Bangalore: World-renowned Polish film maker Krzysztof Zanussi, who was to be the Guest of Honour at the ongoing seventh edition of Bengaluru International Festival (BIFFes), could not enter the city on Tuesday morning as there were “issues concerning Visa” at the Bengaluru International Airport (BIAL), according to the festival authorities.
It is learnt that immigration authorities stopped Mr. Zanussi, who landed in BIAL at 2.30 a.m. in the morning, since he did not have a multiple-entry visa. He had recently participated in the Goa International Film Festival.
Attempts made by festival authorities in Bengaluru, government officials from both the State and Centre could not sort out the problem. He had arrived on a Lufthansa flight from Hamburg.
It is learnt, disturbed by the development, 76-year old Mr. Zanussi returned to Hamburg. In a communication, Director, Polish Institute, New Delhi, confirmed that Mr. Zanussi “has some issues with Visa and might not be able to arrive to the festival.”
Eight of the master’s films are being screened in the Retrospective Category of BIFFEs. Mr. Zanussi is known for creating philosophical dramas focussed on the ethical choices and metaphysical questions involved in daily life.
He was supposed to present a 45-minute documentary about Warsaw Chamber Opera founded by Stefan Sutowski in 1961 and have conversation with Chiranjeevi Singh at Alliance Francaise at 10 a.m.
