Marrakech International Film Awards 2013 is all set to host on November 29th and the fest will last till 7th December 2013.This is one of the most reputed film festivals in the globe, and film buffs all over the world will concentrate their focus to Marrakech from November 29th.
The recent news from this corner is regarding the finalization of opening movie for the festival. Ramleela, the Indian Movie directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali will open the 13th edition of the film festival. Starring Ranveer Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in the lead role, Ramleela is the first ever Indian Movie to open any International Film Festival.
As per reports, the film is said to be an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet which is set in violent times. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is renowned as the uncrowned king among Indian filmmakers, and Ramleela is said to be his dream project in the recent times. Deepika Padukone, the model turned actress along with the director will attend the screening in Marrakech International Film Festival.
BFI London Film Festival was ruling the headlines of film magazines all over the world from the past one month, and now the fest has come to an end. The world premiere of John Lee Hancock’s ‘Saving Mr.Banks’ which stars Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson and Colin Farrel marked the end of the 57th edition BFI London Film Festival.
Saving Mr.Banks is a biographical movie which portrays the struggle of Walt Disney to bring P L Traver’s ‘Mary Poppins’ tales to the big screen via his studio. Tom Hanks was the centre stage of attraction during the world premiere of Saving Mr. Banks. He along with Emma Thompson, Colin Farrel, Ruth Wilson and the script writer of the movie, Kelly Marcel took the red carpet to support the movie in the British soil.
This year’s London Film Festival was too big beyond our thoughts, and the fest succeeded in bringing more than 670 industry guests for the 12 day event. The festival witnessed the screenings of more than 230 movies, and it attracted nearly 1, 50,000 attendees.
Mumbai Film Festival, one of the biggest film festivals in the country has an unquestionable impact in the global film world. The 15th edition of Mumbai Film Festival got kick started on 17th October at the Liberty Cinemas. In the presence of Bollywood stars like Sonakshi Sinha, Divya Dutta, Nandita Das and Tisca Chopra, the opening ceremony was highly splendid in all aspects.
The elegant opening ceremony started with the lighting of ceremonial lamp by the chief guest, Sonakshi Sinha. She was accompanied by the delegates from France, and filmmaker Shyam Benegal, chairman of organising body Mumbai Academy of Moving Image.
Several eminent filmmakers were present in the ceremony, and some of them includes, Waris Hussain, Roger Garcia, Deepa Mehta, Asghar Farhadi and Bruce Beresford.
French Filmmaker Costa Gravas and Indian acting genius Kamal Hassan were awarded for their lifetime achievements in this year’s film festival. Kamal Hassan who received the award dedicated it to his mentor, K Balachander. ”Many believe that Balachander discovered me, but I believe he invented me. It’s because of teachers like him I’m successful and I dedicate this award to him”, said an excited Kamal Hassan.
The 15th edition of the Mumbai film festival presented by Reliance Entertainment and organized by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image will feature more than 200 films from 65 countries. A whooping amount of $ 2,20,000 has been allotted to award as cash prizes, and this is something which is quite big in international film festival circles. The festival will mark its closing ceremony on 24th October 2013.
Yanaki and Milton Manaki, renowned as Manaki Brothers were the first filmmakers in Balkan as they created the first motion pictures in the Ottoman Empire. And for the first time ever in Turkey, a full set of restored films from Manaki Brothers were shown in the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival. The show was in association with a segment called ‘In Search of Celluloid’ in the film festival.
All their films were shot in the late 19th and in the early years of 20th century. The film show of Manaki brothers received wide spread acclaim and audience enjoyed it to the fullest. The show was in a special mood as Macedonian musicians Blogaj Maratov and Bojan Maratov’s elegantly composed pieces of music were played at the screening.
Igor Stardelov, the head of Cinematheque of Macedonia, said, ‘’ We made an extraordinary effort to take care of the photography archive of the Manaki’s, we kept them in the wooden boxes buried in the ground. They had left a unique archive to Macedonia. Manaki’s archive is extremely important for the world heritage; they filmed local miracles, dances, traditions, religious rituals and feasts, weddings and funerals. They had a particular interest to film the crowds’’
Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival is crossing its 50 year mark, and semi centennial celebrations are going on in a splendid manner. As expected, this year’s festival has reached the peak of fame and glory and this festival is now a prominent name in the World Film Market.
Now a days, Indian films are getting wide recognition from all corners of the world, and many of them are getting selected for renowned International Film Festivals. The latest news in this regard is about the selection of Dam 999 and Chayilyam under the feature film category at the IFFSRV (International Film Festival for Spirituality, Religion and Visionary) 2013 in Indoesia.
The film festival is scheduled from November 20th to December 31st . The festival aims to promote continuity of creativity and artworks produced and carved by filmmakers all over the world.
DAM 999, directed by Sohan Roy is renowned as a cult classic, and has got five Oscar selections in three categories (original score, original song and best picture). It is the only official selection from India at the Golden Rooster award, and the film has also won umpteen numbers of various other recognitions from different nooks of the world.
Chayilyam directed by Manoj Kana has recieved highly positive reviews from critics, and this malayalam movie is a classic of its kind. The movie is set against the background of Theyyam and it presents the struggle of women to regain the boon of feminity. The brilliant performance of the lead actors is the highlight of the movie and the acting of M R Gopakumar and Anumol K was widely appreciated.
The category winners and The Best Film award for IFFSRV (International Film Festival for spirituality, religion and visionary) will be announced on the award night in November 27th. The crew of the movies are eagerly waiting for the finalization and they expects something big from the red carpet.
The dream has come true, and its party time for the ‘Naa Bangaru Thalli’ crew. This Indian movie has won the award for the Best Feature Film at Trinity International Film Festival 2013, Detroit.
Co-produced by SunTouch Productions and Prajwala, “Naa Bangaru Talli”, a telugu feature film is directed by Rajesh Touchriver who is internationally acclaimed for his feature film on the Srilankan civil war “In The name of Buddha”. Touchriver through his production house “SunTouch Productions” has been pioneering ‘cinema for a cause’ for the last many years and has used this visual medium to highlight causes such as human trafficking, HIV/AIDS, Global Peace etc.
The story line of the movie is quite relevant in the current social scenarios. We are living in an era where gender exploitation and sexual assaults is in its peak than never before. The vitality of ‘Rajesh Touchriver’ comes into picture in this juncture as the movie deals with a hot topic, ‘Sex Trafficking’. Even though, the story is set in a middle class Indian family, still it has a global dimension, and can happen at anywhere and at anytime.
The movie garnered huge critical appreciation during its screening in the TIFF, and the performance of the actors were praised to a great extend. The screenplay of the movie which was penned by the director is absolutely realistic, and this might have helped the movie to hit the Bulls eye. The real life experiences of Sunitha Krishnan,an eminent anti-human trafficking activist who is also the co-producer and concept advisor has created its own impact. The success of Naa Bangaru Thalli in the Trinity International Film Festival has taken the Indian film world to new heights of glory and fame. The whole crew is literally excited and they are in the peak of ecstasy. In the coming months, they expect more recognitions and awards in other film festivals where Naa Bangaru Talli is going to get screened.
Naa Bangaru Talli, All Lights Film Magazine, Trinity International Film Festival, TIFF, TIFF 2013, SunTouch Productions, Prajwala, Rajesh Touchriver, Sunitha Krishnan
Naa Bangaru Thalli, the Telugu version of the Malayalam movie, Ente is slated as an official selection in the Trinity International Film Festival, 2013 which is scheduled on September 20th and 21st in Detroit, Michigan. The team members expressed their happiness and excitement about the news. “We are truly honored to be able to showcase this movie’’, said an exciting team member.
The movie is directed by Rajesh Touchriver who has directed various acclaimed documentaries and short films. His debut film, ‘Name of Buddha’ was screened in Oslo International Festival, and had received huge critical appreciation. And this time, the director has come out with a socially relevant theme with Naa Bangaru Thalli, and this movie deals with an inflammable topic, sex trafficking. The movie when released in Kerala as Ente received highly positive reviews.
Woman trafficking is one of the most serious issues faced by modern India, and this movie sends out awareness to the public, and unleashes some relevant messages on sensitive issues like, sex trafficking, women abusing and child abusing. The director has made this movie with utmost finesse, and we can see this magic craft in all the frames. Sunitha Krishnan, the renowned anti trafficking activist and the founder of Prajwala is the concept advisor and co-producer of the movie, and her contribution to this movie is unmatchable in all aspects.
Naa Bangaru Thalli is undoubtedly a masterpiece from Rajesh Touchriver, and this film will be an eye opener for people in the modern world where a woman is treated as a sex object. Naa Bangaru Thalli will ask umpteen numbers of questions to the audience, and all these queries are relevant in the current social scenario.
The crew behind the movie is happy about the official selection of the movie at the Trinity International Film Festival, and they hope something big in Detroit this time.
Chairman of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, Wilfred Wong presented a Letter of Appreciation to Chairman of Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF & TIFFCOM), Tom Yoda, at the opening ceremony of the 7th Asian Film Awards 2013 (Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center) on March18, 2013.
Serving as the Chairman of Tokyo International Film Festival since 2008, Mr. Yoda will bow out from chairmanship at the end of March and will be succeeded by Mr. Yasushi Shiina(Director-Executive Advisor, Kadokawa Pictures, Kadokawa Shoten Co., Ltd.) who has been appointed as Director General of TIFF and TIFFCOM,with effect from April 1.
While presenting the Letter of appreciation Mr. Wong congratulated him (Mr. Yoda) on his successful completion of his chairmanship and admired his leadership qualities, devotion and maintenance of friendship towards Hong Kong International Film Festival Society over the years.
Mr. Yoda was considered as the leading force behind the growth and consolidation of the festival and market with the signature green carpet and was the upholder of a positive relation between Hong Kong and Japan.
Gabriel Paez’s documentary “Sacachún, the miracle of the kidnapped God” has been officially selected to chip in BAQLAB of the Barrquilla Film Festival, Colombia – 2013.
This documentary puts in the picture, a forgotten town, where, exists the clear memory of a story told by grandparents becomes a powerful argument in their struggle; where elders daydream the return of their ancient saint, San Biritute, kidnapped 60 years ago by the government. Produced by Isabel Rodas under FILMARTE, this documentary casts Angela de Balon and Arcadio Balon in lead.
BAQLAB was created by The International Film Festival of Barranquilla as a commitment to reinforce the progress of film projects and new talent in Latin America and Caribbean. The first edition will be held BAQLAB in FICBAQ frame from 18 to 22 March 2013.
Talking about this 32 year old director, Gabriel Paez is a Graduate from Ecuador, who did completed his Post graduate degree in cinematography and SICA Management Assistance in Argentina and Master of Art Theory at UNLP Argentina.
Malayalam feature film, Akashathinte Niram (Color of Sky), directed by Dr. Bijukumar Damaodaran and produced by Ambalakkara Global Films is nominated for the 13th Annual NEW YORK INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL that is set to take place from April 30th to May 4th, 2013. The exciting and interesting fact is that the movie is for the 100 years of Indian Cinema at NYIFF 2013.
It’s U.S Premiere will take place on 3rd May in Theatre 1, Tribeca Cinema at 6:30pm. The movie has screened at various international film festivals where it received several honors. It has also been shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Picture last year.
The film was shot entirely on the Andaman Nicobar Islands and has won M J Radhakrishnan the Kerala State Award for Best Cinematographer. The casting crew includes Nedumudi Venu, Indrajith Sukumaran, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Amala Paul, Master Govardhan.
The movie is based on a 60-year-old man lives on a remote island who visits the close by harbor in a motorboat once a month to sell handicrafts. A young burglar keeps tabs on him and one day jumps onto the motorboat and demands money. The old man remains calm and takes the motorboat towards his island where the young man remains trapped. He meets the people who live with the old man, a 7-year-old boy, a 20-year-old deaf and dumb lady and a middle-aged man with a stutter. The intruder confronts rare life situations for the first time, his notion about life changes, as he understands how nature blends with life. The film is the ‘color’ of life, of the wind, of the sea and nature.
Color of Sky, will be experiencing competition with the other movies such as Aatma, Investment, Filmistaan, etc which fall into the same category.
We can say that this visually magnificent film is pondering in nature and mutely striking.