denis, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Christian Petzold, Apichatpong Weerasethakul & More Sign Demand for Ceasefire in Gaza". The Film Stage. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Directors of cinema sign petition for immediate ceasefire". The Jerusalem Post. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Face-to-Face". www.analpabooks.com. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  14. ^ Baruah, Parthajit (2016). Face to Face: The Cinema of Adoor Gopalakrishnan. HarperCollins India. ISBN 9789351361954.
  15. ^ "'Naalu Pennungal' not complex like my other films: Adoor". Yahoo India Movies. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  16. ^ Ramnath, Nandini (13 November 2014). "Adoor Gopalakrishnan stirs controversy by restricting entry at state-run film fest to viewers who know English". Scroll.in. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  17. ^ Shaji, Sukanya (17 January 2023). "Dear Adoor, caste did not end because you discarded your surname at age 20". The News Minute. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Film institute row: Jeo Baby withdraws 'Freedom Fight' from Kannur festival". OnManorama. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Happy Independence Day: 70 Years, 70 Great Films". NDTV.com. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  20. ^ "Adoor honoured with Padma award". Rediff.com. 21 March 2006. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  21. ^ "Mahatma Gandhi University". Government of Kerala. 5 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 October 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  22. ^ "Celebrating Cinema: 5 Reasons You Should Know About this Pioneer of New Wave – The Penguin Digest". penguin.co.in. 27 June 2017. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  23. ^ "Official Website of Adoor Gopalakrishnan". Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  24. ^ "Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Adoor Gopalakrishnan completes 50 years in cinema". India Today. 17 August 2016. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  25. ^ "Adoor receives French honour". The Times of India. 22 October 2003. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
  26. ^ "കേരള ഫിലിം ക്രിട്ടിക്‌സ് അവാര്‍ഡ് 1977 - 2012". Kerala Film Critics Association. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  27. ^ "Adoor Gopalakrishnan's Retrospective in Kolkata". Sify. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.[dead link‍]
  28. ^ "Adoor retrospective at Slovenian festival". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 15 November 2008. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  29. ^ "Adoor retrospective". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 5 September 2009. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  30. ^ "Interview: Adoor". Cinema of Malayalam. Archived from the original on 19 August 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  31. ^ "8th Moscow International Film Festival (1973)". MIFF. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Gautaman Bhaskaran (2010). Adoor Gopalakrishnan: A Life in Cinema. New Delhi: Penguin Books India.
  • Lalit Mohan Joshi, C. S. Venkiteswaran (2006). A Door to Adoor. London: South Asian Cinema Foundation.
  • M. F. Thomas, ed. (1986). Adoorinte Lokam (in Malayalam). Calicut, India: Mulberry.
  • M. F. Thomas, ed. (2005). Adoorinte Chalachithrayathrakal (in Malayalam). Trivandrum, India: Sign Books.
  • Akbar Kakkattil (2006). Varoo, Adoorilekku Pokam (Interview with Adoor Gopalakrishnan) (in Malayalam). Kottayam, India: DC Books.
  • B. Sreeraj. Adoorinte Sarga Yathra (in Malayalam). India.
  • R. Pavithran. Kazhchayile Kana Thalangal (in Malayalam). India.
  • Gopalakrishnan, Adoor (2011). ""The Story Is Just an Excuse"" (Interview). Interviewed by Patrick McGilligan.
  • Attipetty, Peter Lal (2023). Bodhadarayil Adoor [Adoor - Reminiscences] (in Malayalam). India: Logos Books. ISBN 978-9390118823.
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