Controversy over Teresa film fest

The Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata has expressed serious reservations against two films being screened at the proposed international film festival on Mother Teresa during her beatification ceremony to be held in the city in November.

One of these films is by Dominique Lapierre, the French author whose film is titled: In the name of the God's Poor.

Sisters of the MoC have reportedly conveyed to the Archbishop of Kolkata, Father Lucas Sirkar that the Mother was reluctant to grant permission to Lapierre for making the film. Thrice the Mother had granted permission to shoot the film but thrice she had withdrawn it. The film was finally released after Mother's death and she did not have the chance to see it.

The other film that the MoC wants to be kept out of the festival is: Hell's Angel: Mother Teresa of Calcutta. It was a British ITV, Channel 4 documentary based on the book written by Christopher Hitchen's – The Missionary Position: Theory and Practice. Hitchen's had raised in the book the practice by Mother Teresa of "allowing the destitute to die with dignity" instead of trying to get them cured.

But the Beatification Celebration Committee under the Archbishop of Kolkata wants the film festival to be "open and free."

Father C.M. Paul, a spokesman for the committee, said yesterday: "An international film festival on Mother Teresa should have all aspects of her life and work reflected instead of one being choosy about it. If it generates any debate it is well and good."

The difference in opinion between the Missionaries of Charity and the Beatification Celebration Committee under the Archbishop of Kolkata is too evident to be ignored. But the MoC as usual refused to be dragged into any controversy. When contacted, Sisters of the MoC yesterday refused to comment. Some of the Fathers of the Society of Jesus that runs a number of renowned educational institutions in Kolkata however felt that there should be no controversy over the Mother's beatification programme.

"If the film festival can encompass all views it is well and good, but if the Missionaries of Charity Sisters have some reservations against certain productions those should be kept out of the festival. After all it is a celebration and the spirit of joy should not be spoilt by anything," said a father.

Meanwhile, some film directors have already confirmed their participation in the ceremony. A Japanese director Shigeki Chiba for instance is one who has already sent the original print of his film on the Mother and confirmed that he would be in the city to celebrate the occasion in November. There are Canadian, Italian, American and English directors who have produced films on the Mother and attempts are on to have them at the ceremony, said Father C.M.Paul.