The makers on Tuesday announced an untitled raw sports drama starring superstar Chiyaan Vikram’s son Dhruv Vikram and Anupama Parameswaran in the lead, which will be directed by Mari Selvaraj.
Selvaraj’s untitled project marks the beginning of a multi-film alliance between Applause Entertainment and Neelam Studios, which is led by Pa Ranjith and producer Aditi Anand.
The inaugural project from this alliance is the highly anticipated sports drama, directed by the acclaimed director Mari Selvaraj, the creative force behind the recent blockbusters Maamannan and Karnan.
The project, which is scheduled to commence production in early 2024, is a tale of guts, grit and glory in the life of a young man where the whole world was a Goliath to his David.
A story of a man who defied the lines on his hand to achieve what no one thought possible, to choose sport over a gun, peace over violence and life over death.
Selvaraj’s untitled project marks the beginning of a multi-film alliance between Applause Entertainment and Neelam Studios, which is led by Pa Ranjith and producer Aditi Anand.
The inaugural project from this alliance is the highly anticipated sports drama, directed by the acclaimed director Mari Selvaraj, the creative force behind the recent blockbusters Maamannan and Karnan.
The project, which is scheduled to commence production in early 2024, is a tale of guts, grit and glory in the life of a young man where the whole world was a Goliath to his David.
A story of a man who defied the lines on his hand to achieve what no one thought possible, to choose sport over a gun, peace over violence and life over death.
- 3/12/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
KollywoodThe film stars Kalidas Jayaram, Dushara Vijayan, Kalaiarasan, Hari Krishnan, Subatra Robert and Shabeer Kallarakkal in pivotal roles. Tnm StaffTwitter/ Pa RanjithThe first look poster of director Pa Ranjith’s upcoming film Natchathiram Nagargiradhu was unveiled on Wednesday, July 6. Billed as a romantic drama, the poster showed actor Dushara Vijayan as the lead of the film. The film also features actors Kalidas Jayaram, Kalaiarasan, Hari Krishnan, Subatra Robert and Shabeer Kallarakkal in important roles. The first look poster has garnered a positive response from fans and piqued their curiosity. Sharing the first look poster, director Ranjith tweeted, “Love is Political! #NatchathiramNagargiradhu, My next directorial, coming soon to cinemas near you. @officialneelam @YaazhiFilms_.” Natchathiram Nagargiradhu has music by Tenma. The technical crew also includes A Kishor Kumar as the cinematographer and Selva Rk as the editor. The film is bankrolled by Vignesh Sundaresan, Manoj Leonel Jahson, and Ranjith under the banners...
- 7/7/2022
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
Indian activist filmmaker Pa. Ranjith has revealed an extensive production slate featuring top stars and socially relevant themes.
Ranjith was at the Cannes Film Market, where he revealed “Vettuvam”, a linked film and TV series, a co-production between his and Aditi Anand’s Neelam Studios and Golden Ratio Films, the film production arm of Vistas Media Capital.
First up for Ranjith is “Natchathiram Nagargirathu,” starring Dushara Vijayan (“Sarpatta Parambarai”), Kalaiyarasan Harikrishnan (“Kuthiraivaal”) and Kalidas (“Paava Kadhaigal”). The film is set against the backdrop of the Tamil-language theater scene and explores different facets of love that go beyond gender, and includes straight and LGBTQ+ romances, Ranjith says. The film, which also explores how these various kinds of love works on a political level in Tamil Nadu, is due a July release. It is a co-production between Yaazhi Films and Neelam.
Next is an untitled film starring Vikram (“Mahaan”), set against the...
Ranjith was at the Cannes Film Market, where he revealed “Vettuvam”, a linked film and TV series, a co-production between his and Aditi Anand’s Neelam Studios and Golden Ratio Films, the film production arm of Vistas Media Capital.
First up for Ranjith is “Natchathiram Nagargirathu,” starring Dushara Vijayan (“Sarpatta Parambarai”), Kalaiyarasan Harikrishnan (“Kuthiraivaal”) and Kalidas (“Paava Kadhaigal”). The film is set against the backdrop of the Tamil-language theater scene and explores different facets of love that go beyond gender, and includes straight and LGBTQ+ romances, Ranjith says. The film, which also explores how these various kinds of love works on a political level in Tamil Nadu, is due a July release. It is a co-production between Yaazhi Films and Neelam.
Next is an untitled film starring Vikram (“Mahaan”), set against the...
- 5/27/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
CinemaAs the title suggests, the film might discuss how one turns into the hunter or becomes the hunted.PTITwitter/ Neelam ProductionsThe first look poster of director Pa Ranjith’s upcoming film Vettuvam which translates to ‘The Hunted’ was launched at the Cannes film festival on Thursday, May 19. A hand-painted artwork, the poster with the image of a tiger, is likely to be a take on the dichotomy of power. As the title suggests, the film might discuss how one turns into the hunter or becomes the hunted. Vettuvam is produced by Abhayanand Singh, Piiyush Singh and Ashwini Choudhary of Golden Ratio Films in collaboration with Ranjith and Aditi Anand's Neelam Studios. According to Pti’s report, Vettuvam will tell the story of a notorious gangster, Cholan, a modern-day Robin Hood, who establishes his control over the Ponni region of Tamil Nadu. As he fights to protect his people, he...
- 5/20/2022
- by AjayR
- The News Minute
Indian activist filmmaker Pa. Ranjith is to begin production later this year on “Vettuvam” (aka “The Hunted”), a linked film and TV series about standing up to injustice and which is largely set in a prison.
The projects are backed by Golden Ratio Films, the film production arm of Vistas Media Capital, and Neelam Studios.
The story involves a rural gangster, who is a modern day Robin Hood to his people, but who turns himself in to the police in order to avoid his enemies. What he finds within the prison system is far worse.
The Tamil-language film will come first, followed by the series. Principal photography will begin in Southern India in August this year, with the plan to release the completed movie in 2023. Producers are Ranjith, Abhayanand Singh, Piiyush Singh, Saurabh Gupta and Aditi Anand. Co-producers are Ashwini Chaudhary and Parul Singh.
The series aimed at broadcast and streaming audiences,...
The projects are backed by Golden Ratio Films, the film production arm of Vistas Media Capital, and Neelam Studios.
The story involves a rural gangster, who is a modern day Robin Hood to his people, but who turns himself in to the police in order to avoid his enemies. What he finds within the prison system is far worse.
The Tamil-language film will come first, followed by the series. Principal photography will begin in Southern India in August this year, with the plan to release the completed movie in 2023. Producers are Ranjith, Abhayanand Singh, Piiyush Singh, Saurabh Gupta and Aditi Anand. Co-producers are Ashwini Chaudhary and Parul Singh.
The series aimed at broadcast and streaming audiences,...
- 5/13/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Film Bazaar, South Asia’s largest co-production market, has revealed 21 eclectic projects from several countries and in a welter of languages, for its 2021 online edition.
The selected filmmakers will pitch their projects virtually to a curated audience of Indian and international producers, distributors, festival programmers, financiers and sales agents at an open pitch session. This year, Film Bazaar has also collaborated with the French Embassy in India which will be sponsoring the French Institute Award for one market project.
As is the usual case, the projects are a mix of festival favorites and debutants.
From India, Berlinale title “Eeb Allay Ooo!” editor Tanushree Das and Rotterdam title “Nasir” cinematographer Saumyananda Sahi make their directorial debuts with Bengali-language “Baksho Bondi” (aka “How Long Is Tomorrow?”), produced by Naren Chandavarkar (Rotterdam Fipresci winner “The Bangle Seller”); Tamil-language “Bommainayagi” (aka “Queen Doll”) by debutant Shanawaz Nizamudeen, produced by Pa. Ranjith, director of Rajinikanth...
The selected filmmakers will pitch their projects virtually to a curated audience of Indian and international producers, distributors, festival programmers, financiers and sales agents at an open pitch session. This year, Film Bazaar has also collaborated with the French Embassy in India which will be sponsoring the French Institute Award for one market project.
As is the usual case, the projects are a mix of festival favorites and debutants.
From India, Berlinale title “Eeb Allay Ooo!” editor Tanushree Das and Rotterdam title “Nasir” cinematographer Saumyananda Sahi make their directorial debuts with Bengali-language “Baksho Bondi” (aka “How Long Is Tomorrow?”), produced by Naren Chandavarkar (Rotterdam Fipresci winner “The Bangle Seller”); Tamil-language “Bommainayagi” (aka “Queen Doll”) by debutant Shanawaz Nizamudeen, produced by Pa. Ranjith, director of Rajinikanth...
- 12/22/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Directed by Ken Scott, The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir stars superstar Dhanush in the lead role and it is the story of an underdog travelling in the lands of Europe in search of his estranged father. Even though the word ?Extraordinary? which lies in the title itself is enough reason for us to go watch this film in the theatres, we will still give you more reasons why you shouldn?t miss this film, which hits the theatres tomorrow.
Dhanush?s Brilliant performance:
After proving his ace acting skills in the both South film industry as well as Bollywood; Dhanush has made his Hollywood debut with this film and we just can?t keep calm! Even the famous daily of the west, The Hollywood Reporter said this about Dhanush?s acting skills, ?The film's true appeal lies in Dhanush's winsome turn as a down-and-out foreigner experiencing the absurdity of Europe,...
Dhanush?s Brilliant performance:
After proving his ace acting skills in the both South film industry as well as Bollywood; Dhanush has made his Hollywood debut with this film and we just can?t keep calm! Even the famous daily of the west, The Hollywood Reporter said this about Dhanush?s acting skills, ?The film's true appeal lies in Dhanush's winsome turn as a down-and-out foreigner experiencing the absurdity of Europe,...
- 6/20/2019
- GlamSham
After garnering rave reviews in film festivals and registering good numbers at the box office in many countries, Dhanush?s Hollywood debut, The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir, is slated to release in India and worldwide on 21st of June. The trailer of the film received a great response, and first two songs from the film, ?Angrezi Luv Shuv? and ?Madaari? are steadily climbing up the charts. The hook step of ?Madaari? is also a rage, and has been trending with #CrushitlikeDhanush.
Ahead of the release, the makers of the film released another song from the film, ?Maila Maila?, a rap with a touch of folk music. Composed by Amit Trivedi, the song has vocals by Mame Khan and Rap by R Venkatraman. Anvita Dutt and R Venkatraman have been penned the song that gives a glimpse into the adventurous journey of the protagonist Ajatashatru Lavash Patel, a street artist who cons tourists.
Ahead of the release, the makers of the film released another song from the film, ?Maila Maila?, a rap with a touch of folk music. Composed by Amit Trivedi, the song has vocals by Mame Khan and Rap by R Venkatraman. Anvita Dutt and R Venkatraman have been penned the song that gives a glimpse into the adventurous journey of the protagonist Ajatashatru Lavash Patel, a street artist who cons tourists.
- 6/17/2019
- GlamSham
Madaari song from Hollywood movie, The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir is raging hit. A peppy number, which features Dhanush dancing like there is no tomorrow, has managed to strike a chord and audience are loving to grooving to it, and have been sharing their dance videos on social media with #CrushItLikeDhanush. Seeing the response to this song, the makers have released a fun Behind the Scenes video of the song. ?
B?r?nice Bejo who has an Academy Award nomination to her credit, and International crew of the film can be seen trying to sing the song, and the attempt at crooning the Hindi number is extremely adorable. The video also showcases some of Dhanush's dun dance moves from the number.
The ?Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir is based on the book by Romain Pu?rtolas and it revolves around an Indian street magician's journey to Paris. Finding...
B?r?nice Bejo who has an Academy Award nomination to her credit, and International crew of the film can be seen trying to sing the song, and the attempt at crooning the Hindi number is extremely adorable. The video also showcases some of Dhanush's dun dance moves from the number.
The ?Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir is based on the book by Romain Pu?rtolas and it revolves around an Indian street magician's journey to Paris. Finding...
- 6/14/2019
- GlamSham
Actor Priyanka Chopra isn?t the only one who is making a name for her in the international arena! Actor Dhanush has constantly impressed his fans with his projects in Bollywood as well as down South. However, with his film, The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir, Dhanush has become quite the global star! The movie has received huge appreciation from the audiences across the world.
The film has opened internationally across multiple locations, the key ones being France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Netherlands and Hong Kong and has already earned in excess of Inr 30 Cr in sales. The film will be releasing in major markets, from 21st June through early July, like India, Saarc, USA, Singapore, Canada and UK. The movie released in Japan on the 7th of June and got excellent reviews and opening weekend collections. The film will also release in China in this June-July period, like most recent big Bollywood films.
The film has opened internationally across multiple locations, the key ones being France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Netherlands and Hong Kong and has already earned in excess of Inr 30 Cr in sales. The film will be releasing in major markets, from 21st June through early July, like India, Saarc, USA, Singapore, Canada and UK. The movie released in Japan on the 7th of June and got excellent reviews and opening weekend collections. The film will also release in China in this June-July period, like most recent big Bollywood films.
- 6/13/2019
- GlamSham
It seems south superstar Dhanush has made the leading French actress Berenice Bejo dance with a few typical Bollywood steps to an Indian song ?Madaari? for his International film The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir.?Dhanush burns the dance floor with wacky dance moves in ?Madaari? from The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir.
Dhanush, undoubtedly one of the biggest stars down South has also made a mark in Bollywood with films like Raanjhana and Shamitabh. His Hollywood debut, The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir, has been screened in film festivals across the globe and received a lot of critical acclaim and awards.
The movie The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir is based on the book by Romain Pu?rtolas and revolves around an Indian street magician's journey to Paris, finding himself in the midst of a crazy adventure he never bargained for. The film deals with the problems of refugees...
Dhanush, undoubtedly one of the biggest stars down South has also made a mark in Bollywood with films like Raanjhana and Shamitabh. His Hollywood debut, The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir, has been screened in film festivals across the globe and received a lot of critical acclaim and awards.
The movie The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir is based on the book by Romain Pu?rtolas and revolves around an Indian street magician's journey to Paris, finding himself in the midst of a crazy adventure he never bargained for. The film deals with the problems of refugees...
- 6/11/2019
- GlamSham
The makers of the movie The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir released the trailer of the movie today. The trailer opens with Dhanush trying to wriggle his way out of the hands of cops by claiming that he is a very well-known Fakir from India and can perform magic. Later, it goes on to give us a glimpse of how he grew up realizing that he is poor but has this one ultimate dream to visit Paris one day.
The movie marks the Hollywood debut of National Award-winning actor Dhanush. Interestingly, it's also the first Hollywood film with an Indian A-lister as the main lead. Before its Indian release, the movie has been screened in many film festivals and in these, it has not just managed to get rave reviews, and awards but also managed to smash box office collections.
The movie Extraordinary Journey of The Fakir is based on the book by Romain Pu?...
The movie marks the Hollywood debut of National Award-winning actor Dhanush. Interestingly, it's also the first Hollywood film with an Indian A-lister as the main lead. Before its Indian release, the movie has been screened in many film festivals and in these, it has not just managed to get rave reviews, and awards but also managed to smash box office collections.
The movie Extraordinary Journey of The Fakir is based on the book by Romain Pu?...
- 6/4/2019
- GlamSham
Actor Dhanush's The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir, which marked his international debut, will release in India on June 21. Based on an eponymous book by Romain Puertolas, the film is directed by Ken Scott.
Excited about the Indian release, Dhanush tweeted: "Delighted to share with all of you that my first international film The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir is releasing in India, Us, Canada, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Nepal on June 21."
For his fans in southern India, the Tamil version of Dhanush's film will be released as Pakkiri.
The film is produced by Saurabh Gupta, Gulzar Singh Chahal and Aditi Anand among others, read a statement.
"We are delighted to have Anil Thadani's AA films for the all India release and Ynotx in Tamil Nadu to give this beautiful film the perfect marketing and distribution collaboration and reach the right audiences.
Having been very successful in...
Excited about the Indian release, Dhanush tweeted: "Delighted to share with all of you that my first international film The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir is releasing in India, Us, Canada, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Nepal on June 21."
For his fans in southern India, the Tamil version of Dhanush's film will be released as Pakkiri.
The film is produced by Saurabh Gupta, Gulzar Singh Chahal and Aditi Anand among others, read a statement.
"We are delighted to have Anil Thadani's AA films for the all India release and Ynotx in Tamil Nadu to give this beautiful film the perfect marketing and distribution collaboration and reach the right audiences.
Having been very successful in...
- 5/21/2019
- GlamSham
CinemaThe film is the Tamil version of the actor’s debut Hollywood flick ‘The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir’.Digital NativeDigital NativeDhanush’s debut Hollywood flick The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir is doing well. Recently, the star, along with the film’s team, was at the Cannes International Film Festival to launch its posters and Dhanush released the Tamil version’s poster. The film’s Tamil title is Vaazhkaiya Thedi Naanum Ponen. Interestingly, it is the first line of Dhanush’s hit number Odhungada Sangu from Velai Illa Pattadhari. The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir is a comedy-adventure film directed by Ken Scott. The film is based on the novel penned by Romain Puertolas titled The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an Ikea Wardrobe. It has Dhanush playing the lead role and will be released in English, Tamil and Hindi. Bankrolled by Luc Bossi, Aditi Anand and Saurabh Gupta, the film’s distribution will be handled by Sony Pictures. While Dhanush plays the lead role in it, the star cast also includes Bérénice Bejo, Barkhad Abdi, Erin Moriarty and Gérard Jugnot. Nicolas Errèra has composed the music for this venture with Vincent Mathias cranking the camera. Dhanush, acknowledged as a talented actor in the Tamil film industry, began his career as hero with the 2002 release Thulluvadho Ilamai, which was directed by his father, director Kasthuri Raja. He then went on to star in several hit movies and had won several honours and awards in his long career, including the National Award for Best Actor for his role in Aadukalam. He made his debut in Bollywood with Raanjhanaa in 2013 and will be foraying into Hollywood with The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir. Dhanush currently has a number of films needing his attention, including Vada Chennai, Maari 2 and Enai Nokki Paayum Thotta. In Maari, Dhanush played a dhoti-clad, moustache twirling local rowdy and he will return in the same getup for the sequel, which will be bankrolled by Wunderbar Films. Also read: First glimpse of Jyothika from 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam' (Content provided by Digital Native)...
- 5/15/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
A truly International collaboration, The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir, directed by Ken Scott and starring Indian actor Dhanush, rolled in Mumbai this week. The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir is produced by Brio Films, Vamonos Films, M! Capital Ventures, Little Red Car Films, Impact Films, Aurora Global Media Capital, Scope Pictures, TF1 Studio and Aleph Motion Pictures.
The film is based on “The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir who got trapped in an Ikea wardrobe” by Romain Puertolas. The screen play of the film is by Puertolas and Luc Bossi (Brio films) and has a conglomeration of production houses from 3 different continents. The shooting has commenced earlier this month and is expected to be shot in Mumbai (India), Brussels (Belgium), Rome (Italy) and Paris (France).
Starring the inimitable Dhanush in the titular role of the Fakir, the film, as the name suggests, marks an extraordinary journey in the life...
The film is based on “The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir who got trapped in an Ikea wardrobe” by Romain Puertolas. The screen play of the film is by Puertolas and Luc Bossi (Brio films) and has a conglomeration of production houses from 3 different continents. The shooting has commenced earlier this month and is expected to be shot in Mumbai (India), Brussels (Belgium), Rome (Italy) and Paris (France).
Starring the inimitable Dhanush in the titular role of the Fakir, the film, as the name suggests, marks an extraordinary journey in the life...
- 5/22/2017
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
After Bollywood celebs like Irrfan, Anil Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Om Puri, Sonu Sood and Gulshan Grover bagged roles in the West, now Tamil-Hindi actor Dhanush is all set to make his debut his Hollywood debut with Uma Thurman and Alexandra Daddario in The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir Who Got Trapped In An Ikea Cupboard.
Directed by Iranian-French director Marjane Satrapi (of Persepolis fame), the comic adventure features Dhanush as Aja, a conjurer from a forgotten Indian colony of artists, who is sent to Paris by his mother on a secret mission. A source from the set says the shoot is scheduled in India, France, Italy and Morocco in mid-2016.
When asked director why she chooses Dhanush, she says, “As I was watching various Indian movies, Dhanush became the most obvious choice — his intelligence, his killer smile, his ability to enter fully into the skin of any character...
Directed by Iranian-French director Marjane Satrapi (of Persepolis fame), the comic adventure features Dhanush as Aja, a conjurer from a forgotten Indian colony of artists, who is sent to Paris by his mother on a secret mission. A source from the set says the shoot is scheduled in India, France, Italy and Morocco in mid-2016.
When asked director why she chooses Dhanush, she says, “As I was watching various Indian movies, Dhanush became the most obvious choice — his intelligence, his killer smile, his ability to enter fully into the skin of any character...
- 1/26/2016
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
While he is an established South star, Dhanush recently also made a mark in Bollywood and now his eyes are set on Hollywood. The actor is all set to make his international debut with none other than the Kill Bill star Uma Thurman and Alexandria Daddario of San Andreas fame. The film that marks the debut of Dhanush is titled The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir Who Got Trapped In An Ikea Cupboard, directed by Iranian French director Marjane Satrapi. Dhanush plays the role of an entertainer named Aja from a group of artists who is sent to Paris on a secret mission by his mother. Director Marjane maintained that it was Dhanush's looks, smile and intelligence that attracted her the most and she was quite confident whilst casting him for this role. Produced by Aditi Anand, the film is said to be shot in India, Italy, Morocco and France...
- 1/25/2016
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
This year the 12th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla) includes a lineup of narrative and documentary features and short films. The impressive program reflects the rich diversity of Indian cinema, as well as the future of Indian filmmaking, with cutting-edge filmmakers and emerging voices bringing their acclaimed films to Los Angeles.
The festival is widely recognized as the premiere showcase of groundbreaking Indian cinema globally. Iffla will run April 8-13 at ArcLight Hollywood in Los Angeles, the festival’s home since its inception. Jadoo, an exploration of family bonds amidst two feuding brothers’ restaurants in England, will screen as the festival’s Closing Night Gala. The film is written and directed by Iffla alum Amit Gupta, and first premiered at the 2013 Berlinale. It features a wonderful ensemble cast that includes Kulvinder Ghir, Amara Karan, Harish Patel, Tom Mison, and Madhur Jaffrey. As previously announced, Iffla will open with Jeffrey D. Brown’s Sold, produced by Jane Charles and executive produced by Emma Thompson.
Iffla 2014 wil l present more than 33 films, including three world premieres, six North American premieres, six U.S. premieres, and 16 Los Angeles premieres. The films feature 10 different languages, from Hindi to Marathi, to Russian to Bengali. Additionally, Iffla supports American, Australian, British, Canadian, and European diaspora filmmakers from nine different countries telling their stories.
“I'm thrilled and proud that Iffla's line-up this year includes an especially diverse range of cinematic experiences, covering many regions of India and the diaspora,” said Iffla’s Artistic Director Jasmine Jaisinghani. "We would like to thank our Programming Advisor in India, Uma Da Cunha, for helping our programming team source some of these exceptional films."
Program highlights include: the North American premiere of Anurag Kashyap’s latest, Ugly an intense, masterfully directed psychological thriller that premiered in the 2013 Director’s Fortnight section of Cannes; Liar's Dice, the remarkable directorial debut of South Indian actress Geetu Mohandas that premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival; Anup Singh’s latest feature Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost, starring Irrfan Khan (Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire), winner of Netpac Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, and Dioraphte Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam; the Audience Award winner at the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival Hank and Asha , an exploratory, romantic look at two people bonding in the digital age by newcomer James E. Duff; Nagraj Manjule’s Fandry, a highly praised debut feature for its multilayered emotion and realism on the subject of caste discrimination; Brahmin Bulls starring Roshan Seth (Gandhi, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Mississippi Masala) and Sendhil Ramamurthy (Beauty and the Beast, Heroes) as an estranged father and son unexpectedly brought together to confront the family’s past; and Siddharth, a nuanced look at a family whose son goes missing, by lauded Canadian director and Iffla alum Richie Mehta (Amal).
The festival's feature documentary competition includes an eclectic mix of films from established and upcoming filmmakers that consider India's unique traditions and dynamic future. The films include: the world premiere of
The Auction House , an intimate and funny look at two brothers trying to keep their anachronistic family business going in the digital age; festival favorite Powerless, which depicts intense struggles over electricity in a mid-size Indian city; Faith Connections, Iffla alum Pan Nalin's beautiful and rare look at the Kumbh Mela; and the National Award-winning Shepherds of Paradise, about an arduous, mountainous trek through an animal drive in the Kashmiri winter.
The Bollywood by Night series returns this year with Bombay Talkies and Monsoon Shootout. Premiering at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, Bombay Talkies is a quartet of short films that celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema. The omnibus film features work by four of India’s most exciting contemporary directors: Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, and Anurag Kashyap, as well as a stellar cast that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, and Katrina Kaif. Monsoon Shoutout is a thrilling debut by Iffla alum writer/director Amit Kumar about how a split-second decision made by a rookie police officer has rippling effects in his life and the lives of those around him.
The shorts competition showcases a diverse selection of 15 films that include narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated works. Highlights of this year’s program include Academy Award® shortlisted Kush; Sundance award winner Love.Love.Love.; and the world premiere of acclaimed director Umesh Kulkarni’s The Fly.
Festival Passes and Gala tickets are currently on sale at the festival's website.
For more information, please visit:
Website: www.indianfilmfestival.org.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ indianfilmfestival
Twitter: https://twitter.com /iffla
Tumblr: http://indianfilmfestival.tumblr.com/
About Iffla
Now in its 12th year, the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla) is a nonprofit organization devoted to a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing films, honoring entertainment industry business executives, and promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora.
Opening Night Gala
Sold
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/2014/97min
Director: Jeffrey D. Brown
Producer: Jane Charles
Executive Producer: Emma Thompson
Screenwriters: Joseph Kwong, Jeffrey D. Brown
Composer: John McDowell, Sammy Chand, Salim & Sulaiman Merchant
Cast: Susmita Mukherjee, Seema Biswas, Tillotama Shome, Niyar Saikia, Priyanka Bose, Ankur Vikal, Parambrata Chatterjee, Gillian Anderson, David Arquette
Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Jeffrey D. Brown adapts Patricia McCormick’s novel Sold – a National Book Award finalist – into a vivid, harrowing and inspiring story of a young girl’s resilience in the face of unspeakable cruelty.
Closing Night
Jadoo
Los Angeles Premiere
UK/2013/84 mins
Director: Amit Gupta
Producers: Amanda Faber, Isabelle Georgeaux, Richard Holmes, Nikki Parrott
Screenwriter: Amit Gupta
Composer: Stephen Warbeck
Cast: Kulvinder Ghir, Amara Karan, Harish Patel, Tom Mison, Madhur Jaffrey
Set in Leicester, England, Amit Gupta’s culinary comedy charts the chaos that ensues when young Shalini gets engaged to her longtime boyfriend Mark. The fact that Mark is not Indian is the least of Shalini’s concerns. Her father Raja and uncle Jagi have been at war for years. After a legendary falling out that caused them to close their family restaurant, each man opened his own establishment – directly across the street from one another! Shalini’s dream wedding would see both men put aside their differences and prepare the feast together, but resentment runs deep and neither man can hear mention of the other’s name without a spike in blood pressure. Both the prospect of disappointing their beloved Shalini and the threat of a new, hip restaurant opening in the area force Raja and Jagi to work together – but for how long? In this uproariously funny and heartfelt exploration of family bonds, shared history and gastronomic perfection, Gupta’s cast is endlessly appealing. Plus, there’s enough mouth-watering Indian food on display to have your stomach growling before the credits roll.
Feature Films
Before My Eyes (Ankhon Dekhi)
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/107min
Director: Rajat Kapoor Producer: Manish Mundra
Screenwriter: Rajat Kapoor
Cast: Sanjay Sanjay Mishra, Seema Pahwa, Rajat Kapoor, Taranjeet, Maya Sarao
Celebrated writer, director, and actor Rajat Kapoor (Midnight’s Children, Monsoon Wedding, Mixed Doubles, Mithya) paints an offbeat yet thought-provoking portrait of domestic life in modern day Delhi when an incident prompts head of the family Bauji to reject anything he himself has not experienced, much to the exasperation of his extended family but to the delight of his newfound philosopher disciples. Balancing the comical and the existential, both Bauji and the film ask the basic question, ‘Can you know truth without true experience?’
Brahmin Bulls
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/96min/2013
Director: Mahesh Pailoor
Producer: Yoshinobu Tsuji
Screenwriters: Anu Pradhan, Mahesh Pailoor
Cast: Sendhil Ramamurthy, Roshan Seth, Mary Steenburgen, Justin Bartha, Cassidy Freeman, Monica Raymund, Michael Lerner
Mahesh Pailoor's tender, funny, and touching debut tells the story of estranged father and son Ashok and Sid, who reunite at Sid's Los Angeles home when Ashok arrives unexpectedly. Each man is keeping secrets from one another, and when the truth is revealed, parent and child must work even harder to close the rift between them.
Fandry
North American Premiere
India/2013/103min
Director: Nagraj Manjule
Producers: Vivek Kajaria, Nilesh Navalakha
Screenwriter: Nagraj Manjule
Cast: Kishor Kadam, Chhaya Kadam, Somnath Awghade, Suraj Pawar, Rajshree Kharat, Sakshi Vyavhare, Aishvarya Shinde, Nagraj Manjule
Marathi poet Nagraj Manjule's impressive debut feature tells the story of Jabya, a Dalit boy, and his family's struggle against daily prejudice in their Maharashtra village. Jabya's carefree childhood desires and antics are soon stifled by his family's "untouchable" status, and the film's gradual transformation into an insightful and damning look at caste discrimination builds from a murmur to a defiant roar. Refusing to reduce his Dalit characters to victims – most explicitly at the film's explosive conclusion - Manjule's socially reflective film has received critical acclaim in India.
Hank and Asha
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/2013/73min
Director: James E. Duff
Producers: James E. Duff, Julia Morrison
Screenwriters: James E. Duff, Julia Morrison
Cast: Mahira Kakkar, Andrew Pastides
James E. Duff's feature directorial debut, the Audience Award winner at the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival, is an endearing tale of a long-distance connection in the digital age. Hank and Asha, two aspiring filmmakers separated by an ocean, connect with one another through video messages and quickly find themselves heading towards romance. That is, until Asha reveals some surprising news. Duff has created a captivating ode to the new possibilities open to us now that the world's gotten smaller.
Liar's Dice
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/104min
Director: Geetu Mohandas
Producers: Alan McAlex, Ajay G. Rai
Screenwriter: Geetu Mohandas
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Geetanjali Thapa, Manya Gupta
Established actress Geetu Mohandas steps behind the lens for her bracing directorial debut. A woman named Kamala and her daughter journey from their remote Himalayan village to Delhi in search of Kamala's missing husband. They find a guide in an unfriendly wanderer whose interest may lie more in his personal gain than in any help he can offer them. Beautifully shot by Rajeev Ravi (Gangs of Wasseypur), Mohandas' film evokes a hazardous world where answers may never be clear and a helping hand always comes at a price.
Phoring
North American Premiere
India/2013/128min
Director: Indranil Roychowdhury
Producers: Anasua Roychowdury, Sugata Bal
Screenwriters: Indranil Roychowdhury, Sugata Sinha
Cast: Akash Adhikary, Sohini Sarkar, Sourav Basak, Ritwick Charaborty, Shankar Debnath, Senjuti Roymukherjee
Indranil Roychowdhury's stunning feature debut is an evocative, unpredictable tale of confused adolescence in a struggling North Bengal town. Phoring, an imaginative adolescent boy, and his beautiful new teacher Doel form a close friendship that soon arouses doubt and suspicion when Doel's presence in the town is revealed to have less-than-noble origins. Roychowdhury accomplishes a tricky feat with his first film by luring us with the promise of an inspirational teacher-student story before ultimately delivering a much more complex and truthful account of the joys and pains of growing up.
Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost (2013)
Los Angeles Premiere Germany-India-Netherlands/2013/109min
Director: Anup Singh
Producers: Bero Beyer, Johannes Rexin, Bettina Brokemper, Thierry Lenouvel
Screenwriter: Anup Singh, Madhuja Mukherjee
Cast: Irrfan Khan, Tisca Chopra, Tillotama Shome, Rasika Dugal
Set in 1940s Punjab, Anup Singh’s latest feature Qissa details the aftermath of the Indo-Pakistan Partition through the experiences of one Sikh family, headed by Umber (Irrfan Khan). Following the family’s forceful displacement from their village, Umber’s desire for a male heir is stronger than ever. When his wife gives birth to their fourth daughter, Kanwar, Umber makes the fateful decision to raise her as a boy. This tragic choice ends up dividing the family in violent ways, and provokes a series of increasingly unsettling situations for Kanwar as she grows up. While in a sense a ghost story, the source of pain and suffering is all too real.
Siddharth
Los Angeles Premiere
Canada-India/2013/96min
Director: Richie Mehta
Producers: David Miller, Steven N. Bray
Screenwriter: Richie Mehta
Cast: Rajesh Tailang, Tannishtha Chatterjee
A celebrated Iffla alum, Canadian director Richie Mehta returns to the festival with a heartbreaking story of parents Mahendra and Suman, whose son goes missing after being sent to work 200 miles north of Delhi. Carried by powerful yet restrained performances from Rajesh Tailang and Tannishtha Chatterjee as the parents, Mehta and cast capture the dignity of those facing the unthinkable. Mehta's chance encounter with a man searching for his lost son alerted him to the underreported plight of the families of 44,000 children estimated missing in India every year.
Ugly
North American Premiere
India/2013/128mins/Dcp
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Writer: Anurag Kashyap
Producers: Vikas Bahl, Madhu Mantena, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vivek Rangachari, Arun Rangachari
Cast: Rahul Bhatt, Ronit Roy, Tejaswini Kolhapure, Anshika Shrivastava
When ten-year-old Kali disappears from her father Rahul's car on the busy streets of Mumbai, the events that follow quickly spiral out of control and plunge into a morass of corruption and violence. Rahul and Kali's mother, Shalini, are divorced. Shalini is now married to Shoumik, the local police chief. When Shoumik learns that his stepdaughter is missing, he and Rahul clash in a breathless race to find the girl. With intricate plotting and vivid characterizations, Iffla alum Anurag Kashyap fashions a story that's sure to keep the heart racing.
Writers (Sulemani Keeda)
North American Premiere
India/2013/90min
Director: Amit V Masurkar
Writer: Amit V Masurkar
Producer: Datta Dave
Cast: Naveen Kasturia, Mayank Tewari, Aditi Vasudev and Karan Mirchandani
Writing partners Dulal and Mainak dream of shaking up Bollywood in director Amit Masurkar's slacker comedy. The two young men take a job from the wealthy, oddball son of a famous B-movie producer, but soon fear they're on the path to selling out. Masurkar's film captures the creative spirit of Andheri West, a Mumbai suburb where writers, directors, and actors come from all over India with the dream of working in the film industry, and is a sweet taste of things to come from the new "hindie" cinema.
Documentary Features
The Auction House: A Tale of Two Brothers
World Premiere
UK/2014/85min
Director: Ed Owles
Producers: Ed Owles, Giovanna Stopponi
The auction houses of Kolkata used to be where the rich and famous found the right high-end objects to decorate their homes. Today, the family-owned Russell Exchange is the last, and oldest, one to remain in India. Director Ed Owles follows two brothers, with the older brother moving back to Kolkata from London with hopes of using his Western business acumen to bring the Exchange into the 21st century. However, in a country radically transformed by technology and a rising youth culture, it may already be too late.
Faith Connections
Los Angeles Premiere
France-India/2013/115min/Dcp
Director: Pan Nalin
Producers: Raphaël Berdugo, Gaurav Dhingra, Pan Nalin, Virginie Lacombe
Every three years, Hindus gather at one of four rotating sites for Kumbh Mela, a religious celebration of faith and devotion marked by bathing in the sacred waters of the Ganges. With 100 million people at the 2013 Kumbh Mela, the pilgrimage is said to be the largest gathering on the planet. Iffla alum Pan Nalin crafts a moving and unique view of the mass gathering and presents unique stories of how individuals came to be there to share in the belief of the divine.
Powerless (Katiyabaaz)
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/82min
Director: Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar
Producers: Fahad Mustafa, Deepti Kakkar, Judy Tam, Leopold Koegler
Screenwriter: Fahad Mustafa
In Kanpur, a city of three million that has seen better days, one of the only ways for many residents to get electricity is to steal it. Co-directors Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar focus their attention on the likes of pirate engineers like Loha Singh and first female CEO at the local power authority Ritu Maheshwari. Coupled with beautiful photography of the intricately tied together powerlines of the city and a pulsating original score, they present a unique documentary about current-day India and its future battles over limited resources.
Shepherds of Paradise
U.S. Premiere
India/2013/50min
Director/Producer/Screenwriter/Cinematographer/Editor: Raja Shabir Khan
Composer: Bilal Iran
Nomadic herder Gafoor has to lead his large flock of goats, sheep, cows and horses across Jammu all the way to Kashmir so they can graze. Director Raja Shabir Khan presents lives few have ever seen, let alone lived, with simple beauty and real terror in a film that has won major National Awards in India. A cinematic wonder that must be seen to truly understand, Shepherds of Paradise is a testament of the power of film to transport us to other lands and experiences.
Bollywood By Night
Bombay Talkies
North American Premiere
India/117min/2013
Directors: Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap
Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Guneet Monga
Screenwriters: Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan , Rani Mukerji, Katrina Kaif, Randeep Hooda, Saqib Saleem, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
A quartet of short films directed by four of India’s most exciting contemporary filmmakers celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema in this omnibus film. Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap crafts a tale of ordinary people whose love of movies profoundly alters the course of their lives. Each story beautifully captures how lovers of cinema can’t help but carry that fascination into their day-to-day life. Haven’t we all wished, at one time or another, that our lives were more like a film?
Monsoon Shootout
Los Angeles Premiere
India-uk-Netherlands/2013/88min
Director: Amit Kumar
Producers: Trevor Ingman, Guneet Monga, Martijn De Grunt
Screenwriter: Amit Kumar
Cast: Vijay Varma, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Geetanjali Thapa
A split-second decision made by a rookie police officer propels writer/director Amit Kumar’s debut feature, which fascinatingly splinters into three separate, equally pulse-pounding scenarios. In a secluded alley drenched in the pouring rain, principled cop Adi aims his gun at Shiva, a vicious gangster on the run. What Adi decides to do next will reverberate throughout his personal and professional life in ways he could never imagine. Kumar thus explores the ripple effect our choices have, and how we unknowingly alter the lives of those around us.
Shorts
Aarti
Shorts Program 2
World Premiere
USA/2013/4min
Director: David Walter Lech
Producer: Terrie Samundra
A hypnotic look into the nightly “ceremony of light” ritual in a Hindu temple in Sheikhupur, Punjab.
Alchemy
Shorts Program 2
U.S. Premiere
India/2013/5min
Directors: Pranay Patwardhan, Shivangi Ranawat, Janmeet Singh
Producer: Pritesh Varia
A bold and vibrant song to the intricate fabric of modern day India, a kaleidoscope of voices, colors and traditions.
Bhiwani Junction
Shorts Program 1
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/2013/18min
Director: Abhi Singh
Producer: Abhi Singh
A poignant documentary portrait of Himanshu, a 12-year old boxer, whose formidable commitment to the sport makes his lofty dreams to become an Olympic champion appear well within reach.
Black Rock (Kaatal)
Shorts Program 1
U.S. Premiere
India/2012/22min
Director: Vikrant Pawar
Producer: Film and Television Institute of India
Two young lovers spend one last afternoon together. A beautiful meditation on the ephemeral nature of young love that has won three of India’s National Film Awards.
The Fly (Makhi)
Shorts Program 2
World Premiere
India/2013/31min
Director: Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni
Producer: Film and Television Institute of India
Employed as a Fly Killer in an upscale restaurant, Pipal must ensure a fly-free environment by smacking dead the flies that buzz over the patrons’ heads. When a nearby drainage is closed and the source of the fly infestation eradicated, Pipal must find a way to produce enough live flies to save his job, in this delightfully absurdist commentary on urban India’s emerging work culture.
Beloved (Humsafar)
Shorts Program 2
U.S. Premiere
India/2012/6min
Directors/Writers: Swapnil Awate, Laura Erbacher
Producer: Dsk Supinfocom
A sweeping single shot takes us on the breathtaking animated journey of two lovers and their eternal pursuit of harmony.
Jaya
Shorts Program 2
USA/2013/19min
Director: Puja Maewal
Producer: Puja Maewal
Young Jaya is able to survive the gruesome gang life in the unforgiving streets of Mumbai by posing as a boy. When she meets a wealthy businessman who looks like he could be the father who abandoned her, she sets out to reclaim her identity, in this engrossing drama that was shortlisted for a Student Academy Award®.
Kush
Shorts Program 1
India/2013/25min
Director: Shubhashish Bhutiani
Producer: Shubhashish Bhutiani
A bus full of schoolchildren boisterously makes its way back from a field trip when the news of Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her Sikh bodyguards breaks. As violence quickly erupts across the country, Kush, the only Sikh student in the class, must find a way to escape the unquenchable fury of retribution, in this gripping drama that was shortlisted for an Academy Award®.
Little Gypsy (Kachho Gadulo)
Shorts Program 1
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2012/6min
Directors: Saptesh Chaubal, Pranay Patwardhan, Shivangi Ranawat
Producer: D.S.K. Supinfocom
Inspired by the folk traditions of various parts of India, this stunning animated film sweeps us into a mythical journey that celebrates the power of play and imagination.
Love.Love.Love.
Shorts Program 2
Los Angeles Premiere
Russian Federation/2013/12min
Director: Sandhya Daisy Sundaram
Producers: Tanya Petrik, Guillaume Protsenko
An intimate ode to the wondrous force of love, as it takes new shapes and forms through the endless Russian winters. Love. Love.Love. won the Short Film Special Jury Award for Non-Fiction at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.
Outpost
Shorts Program 1
U.S. Premiere
India-usa/2013/17min
Director: Shiva Shankar Bajpai
Producer: Aditi Anand
In the barren desert of the India-Pakistan border, two lone army guards on the opposite sides of the line yearn for booze, mosquito repellent and some human contact, in this humorous glimpse into the absurdity of rigid immaterial divides.
Presence
Shorts Program 2
U.S. Premiere
India/2012/17min
Directors: Ekta Mittal, Yashaswini Raghunandan
Producers: Ekta Mittal, Yashaswini Raghunandan
Long days and nights spent within the bellies of the rising structural beasts that rapidly transform the city of Bangalore bring on visions of ghosts that speak of the construction workers’ memories, longings and fears, in this haunting meditation on the migrant experience.
Skin Deep
Screens with Writers
U.S. Premiere
India/2013/20min
Director: Hardik Mehta
Producers: Devang Bhavsar, Niraj Kothari
Sanjay and Sushma plan to elope to escape a looming arranged marriage. They are in love and their future together shines bright and perfect and filled with possibility--that is, as long as an extra piece of skin that complicates their sex life gets fixed in what should be a routine medical procedure. But Mumbai’s electricity gods have other plans in store for them.
Small Yellow Field (Tau Seru)
Shorts Program 1
Los Angeles Premiere
Australia-India/2013/8min
Director: Rodd Rathjen
Producer: Rodd Rathjen
In the remote vastness of the Himalayas, a young nomad's curiosity lies beyond the horizon. This stunningly photographed film made its world premiere at Cannes Critics’ Week.
The Puppet (Tamaash)
Screens with Shepherds Of Paradise
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/32min
Directors: Devanshu Singh, Satyanshu Singh
Producers: Datta Dave, Chaitanya Hegde, Omar Nissar Paul, Devanshu Singh, Satyanshu Singh
A mysterious puppet offers young Anzar the chance to escape his father’s relentless punishments over his poor school grades by granting him the power to inflict misfortune on his nemesis, his brilliant classmate, Sadat. However, his newfound peace is short-lived as Sadat falls severely ill and Anzar comes to realize that the puppet’s powers are spiraling out of his control...
The festival is widely recognized as the premiere showcase of groundbreaking Indian cinema globally. Iffla will run April 8-13 at ArcLight Hollywood in Los Angeles, the festival’s home since its inception. Jadoo, an exploration of family bonds amidst two feuding brothers’ restaurants in England, will screen as the festival’s Closing Night Gala. The film is written and directed by Iffla alum Amit Gupta, and first premiered at the 2013 Berlinale. It features a wonderful ensemble cast that includes Kulvinder Ghir, Amara Karan, Harish Patel, Tom Mison, and Madhur Jaffrey. As previously announced, Iffla will open with Jeffrey D. Brown’s Sold, produced by Jane Charles and executive produced by Emma Thompson.
Iffla 2014 wil l present more than 33 films, including three world premieres, six North American premieres, six U.S. premieres, and 16 Los Angeles premieres. The films feature 10 different languages, from Hindi to Marathi, to Russian to Bengali. Additionally, Iffla supports American, Australian, British, Canadian, and European diaspora filmmakers from nine different countries telling their stories.
“I'm thrilled and proud that Iffla's line-up this year includes an especially diverse range of cinematic experiences, covering many regions of India and the diaspora,” said Iffla’s Artistic Director Jasmine Jaisinghani. "We would like to thank our Programming Advisor in India, Uma Da Cunha, for helping our programming team source some of these exceptional films."
Program highlights include: the North American premiere of Anurag Kashyap’s latest, Ugly an intense, masterfully directed psychological thriller that premiered in the 2013 Director’s Fortnight section of Cannes; Liar's Dice, the remarkable directorial debut of South Indian actress Geetu Mohandas that premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival; Anup Singh’s latest feature Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost, starring Irrfan Khan (Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire), winner of Netpac Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, and Dioraphte Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam; the Audience Award winner at the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival Hank and Asha , an exploratory, romantic look at two people bonding in the digital age by newcomer James E. Duff; Nagraj Manjule’s Fandry, a highly praised debut feature for its multilayered emotion and realism on the subject of caste discrimination; Brahmin Bulls starring Roshan Seth (Gandhi, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Mississippi Masala) and Sendhil Ramamurthy (Beauty and the Beast, Heroes) as an estranged father and son unexpectedly brought together to confront the family’s past; and Siddharth, a nuanced look at a family whose son goes missing, by lauded Canadian director and Iffla alum Richie Mehta (Amal).
The festival's feature documentary competition includes an eclectic mix of films from established and upcoming filmmakers that consider India's unique traditions and dynamic future. The films include: the world premiere of
The Auction House , an intimate and funny look at two brothers trying to keep their anachronistic family business going in the digital age; festival favorite Powerless, which depicts intense struggles over electricity in a mid-size Indian city; Faith Connections, Iffla alum Pan Nalin's beautiful and rare look at the Kumbh Mela; and the National Award-winning Shepherds of Paradise, about an arduous, mountainous trek through an animal drive in the Kashmiri winter.
The Bollywood by Night series returns this year with Bombay Talkies and Monsoon Shootout. Premiering at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, Bombay Talkies is a quartet of short films that celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema. The omnibus film features work by four of India’s most exciting contemporary directors: Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, and Anurag Kashyap, as well as a stellar cast that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, and Katrina Kaif. Monsoon Shoutout is a thrilling debut by Iffla alum writer/director Amit Kumar about how a split-second decision made by a rookie police officer has rippling effects in his life and the lives of those around him.
The shorts competition showcases a diverse selection of 15 films that include narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated works. Highlights of this year’s program include Academy Award® shortlisted Kush; Sundance award winner Love.Love.Love.; and the world premiere of acclaimed director Umesh Kulkarni’s The Fly.
Festival Passes and Gala tickets are currently on sale at the festival's website.
For more information, please visit:
Website: www.indianfilmfestival.org.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ indianfilmfestival
Twitter: https://twitter.com /iffla
Tumblr: http://indianfilmfestival.tumblr.com/
About Iffla
Now in its 12th year, the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla) is a nonprofit organization devoted to a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing films, honoring entertainment industry business executives, and promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora.
Opening Night Gala
Sold
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/2014/97min
Director: Jeffrey D. Brown
Producer: Jane Charles
Executive Producer: Emma Thompson
Screenwriters: Joseph Kwong, Jeffrey D. Brown
Composer: John McDowell, Sammy Chand, Salim & Sulaiman Merchant
Cast: Susmita Mukherjee, Seema Biswas, Tillotama Shome, Niyar Saikia, Priyanka Bose, Ankur Vikal, Parambrata Chatterjee, Gillian Anderson, David Arquette
Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Jeffrey D. Brown adapts Patricia McCormick’s novel Sold – a National Book Award finalist – into a vivid, harrowing and inspiring story of a young girl’s resilience in the face of unspeakable cruelty.
Closing Night
Jadoo
Los Angeles Premiere
UK/2013/84 mins
Director: Amit Gupta
Producers: Amanda Faber, Isabelle Georgeaux, Richard Holmes, Nikki Parrott
Screenwriter: Amit Gupta
Composer: Stephen Warbeck
Cast: Kulvinder Ghir, Amara Karan, Harish Patel, Tom Mison, Madhur Jaffrey
Set in Leicester, England, Amit Gupta’s culinary comedy charts the chaos that ensues when young Shalini gets engaged to her longtime boyfriend Mark. The fact that Mark is not Indian is the least of Shalini’s concerns. Her father Raja and uncle Jagi have been at war for years. After a legendary falling out that caused them to close their family restaurant, each man opened his own establishment – directly across the street from one another! Shalini’s dream wedding would see both men put aside their differences and prepare the feast together, but resentment runs deep and neither man can hear mention of the other’s name without a spike in blood pressure. Both the prospect of disappointing their beloved Shalini and the threat of a new, hip restaurant opening in the area force Raja and Jagi to work together – but for how long? In this uproariously funny and heartfelt exploration of family bonds, shared history and gastronomic perfection, Gupta’s cast is endlessly appealing. Plus, there’s enough mouth-watering Indian food on display to have your stomach growling before the credits roll.
Feature Films
Before My Eyes (Ankhon Dekhi)
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/107min
Director: Rajat Kapoor Producer: Manish Mundra
Screenwriter: Rajat Kapoor
Cast: Sanjay Sanjay Mishra, Seema Pahwa, Rajat Kapoor, Taranjeet, Maya Sarao
Celebrated writer, director, and actor Rajat Kapoor (Midnight’s Children, Monsoon Wedding, Mixed Doubles, Mithya) paints an offbeat yet thought-provoking portrait of domestic life in modern day Delhi when an incident prompts head of the family Bauji to reject anything he himself has not experienced, much to the exasperation of his extended family but to the delight of his newfound philosopher disciples. Balancing the comical and the existential, both Bauji and the film ask the basic question, ‘Can you know truth without true experience?’
Brahmin Bulls
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/96min/2013
Director: Mahesh Pailoor
Producer: Yoshinobu Tsuji
Screenwriters: Anu Pradhan, Mahesh Pailoor
Cast: Sendhil Ramamurthy, Roshan Seth, Mary Steenburgen, Justin Bartha, Cassidy Freeman, Monica Raymund, Michael Lerner
Mahesh Pailoor's tender, funny, and touching debut tells the story of estranged father and son Ashok and Sid, who reunite at Sid's Los Angeles home when Ashok arrives unexpectedly. Each man is keeping secrets from one another, and when the truth is revealed, parent and child must work even harder to close the rift between them.
Fandry
North American Premiere
India/2013/103min
Director: Nagraj Manjule
Producers: Vivek Kajaria, Nilesh Navalakha
Screenwriter: Nagraj Manjule
Cast: Kishor Kadam, Chhaya Kadam, Somnath Awghade, Suraj Pawar, Rajshree Kharat, Sakshi Vyavhare, Aishvarya Shinde, Nagraj Manjule
Marathi poet Nagraj Manjule's impressive debut feature tells the story of Jabya, a Dalit boy, and his family's struggle against daily prejudice in their Maharashtra village. Jabya's carefree childhood desires and antics are soon stifled by his family's "untouchable" status, and the film's gradual transformation into an insightful and damning look at caste discrimination builds from a murmur to a defiant roar. Refusing to reduce his Dalit characters to victims – most explicitly at the film's explosive conclusion - Manjule's socially reflective film has received critical acclaim in India.
Hank and Asha
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/2013/73min
Director: James E. Duff
Producers: James E. Duff, Julia Morrison
Screenwriters: James E. Duff, Julia Morrison
Cast: Mahira Kakkar, Andrew Pastides
James E. Duff's feature directorial debut, the Audience Award winner at the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival, is an endearing tale of a long-distance connection in the digital age. Hank and Asha, two aspiring filmmakers separated by an ocean, connect with one another through video messages and quickly find themselves heading towards romance. That is, until Asha reveals some surprising news. Duff has created a captivating ode to the new possibilities open to us now that the world's gotten smaller.
Liar's Dice
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/104min
Director: Geetu Mohandas
Producers: Alan McAlex, Ajay G. Rai
Screenwriter: Geetu Mohandas
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Geetanjali Thapa, Manya Gupta
Established actress Geetu Mohandas steps behind the lens for her bracing directorial debut. A woman named Kamala and her daughter journey from their remote Himalayan village to Delhi in search of Kamala's missing husband. They find a guide in an unfriendly wanderer whose interest may lie more in his personal gain than in any help he can offer them. Beautifully shot by Rajeev Ravi (Gangs of Wasseypur), Mohandas' film evokes a hazardous world where answers may never be clear and a helping hand always comes at a price.
Phoring
North American Premiere
India/2013/128min
Director: Indranil Roychowdhury
Producers: Anasua Roychowdury, Sugata Bal
Screenwriters: Indranil Roychowdhury, Sugata Sinha
Cast: Akash Adhikary, Sohini Sarkar, Sourav Basak, Ritwick Charaborty, Shankar Debnath, Senjuti Roymukherjee
Indranil Roychowdhury's stunning feature debut is an evocative, unpredictable tale of confused adolescence in a struggling North Bengal town. Phoring, an imaginative adolescent boy, and his beautiful new teacher Doel form a close friendship that soon arouses doubt and suspicion when Doel's presence in the town is revealed to have less-than-noble origins. Roychowdhury accomplishes a tricky feat with his first film by luring us with the promise of an inspirational teacher-student story before ultimately delivering a much more complex and truthful account of the joys and pains of growing up.
Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost (2013)
Los Angeles Premiere Germany-India-Netherlands/2013/109min
Director: Anup Singh
Producers: Bero Beyer, Johannes Rexin, Bettina Brokemper, Thierry Lenouvel
Screenwriter: Anup Singh, Madhuja Mukherjee
Cast: Irrfan Khan, Tisca Chopra, Tillotama Shome, Rasika Dugal
Set in 1940s Punjab, Anup Singh’s latest feature Qissa details the aftermath of the Indo-Pakistan Partition through the experiences of one Sikh family, headed by Umber (Irrfan Khan). Following the family’s forceful displacement from their village, Umber’s desire for a male heir is stronger than ever. When his wife gives birth to their fourth daughter, Kanwar, Umber makes the fateful decision to raise her as a boy. This tragic choice ends up dividing the family in violent ways, and provokes a series of increasingly unsettling situations for Kanwar as she grows up. While in a sense a ghost story, the source of pain and suffering is all too real.
Siddharth
Los Angeles Premiere
Canada-India/2013/96min
Director: Richie Mehta
Producers: David Miller, Steven N. Bray
Screenwriter: Richie Mehta
Cast: Rajesh Tailang, Tannishtha Chatterjee
A celebrated Iffla alum, Canadian director Richie Mehta returns to the festival with a heartbreaking story of parents Mahendra and Suman, whose son goes missing after being sent to work 200 miles north of Delhi. Carried by powerful yet restrained performances from Rajesh Tailang and Tannishtha Chatterjee as the parents, Mehta and cast capture the dignity of those facing the unthinkable. Mehta's chance encounter with a man searching for his lost son alerted him to the underreported plight of the families of 44,000 children estimated missing in India every year.
Ugly
North American Premiere
India/2013/128mins/Dcp
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Writer: Anurag Kashyap
Producers: Vikas Bahl, Madhu Mantena, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vivek Rangachari, Arun Rangachari
Cast: Rahul Bhatt, Ronit Roy, Tejaswini Kolhapure, Anshika Shrivastava
When ten-year-old Kali disappears from her father Rahul's car on the busy streets of Mumbai, the events that follow quickly spiral out of control and plunge into a morass of corruption and violence. Rahul and Kali's mother, Shalini, are divorced. Shalini is now married to Shoumik, the local police chief. When Shoumik learns that his stepdaughter is missing, he and Rahul clash in a breathless race to find the girl. With intricate plotting and vivid characterizations, Iffla alum Anurag Kashyap fashions a story that's sure to keep the heart racing.
Writers (Sulemani Keeda)
North American Premiere
India/2013/90min
Director: Amit V Masurkar
Writer: Amit V Masurkar
Producer: Datta Dave
Cast: Naveen Kasturia, Mayank Tewari, Aditi Vasudev and Karan Mirchandani
Writing partners Dulal and Mainak dream of shaking up Bollywood in director Amit Masurkar's slacker comedy. The two young men take a job from the wealthy, oddball son of a famous B-movie producer, but soon fear they're on the path to selling out. Masurkar's film captures the creative spirit of Andheri West, a Mumbai suburb where writers, directors, and actors come from all over India with the dream of working in the film industry, and is a sweet taste of things to come from the new "hindie" cinema.
Documentary Features
The Auction House: A Tale of Two Brothers
World Premiere
UK/2014/85min
Director: Ed Owles
Producers: Ed Owles, Giovanna Stopponi
The auction houses of Kolkata used to be where the rich and famous found the right high-end objects to decorate their homes. Today, the family-owned Russell Exchange is the last, and oldest, one to remain in India. Director Ed Owles follows two brothers, with the older brother moving back to Kolkata from London with hopes of using his Western business acumen to bring the Exchange into the 21st century. However, in a country radically transformed by technology and a rising youth culture, it may already be too late.
Faith Connections
Los Angeles Premiere
France-India/2013/115min/Dcp
Director: Pan Nalin
Producers: Raphaël Berdugo, Gaurav Dhingra, Pan Nalin, Virginie Lacombe
Every three years, Hindus gather at one of four rotating sites for Kumbh Mela, a religious celebration of faith and devotion marked by bathing in the sacred waters of the Ganges. With 100 million people at the 2013 Kumbh Mela, the pilgrimage is said to be the largest gathering on the planet. Iffla alum Pan Nalin crafts a moving and unique view of the mass gathering and presents unique stories of how individuals came to be there to share in the belief of the divine.
Powerless (Katiyabaaz)
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/82min
Director: Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar
Producers: Fahad Mustafa, Deepti Kakkar, Judy Tam, Leopold Koegler
Screenwriter: Fahad Mustafa
In Kanpur, a city of three million that has seen better days, one of the only ways for many residents to get electricity is to steal it. Co-directors Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar focus their attention on the likes of pirate engineers like Loha Singh and first female CEO at the local power authority Ritu Maheshwari. Coupled with beautiful photography of the intricately tied together powerlines of the city and a pulsating original score, they present a unique documentary about current-day India and its future battles over limited resources.
Shepherds of Paradise
U.S. Premiere
India/2013/50min
Director/Producer/Screenwriter/Cinematographer/Editor: Raja Shabir Khan
Composer: Bilal Iran
Nomadic herder Gafoor has to lead his large flock of goats, sheep, cows and horses across Jammu all the way to Kashmir so they can graze. Director Raja Shabir Khan presents lives few have ever seen, let alone lived, with simple beauty and real terror in a film that has won major National Awards in India. A cinematic wonder that must be seen to truly understand, Shepherds of Paradise is a testament of the power of film to transport us to other lands and experiences.
Bollywood By Night
Bombay Talkies
North American Premiere
India/117min/2013
Directors: Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap
Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Guneet Monga
Screenwriters: Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan , Rani Mukerji, Katrina Kaif, Randeep Hooda, Saqib Saleem, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
A quartet of short films directed by four of India’s most exciting contemporary filmmakers celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema in this omnibus film. Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap crafts a tale of ordinary people whose love of movies profoundly alters the course of their lives. Each story beautifully captures how lovers of cinema can’t help but carry that fascination into their day-to-day life. Haven’t we all wished, at one time or another, that our lives were more like a film?
Monsoon Shootout
Los Angeles Premiere
India-uk-Netherlands/2013/88min
Director: Amit Kumar
Producers: Trevor Ingman, Guneet Monga, Martijn De Grunt
Screenwriter: Amit Kumar
Cast: Vijay Varma, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Geetanjali Thapa
A split-second decision made by a rookie police officer propels writer/director Amit Kumar’s debut feature, which fascinatingly splinters into three separate, equally pulse-pounding scenarios. In a secluded alley drenched in the pouring rain, principled cop Adi aims his gun at Shiva, a vicious gangster on the run. What Adi decides to do next will reverberate throughout his personal and professional life in ways he could never imagine. Kumar thus explores the ripple effect our choices have, and how we unknowingly alter the lives of those around us.
Shorts
Aarti
Shorts Program 2
World Premiere
USA/2013/4min
Director: David Walter Lech
Producer: Terrie Samundra
A hypnotic look into the nightly “ceremony of light” ritual in a Hindu temple in Sheikhupur, Punjab.
Alchemy
Shorts Program 2
U.S. Premiere
India/2013/5min
Directors: Pranay Patwardhan, Shivangi Ranawat, Janmeet Singh
Producer: Pritesh Varia
A bold and vibrant song to the intricate fabric of modern day India, a kaleidoscope of voices, colors and traditions.
Bhiwani Junction
Shorts Program 1
Los Angeles Premiere
USA/2013/18min
Director: Abhi Singh
Producer: Abhi Singh
A poignant documentary portrait of Himanshu, a 12-year old boxer, whose formidable commitment to the sport makes his lofty dreams to become an Olympic champion appear well within reach.
Black Rock (Kaatal)
Shorts Program 1
U.S. Premiere
India/2012/22min
Director: Vikrant Pawar
Producer: Film and Television Institute of India
Two young lovers spend one last afternoon together. A beautiful meditation on the ephemeral nature of young love that has won three of India’s National Film Awards.
The Fly (Makhi)
Shorts Program 2
World Premiere
India/2013/31min
Director: Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni
Producer: Film and Television Institute of India
Employed as a Fly Killer in an upscale restaurant, Pipal must ensure a fly-free environment by smacking dead the flies that buzz over the patrons’ heads. When a nearby drainage is closed and the source of the fly infestation eradicated, Pipal must find a way to produce enough live flies to save his job, in this delightfully absurdist commentary on urban India’s emerging work culture.
Beloved (Humsafar)
Shorts Program 2
U.S. Premiere
India/2012/6min
Directors/Writers: Swapnil Awate, Laura Erbacher
Producer: Dsk Supinfocom
A sweeping single shot takes us on the breathtaking animated journey of two lovers and their eternal pursuit of harmony.
Jaya
Shorts Program 2
USA/2013/19min
Director: Puja Maewal
Producer: Puja Maewal
Young Jaya is able to survive the gruesome gang life in the unforgiving streets of Mumbai by posing as a boy. When she meets a wealthy businessman who looks like he could be the father who abandoned her, she sets out to reclaim her identity, in this engrossing drama that was shortlisted for a Student Academy Award®.
Kush
Shorts Program 1
India/2013/25min
Director: Shubhashish Bhutiani
Producer: Shubhashish Bhutiani
A bus full of schoolchildren boisterously makes its way back from a field trip when the news of Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her Sikh bodyguards breaks. As violence quickly erupts across the country, Kush, the only Sikh student in the class, must find a way to escape the unquenchable fury of retribution, in this gripping drama that was shortlisted for an Academy Award®.
Little Gypsy (Kachho Gadulo)
Shorts Program 1
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2012/6min
Directors: Saptesh Chaubal, Pranay Patwardhan, Shivangi Ranawat
Producer: D.S.K. Supinfocom
Inspired by the folk traditions of various parts of India, this stunning animated film sweeps us into a mythical journey that celebrates the power of play and imagination.
Love.Love.Love.
Shorts Program 2
Los Angeles Premiere
Russian Federation/2013/12min
Director: Sandhya Daisy Sundaram
Producers: Tanya Petrik, Guillaume Protsenko
An intimate ode to the wondrous force of love, as it takes new shapes and forms through the endless Russian winters. Love. Love.Love. won the Short Film Special Jury Award for Non-Fiction at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.
Outpost
Shorts Program 1
U.S. Premiere
India-usa/2013/17min
Director: Shiva Shankar Bajpai
Producer: Aditi Anand
In the barren desert of the India-Pakistan border, two lone army guards on the opposite sides of the line yearn for booze, mosquito repellent and some human contact, in this humorous glimpse into the absurdity of rigid immaterial divides.
Presence
Shorts Program 2
U.S. Premiere
India/2012/17min
Directors: Ekta Mittal, Yashaswini Raghunandan
Producers: Ekta Mittal, Yashaswini Raghunandan
Long days and nights spent within the bellies of the rising structural beasts that rapidly transform the city of Bangalore bring on visions of ghosts that speak of the construction workers’ memories, longings and fears, in this haunting meditation on the migrant experience.
Skin Deep
Screens with Writers
U.S. Premiere
India/2013/20min
Director: Hardik Mehta
Producers: Devang Bhavsar, Niraj Kothari
Sanjay and Sushma plan to elope to escape a looming arranged marriage. They are in love and their future together shines bright and perfect and filled with possibility--that is, as long as an extra piece of skin that complicates their sex life gets fixed in what should be a routine medical procedure. But Mumbai’s electricity gods have other plans in store for them.
Small Yellow Field (Tau Seru)
Shorts Program 1
Los Angeles Premiere
Australia-India/2013/8min
Director: Rodd Rathjen
Producer: Rodd Rathjen
In the remote vastness of the Himalayas, a young nomad's curiosity lies beyond the horizon. This stunningly photographed film made its world premiere at Cannes Critics’ Week.
The Puppet (Tamaash)
Screens with Shepherds Of Paradise
Los Angeles Premiere
India/2013/32min
Directors: Devanshu Singh, Satyanshu Singh
Producers: Datta Dave, Chaitanya Hegde, Omar Nissar Paul, Devanshu Singh, Satyanshu Singh
A mysterious puppet offers young Anzar the chance to escape his father’s relentless punishments over his poor school grades by granting him the power to inflict misfortune on his nemesis, his brilliant classmate, Sadat. However, his newfound peace is short-lived as Sadat falls severely ill and Anzar comes to realize that the puppet’s powers are spiraling out of his control...
- 4/8/2014
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
From April 8th to the 11th, Indian films will once again be showcased in the Us at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla). In its 12th year, Iffla boasts an incredible lineup of fabulous films that reflects the rich diversity of Indian cinema. Iffla’s Artistic Director Jasmine Jaisinghani says, “I’m thrilled and proud that Iffla’s line-up this year includes an especially diverse range of cinematic experiences, covering many regions of India and the diaspora.”
Iffla 2014 presents 33 films that include feature films, documentaries and shorts. The festival will have three world premieres, six North American premieres, six U.S. premieres, and 16 Los Angeles premieres. The films feature 10 different languages, from Hindi to Marathi, to Russian to Bengali. Additionally, Iffla supports American, Australian, British, Canadian, and European diaspora filmmakers from nine different countries telling their stories.
Bollywood will be well represented with three outstanding films all showing during the festival’s run.
Iffla 2014 presents 33 films that include feature films, documentaries and shorts. The festival will have three world premieres, six North American premieres, six U.S. premieres, and 16 Los Angeles premieres. The films feature 10 different languages, from Hindi to Marathi, to Russian to Bengali. Additionally, Iffla supports American, Australian, British, Canadian, and European diaspora filmmakers from nine different countries telling their stories.
Bollywood will be well represented with three outstanding films all showing during the festival’s run.
- 3/21/2014
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
India is represented by four features, three shorts and one documentary at the 42nd International Film Festival Rotterdam that opens on January 23rd. While Amit Dutta’s Museum of Imagination, a twenty-minute short will compete for the prestigious Tiger Award for Short Film; four feature films Shanghai, Miss Lovely, Ship of Theseus and I.D will be shown out of competition in various sections. Two other short films Friday Night and 21 Chitrakoot, and documentary Celluloid Man will also be screened at the festival.
Two feature film projects will participate in industry sections of the festival. National Award winning (Anhey Ghorey da daan) director Gurvinder Singh’s second feature The Fourth Direction, produced by Kartikeya Singh, will participate in Rotterdam Lab 2013. Rotterdam Lab, in partnership with Nfdc, selects one South Asian project presented at Film Bazaar so that it can follow up on previously made connections. Bikas Ranjan Mishra’s Wild Fire will participate in Cinemart,...
Two feature film projects will participate in industry sections of the festival. National Award winning (Anhey Ghorey da daan) director Gurvinder Singh’s second feature The Fourth Direction, produced by Kartikeya Singh, will participate in Rotterdam Lab 2013. Rotterdam Lab, in partnership with Nfdc, selects one South Asian project presented at Film Bazaar so that it can follow up on previously made connections. Bikas Ranjan Mishra’s Wild Fire will participate in Cinemart,...
- 1/21/2013
- by Editorial Team
- DearCinema.com
Bikas Ranjan Mishra’s feature film project Wild Fire is one among the 32 selected projects at CineMart, International Film Festival Rotterdam’s (Iffr) co-production market. The projects will be presented to about 800 potential co-financers at the 30th edition of the market from 27th to 30th January next year.
Bikas Mishra
Wild Fire is a story of conflict between industrial growth and indigenous people. It’s not a balanced evaluation of the development question but a heavily one-sided account of those who pay the price for it. Set in a tribal hamlet in Jharkhand, Wild Fire captures life and madness in a village-in-transition that would soon make way for a mining complex. Mishra’s short film Dance of Ganesha wasscreened at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam in January 2012.
The selected projects vie for Eurimages Co-Production Development Award for a European co-production with a cash prize of €30,000, the Arte France Cinema...
Bikas Mishra
Wild Fire is a story of conflict between industrial growth and indigenous people. It’s not a balanced evaluation of the development question but a heavily one-sided account of those who pay the price for it. Set in a tribal hamlet in Jharkhand, Wild Fire captures life and madness in a village-in-transition that would soon make way for a mining complex. Mishra’s short film Dance of Ganesha wasscreened at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam in January 2012.
The selected projects vie for Eurimages Co-Production Development Award for a European co-production with a cash prize of €30,000, the Arte France Cinema...
- 12/13/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Vipin Vijay won the Incredible India Development award for his project A Voice From Elsewhere at the 6th annual Film Bazaar which concluded in Goa on Saturday.
He was awarded a cash prize of Rs.10 lakh.
Indranil Roychowdhury won the Prasad Di Award for his film Phoring which was part of the Work in Progress Lab. Prasad Lab will sponsor the Digital Intermediate (Di) process of the project.
Cinemart Rotterdam selected four producers: Aditi Anand of Little Red Car Films, Vivek Gomber of Zoo Films, Anusha Rizvi of Third World Films, Nilesh Navlakha of Navlakha Arts and Holy Basil Combine from all sections of Film Bazaar to attend the Producers’ Lab held alongside Rotterdam International Film Festival.
Nfdc Film Bazaar’s new partner; Dubai International Film Festival selected a co-production Market project, Biscuit Dour (Biscuit Race) by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki of Bangladesh for the Dubai Film Market, which is held alongside the Dubai Film Festival.
He was awarded a cash prize of Rs.10 lakh.
Indranil Roychowdhury won the Prasad Di Award for his film Phoring which was part of the Work in Progress Lab. Prasad Lab will sponsor the Digital Intermediate (Di) process of the project.
Cinemart Rotterdam selected four producers: Aditi Anand of Little Red Car Films, Vivek Gomber of Zoo Films, Anusha Rizvi of Third World Films, Nilesh Navlakha of Navlakha Arts and Holy Basil Combine from all sections of Film Bazaar to attend the Producers’ Lab held alongside Rotterdam International Film Festival.
Nfdc Film Bazaar’s new partner; Dubai International Film Festival selected a co-production Market project, Biscuit Dour (Biscuit Race) by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki of Bangladesh for the Dubai Film Market, which is held alongside the Dubai Film Festival.
- 11/25/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
The National Film Development Corporation (Nfdc) has announced the list of 26 projects selected for its annual co-production market, a part of Nfdc Film Bazaar held on the sidelines of the International Film Festival of India (Iffi), Goa.
Film Bazaar will be held from November 21-24, 2012 in Goa.
Here is the complete list of selection:-
1. Arunoday by Partho Sen Gupta (Producer: Rakesh Mehra, India)
2. Antaraal by Umesh Kulkarni (Producer: Girirsh Kulkarni, India)
3. Titli by Kanu Behl (Producer: Dibakar Banerjee, India)
4 . Superboudi by Q, Kaushik Mukherjee (Producer: Celine Overdose, India)
5. Kabuliwala by Atiq Rahimi (Producer: Sunil Doshi, India)
6. Court by Chaitanya Tamhane (Producer: Vivek Gomber, Zoo Films, India)
7. The Untold Tale by Shivajee Chandrabhushan (Producer: Shivajee Chandrabhushan, Bombay Berlin Productions, India, Moteur S’il Vous Productions, France)
8. Jabalpur Tapes by Jogavindra S Khera (Producer: Aditi Anand, India)
9. Bhopal Live by Yash Dave & Alison Patel (Producr: Parijat Entertainment, India)
10. Girls by Gul Dharmani (Producer: Shimit Amin,...
Film Bazaar will be held from November 21-24, 2012 in Goa.
Here is the complete list of selection:-
1. Arunoday by Partho Sen Gupta (Producer: Rakesh Mehra, India)
2. Antaraal by Umesh Kulkarni (Producer: Girirsh Kulkarni, India)
3. Titli by Kanu Behl (Producer: Dibakar Banerjee, India)
4 . Superboudi by Q, Kaushik Mukherjee (Producer: Celine Overdose, India)
5. Kabuliwala by Atiq Rahimi (Producer: Sunil Doshi, India)
6. Court by Chaitanya Tamhane (Producer: Vivek Gomber, Zoo Films, India)
7. The Untold Tale by Shivajee Chandrabhushan (Producer: Shivajee Chandrabhushan, Bombay Berlin Productions, India, Moteur S’il Vous Productions, France)
8. Jabalpur Tapes by Jogavindra S Khera (Producer: Aditi Anand, India)
9. Bhopal Live by Yash Dave & Alison Patel (Producr: Parijat Entertainment, India)
10. Girls by Gul Dharmani (Producer: Shimit Amin,...
- 10/25/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
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