An auteur demonstrates why cinema should look beyond speed and slickness February 21, 2021, 7:53 AM IST Don Palathara hails from Karunapuram in Idukki, barely three kilometres from Kambammettu in Tamil Nadu. The 34-year-old director has four films to his credit – Savam, Vithu,1956, Central Travancore, and Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam, two of which are being screened at the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala. Considered as an auteur director by critics, Don is heralded as an exponent of contemplative cinema. Among other things he talks about his fascination for minimalism and why slowburn films matter: Your first three films – Savam, Vithu and 1956, Central Travancore- were all shot in black & white. The latest one Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam, though in colour, uses a limited palette. Have you changed as a filmmaker since your first film in 2015?