Here is what to look forward to as 10th Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival opens with showing also being held in Manchester.
This year’s highlights included a red carpet opening night at Picturehouse Central with the World Premiere of 'Article 15', starring Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana directed by Anubhav Sinha.
The closing night marks the return of Ritesh Batra, the director of The Lunchbox with the premiere of Photograph starring the legendary Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Cary Rajinder Sawhney Executive & Programming Director said, "In our 10th year we are literally stuffed to the rafters with great films.
"It is certainly our most diverse showcase with 10 languages, 7 talented women directors’ films are premiered and we reflect India’s controversial new wave of LGBTQ+ themed films.
"We also highlight young emerging talent from all over South Asia through the Satyajit Ray Short Film Competition.
"Our themed strands in this brochure kick off with Bengal Tigers highlighting this regions unique contribution to Indian and world cinema.
"There is an opportunity to catch Bengal’s hottest new talents with films like eerie sci-fi Ghost of the Golden Groves, or Unsaid, to legendary filmmakers including a Q&A with one of Kolkata’s finest master’s Buddhadeb Dasgupta alongside his magic realist film The Flight. We also honour the recent passing of director Mrinal Sen with a restoration of his classic Khandhar and offer a rare screening of Jean Renoir’s The River at new venue partner Cine Lumiere.
"Keeping our reputation up as the Punk Rock of Indian film festivals our strand Young Rebel literally busts all the stereotypes with an action-packed, fun and thought provoking bunch of movies exploring younger lives.
"Multi-award winning director Rima Das returns to LIFF with her must-see Bulbul Can Sing. Coming-of-age comedy The Lift Boy will have you falling off your seat, while the Roobha and Kattumaram premieres present young lives struggling to find their own space in the system. In Chuskit a disabled Ladakhi girl fights for her education."
"We are expecting a host of filmmaker Q&As and special guests, including Parched star Radhika Apte, and one highlight is the return of festival favourite director Anurag Kashyap of Sacred Games and Gangs of Wasseypur fame. Make sure you buy your tickets in advance for this one!"
Cary Rajinder Sawhney adds, "We are delighted to welcome back our regular many partners including Title Sponsor the Bagri Foundation, who share our passion for Asian arts and culture, for the fifth year in a row. We also offer a special thanks to the BFI Audience Fund for their valued contribution, and many more friends and supporters."
What to watch out for
Chai With Chadha (London June 22, 2019 )
A rare in-depth conversation with the UK’s most prolific drama director of Indian origin. Gurinder Chadha’s richly diverse career started with high-impact shorts at the end of the 1980s followed by her 1993 hit Bhaji On The Beach, which became an instant classic. Her mainstream mega hit was of course the unforgettable Bend It Like Beckham, which like much of her scripts referenced a uniquely British Asian experience. Ahead of releases of her much anticipated new feature Blinded By The Light and new ITV drama Beecham House, we find out what drives and inspires this iconic talent.
An Evening with Radhika Apte (Cineworld Leicester Square, 23 June)
The accomplished actress discusses her stunningly varied career. Radhika Apte is that rarity - an Indian actress who is equally successful across the independent, commercial and international sectors. She starred in box office successes like Padman, Andhadhun and Kabali, shone in indies Parched, Phobia and Bombairiya and made a global mark with Lion, The Wedding Guest and The Ashram.
Too Desi to be Queer (University of Westminster 29 June)
The festival joins hands with Thrive LDN, Brixton Reel Film Festival, Queer Asia, University of Westminster and others to present a special FREE event exploring well being in London’s South Asian LGBTQ+ communities. The event includes a dynamic range of recent LGBTQ+ shorts from South Asia and the UK, followed by a panel debate exploring community empowerment and looking after individual wellbeing, with high profile speakers. A networking social with DJ ends the evening at University of Westminster, Portland Place Campus. All are welcome but please be respectful that this is an LGBTQ+ space.
BAFTA Masterclass: Successful Directing in India (28 June)
A chance to hear from BAFTA-nominated Anurag Kashyap (Sacred Games, Gangs of Wasseypur) and Richie Mehta (Delhi Crime, India in a Day) as they discuss their careers and the evolving landscape of cinema and television in India. Book early.
In Manchester
Widow of Silence (Home Cinema Manchester 29 June 6.10pm)
Popular at Busan and Rotterdam Film Festivals, Praveen Morchhale’s drama tells of Aasia who works as a nurse in a hospital to maintain herself, her 11-year-old daughter and her sick mother-in-law. She spends her days working, looking after her family and trying to obtain a death certificate for her husband who had been taken away by the police and presumed dead. With her life in limbo, unable to either re-marry, or settle her considerable financial debt without a death certificate, a conniving government official looks to take advantage, forcing Aasia to make difficult decisions to overcome her absurd plight. Widow of Silence is a gripping and soulful film with breathtaking visuals of the Kashmir landscape.
Details
LONDON 20-29 JUNE 2019
BIRMINGHAM 21 JUNE - 1 JULY 2019
MANCHESTER 26-29 JUNE 2019
To view the full programme click here
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