[Frameworks] Film and Airport Security in India

[lana z]

I haven't traveled in India, but I have been in many European airports in the last 5 years.  I have not been able to have handcheck of film in any country except Italy.  Not an option in London, Madrid, Dublin, or Paris.  I have done all connecting flights possible through the US or Italy for this reason.  I am starting to think that I will be shipping film to my destination and shipping home, or shipping to a US lab.  In the early days after 9/11 I used the lead bags, but who wants to travel with lead bags on their back (and I am not sure of their effectiveness) 

If you are departing from the US, I would suggest getting a handcheck on your way out of the US and shipping with someone like UPS or fedex to your lab (maybe in 2 shipments in case something gets lost).

Good luck, 
Lana


Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2010 19:58:24 -0700
From: dominicangerame at sbcglobal.net
To: frameworks at jonasmekasfilms.com
Subject: Re: [Frameworks] Film and Airport Security in India



I had awful experiences in traveling with16mm color negative film through Mexico, South America, and Cuba.  In Mexico the film was sent through the Xray machine several times both ways. All attempts by me to hand carry it thru were futile and my attempts to convince the customs agents of such were fruitless. The same was true in Havana. Everything had to be xrayed, no exceptions.  Needless to say the film stock with an asa of 250 was indeed fogged, I am using it as an artistic effect, however, it is not what I wanted. So heads up in traveling abroad.

Dominic

From: Marco Poloni <mar.poloni at gmail.com>
To: Experimental Film Discussion List <frameworks at jonasmekasfilms.com>
Sent: Sun, July 4, 2010 1:43:44 PM
Subject: Re: [Frameworks] Film and Airport Security in India


There's a trick I have used with quite some success in airports. It's a bit pushy but in a way I beileve it is decent tactics, knowing that the X-ray gate operators have zero experience of the real effects of x-ray radiation on film, even with “1600 ISO guaranteed" machines, for which no one has been able yet to tell me whether this is a claim that holds true. 


Download some “Kodak Professional Film“ labels and add “3200 ISO”. Print them on Avery Stickers and glue them to the film cartridges. At the gate, explain that this is film that will be pushed well beyond the 1600 ISO safety line.


The issue then is that, contrarily to 35mm photo rolls, Super-8 cartridges are big enough to hide a cutting device inside. Against that, there is no argument. That's when having a gentle, collaborating attitude might help.


Hope this helps.
MP

On 4 July 2010 21:47, Shobun Baile <shobun at gmail.com> wrote:


I'm planning on taking a small amount, maybe 10 rolls, of color negative super 8 stock with me to India. I have read the threads on X-ray machines in airport security but I did not encounter anyone with specific experience in India.



Just based on my past experiences in the Delhi and Mumbai airports, the people working security can be extremely pushy and unwilling to listen to your concerns. Does anyone know if I would be able to request hand inspection for my film in India? Or does is there any official documentation of India-specific laws I can print out and refer to? Any experiences in India with motion picture film and airport security would be very helpful.



Shobun 

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