DIFF marks 100 Years Of Indian Cinema

At the upcoming 9th Edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), the unique line-up showcases the wealth of talent Indian cinema has to offer. The programme called Celebration of India was announced today as Indian communities around the world celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights. The programme will bring fans close to some of the latest cutting-edge films with all-Indian star casts, the country’s finest filmmakers and its emerging talent.

Nashen Moodley, DIFF’s Director of Asia Africa Programmes, said: “To commemorate 100 years of Indian cinema, we have selected a unique collection of films that truly reflect the richness of India’s cinema that continues to retain the local flavour, essence, emotions and dialect of this culturally majestic country. Over 1,000 films are made every year in India and the platter is huge and diverse, which is a true testament to the filmmaking excellence we see year after year.”

As it also happens to be the the 150th birth anniversary of the celebrated poet Rabindranath Tagore, prominent contemporary Indian filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta pays homage to the great bard by making thirteen short films based on thirteen of his poems. Quartet 1 is a set of four of those thirteen films: The Flutist, The Pond, The Dark Maiden and Istation. Dasgupta chose to make films out of these Tagore poems not only because it was his collection of poems which brought Tagore the Nobel Prize, but also because the poems open up a limitless horizon of images that take the viewer along to a secret second world.

Indian films are ever prominent on the prestigious world film festival circuit and Hansal Mehta’s Shahid was showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival this year to much acclaim. The film is based on the true story of slain human rights lawyer Shahid Azmi, an ordinary citizen with an extraordinary commitment to justice. The award winning film was described by filmmaker Mehta as “a small film with a big heart,” a must-see for all audiences.

Next up from actor turned director Joy Mathew is Shutter, a Malayalam thriller film written and directed by Mathew in his directorial debut. The film, set and filmed in Kozhikode, revolves around three individuals, a wandering film director, an expatriate from the Gulf and a Kozhikodan auto driver. All three of them are worthy citizens but get hooked up with some unforeseen situational circumstances.

Indian director, screenwriter and actor in Bengali cinema Kaushik Ganguly brings to the screen a film that has never been treated in Indian cinema, promising to be totally different. Sound (Shobdo) is based on the life of a folio artist in Tollywood whose life becomes inextricably intertwined with the sounds that he has to produce for a living.

Rounding up the programme is Goutam Ghose, one of the most acclaimed film directors of modern India who has won a plethora of National and International awards including the only Indian to ever win the coveted Vittorio Di Sica Award. His latest venture, Zero Act is a take on true patriotism. Set in snow-wrapped Manali, the film explores through its characters a very diverse India that incorporates wit, humour, tension and the spirit that can never be defeated.

Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Artistic Director of DIFF concluded: “DIFF’s Celebration of Indian Cinema programme gives our audience an opportunity to see the current developments in Indian cinema and a toast to a cinema that’s 100 years old. This year the film industry lost one of the most incredible filmmakers of our time, Mr. Yash Chopa. Over the past five decades he touched the hearts and minds of millions around the world through the wonderful stories he brought to the screen and his work will continue to inspire filmmakers for years to come. For his body of work we remain forever grateful.”