Oscar-, BAFTA-, Golden Globe- and Grammy-winning composer A.R. Rahman, veteran producer Bobby Bedi and the Technicolor Group have unveiled a film project based on Middle Eastern wit Mulla Nasruddin at the Cannes Film Festival.
Also known as Nasreddin Hodja, Nasruddin was a 13th century folklore character from what is now Turkey, known for his pithy wit and humorous wisdom. Stories about him appear in the Islamic folklore of the Middle East, the Balkans and China and the character is enormously popular in India as well. The International Nasreddin Hodja festival is celebrated every year in Turkey.
Bedi’s credits include some of the landmark titles of Indian cinema, including Shekhar Kapur’s international breakthrough film “Bandit Queen” (1994), Deepa Mehta’s controversial “Fire” (1996), Rani Mukerji-starring relationship drama “Saathiya” (2002), Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Macbeth” adaptation “Maqbool” (2003), Stanley Tong’s Jackie Chan starrer “The Myth” (2005) and Gurvinder Singh’s Rotterdam title “Crescent Night” (2002).
Frequent collaborators,...
Also known as Nasreddin Hodja, Nasruddin was a 13th century folklore character from what is now Turkey, known for his pithy wit and humorous wisdom. Stories about him appear in the Islamic folklore of the Middle East, the Balkans and China and the character is enormously popular in India as well. The International Nasreddin Hodja festival is celebrated every year in Turkey.
Bedi’s credits include some of the landmark titles of Indian cinema, including Shekhar Kapur’s international breakthrough film “Bandit Queen” (1994), Deepa Mehta’s controversial “Fire” (1996), Rani Mukerji-starring relationship drama “Saathiya” (2002), Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Macbeth” adaptation “Maqbool” (2003), Stanley Tong’s Jackie Chan starrer “The Myth” (2005) and Gurvinder Singh’s Rotterdam title “Crescent Night” (2002).
Frequent collaborators,...
- 5/20/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Free Association
The 37-member European Film Agency Directors Association and the Asian Film Alliance Network, which was established this time last year and currently has seven members, have agreed to work together on topics of common interest and to jointly develop a better world film ecosystem.
At a meeting this week held on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival, Efad and Afan promised to enhance understanding and collaboration between Asian and European national film agencies. Topics included: dialog on policy and regulations; the development of the film industry in both regions; and addressing new media and challenges ahead.
Separately, the founding Afan members convened for a closed-door roundtable discussion on May 16. Japan’s National Film Archive and Agency of Cultural Affairs Japan and Thailand’s National Soft Power Development Subcommittee in Film Industry also participated as observers.
Afan discussions put a spotlight on some of the top film markets...
The 37-member European Film Agency Directors Association and the Asian Film Alliance Network, which was established this time last year and currently has seven members, have agreed to work together on topics of common interest and to jointly develop a better world film ecosystem.
At a meeting this week held on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival, Efad and Afan promised to enhance understanding and collaboration between Asian and European national film agencies. Topics included: dialog on policy and regulations; the development of the film industry in both regions; and addressing new media and challenges ahead.
Separately, the founding Afan members convened for a closed-door roundtable discussion on May 16. Japan’s National Film Archive and Agency of Cultural Affairs Japan and Thailand’s National Soft Power Development Subcommittee in Film Industry also participated as observers.
Afan discussions put a spotlight on some of the top film markets...
- 5/20/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Héléna Klotz’s “Spirit of Ecstasy” will open the 2024 Kashish LGBTQ+ film festival in Mumbai, while Vuk Lungulov-Klotz’s “Mutt” will close it.
“Spirit of Ecstasy,” which debuted at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, follows a gender-questioning stock-market trader who is determined to make it in the world of finance; not for the glory or
wealth, but because it’s leading them on the path to freedom. Lead Pomme was nominated in the most promising actress category at France’s Lumiere awards.
“Mutt” follows a trans man who goes through an emotional roller-coaster over a 24-hour period in New York City, bumping into their ex-boyfriend, sister and father for the first time after having lost touch with them since his gender transitioning. It debuted at Sundance 2023, where it won the U.S. dramatic special jury award for actor Lio Mehiel. It went on to play at Berlin, where it earned...
“Spirit of Ecstasy,” which debuted at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, follows a gender-questioning stock-market trader who is determined to make it in the world of finance; not for the glory or
wealth, but because it’s leading them on the path to freedom. Lead Pomme was nominated in the most promising actress category at France’s Lumiere awards.
“Mutt” follows a trans man who goes through an emotional roller-coaster over a 24-hour period in New York City, bumping into their ex-boyfriend, sister and father for the first time after having lost touch with them since his gender transitioning. It debuted at Sundance 2023, where it won the U.S. dramatic special jury award for actor Lio Mehiel. It went on to play at Berlin, where it earned...
- 4/19/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The world premiere of Rumana Molla’s Indo-Belgian film Minimum and the UK premiere of Indian actor Anshuman Jha’s directorial debut Lord Curzon Ki Haveli will be on show at this year’s UK Asian Film Festival (Ukaff).
Prominent figures including actors Shabana Azmi and Karisma Kapoor will be feted for their roles in Indian cinema at the annual event.
Ukaff, which says it is the longest running South Asian film festival in the world, will run its 26th edition from May 2 to 12 in venues across London, Leicester and Oxford.
Themed ‘Climate of Change,’ the festival will open with the premiere of Minimum at the BFI IMAX in London, while Lord Curzon Ki Haveli will close out the event at the Regent Street Cinema.
Indian industry veterans such as Kapoor, playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy and designer Rina Dhaka are expected to attend the closing gala in London, with...
Prominent figures including actors Shabana Azmi and Karisma Kapoor will be feted for their roles in Indian cinema at the annual event.
Ukaff, which says it is the longest running South Asian film festival in the world, will run its 26th edition from May 2 to 12 in venues across London, Leicester and Oxford.
Themed ‘Climate of Change,’ the festival will open with the premiere of Minimum at the BFI IMAX in London, while Lord Curzon Ki Haveli will close out the event at the Regent Street Cinema.
Indian industry veterans such as Kapoor, playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy and designer Rina Dhaka are expected to attend the closing gala in London, with...
- 4/18/2024
- by Hannah Abraham
- Deadline Film + TV
She clarifies that her films are not about dealing with the unspoken and that she does not even think in that direction. “What attracts me to stories, from ‘Fire’ onwards are the human struggles to be seen, and how the characters go about achieving their rightful place in the human struggle,” filmmaker Deepa Mehta tells an entertainment portal.
Currently her latest documentary ‘I Am Sirat’, is doing the rounds at various international film festivals. It profiles Sirat Taneja, a transgender woman based in New Delhi who lives and works as a woman in her professional career and as a social media personality, but holds the familial responsibilities of a son to her widowed mother.
Mehta, who first met Sirat five years ago on the sets of the web series ‘Leila’ where she was playing the part of a transgender guard, remembers: “I got to know her during the intensive rehearsals...
Currently her latest documentary ‘I Am Sirat’, is doing the rounds at various international film festivals. It profiles Sirat Taneja, a transgender woman based in New Delhi who lives and works as a woman in her professional career and as a social media personality, but holds the familial responsibilities of a son to her widowed mother.
Mehta, who first met Sirat five years ago on the sets of the web series ‘Leila’ where she was playing the part of a transgender guard, remembers: “I got to know her during the intensive rehearsals...
- 3/18/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The B2B meetings at Mumbai’s annual Frames media conference have now bloomed into the full-fledged Global Content Market under the guidance of veteran producer Bobby Bedi.
Bedi’s credits include some of the landmark titles of Indian cinema, including Shekhar Kapur’s international breakthrough film “Bandit Queen” (1994), Deepa Mehta’s controversial “Fire” (1996), Rani Mukerji-starring relationship drama “Saathiya” (2002), Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Macbeth” adaptation “Maqbool” (2003), Stanley Tong’s Jackie Chan starrer “The Myth” (2005) and Gurvinder Singh’s Rotterdam title “Crescent Night” (2002).
The market, which was buzzing from the get go, boasted a significant international presence from the U.K., Korea, Turkey, Spain, Germany and Saudi Arabia, besides a sizeable Indian contingent. Bedi said that the word ‘Asian’ suggests mainly content from the Far East and the Frames market plugs the gap for South Asian and Middle Eastern content. Differentiating the market from the Indian government’s Film Bazaar in Goa,...
Bedi’s credits include some of the landmark titles of Indian cinema, including Shekhar Kapur’s international breakthrough film “Bandit Queen” (1994), Deepa Mehta’s controversial “Fire” (1996), Rani Mukerji-starring relationship drama “Saathiya” (2002), Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Macbeth” adaptation “Maqbool” (2003), Stanley Tong’s Jackie Chan starrer “The Myth” (2005) and Gurvinder Singh’s Rotterdam title “Crescent Night” (2002).
The market, which was buzzing from the get go, boasted a significant international presence from the U.K., Korea, Turkey, Spain, Germany and Saudi Arabia, besides a sizeable Indian contingent. Bedi said that the word ‘Asian’ suggests mainly content from the Far East and the Frames market plugs the gap for South Asian and Middle Eastern content. Differentiating the market from the Indian government’s Film Bazaar in Goa,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth
The Indrani Mukerjea Story finally started streaming on Netflix after being stopped twice by the judiciary.
If the truth be told, the ostensibly buried truth should have remained there. As we watch this devious woman’s highly tangled and frankly sordid life unravel in four episodes of interviews with the people who form the core of this malfunctional family, we realize that the term “malfunctional” was perhaps coined for this weird family of closeted sociopaths, and if not outright homicidal characters then potential assailants with highly scheming minds.
While the first episode lays down the ground rules for the Bora/Mukerjea family (the ground rules being that there are none) the second episode is the Sakshat Prakat moment when the lady at the vortex of the mayhem makes an appearance.
Yes, folks. Brace yourself. For Indrani Mukerjea has given the makers of this misguided crime investigation docu-series a one-to-one.
The Indrani Mukerjea Story finally started streaming on Netflix after being stopped twice by the judiciary.
If the truth be told, the ostensibly buried truth should have remained there. As we watch this devious woman’s highly tangled and frankly sordid life unravel in four episodes of interviews with the people who form the core of this malfunctional family, we realize that the term “malfunctional” was perhaps coined for this weird family of closeted sociopaths, and if not outright homicidal characters then potential assailants with highly scheming minds.
While the first episode lays down the ground rules for the Bora/Mukerjea family (the ground rules being that there are none) the second episode is the Sakshat Prakat moment when the lady at the vortex of the mayhem makes an appearance.
Yes, folks. Brace yourself. For Indrani Mukerjea has given the makers of this misguided crime investigation docu-series a one-to-one.
- 3/1/2024
- by Subhash K Jha
- Bollyspice
Major news today for Oscar-nominee To Kill a Tiger. Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas is joining the award-winning feature documentary as an executive producer, alongside Dev Patel, Mindy Kaling, and other bold-faced names. The news comes as Netflix inks a deal to launch the film globally on its platform soon.
“Priyanka has stood as an unwavering advocate for the film since debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022,” a release noted, “captivated by its poignant narrative depicting a father’s valiant struggle within the judicial system to secure justice for his daughter.”
Ranjit’s daughter in ‘To Kill a Tiger’
To Kill a Tiger, directed by Nisha Pahuja, has earned two dozen awards around the world, including Best Documentary at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Amplify Voices Award at TIFF, and Best Feature Documentary at the Canadian Screen Awards. Pahuja earned the 2023 Excellence in Documentary Award from the Directors Guild of Canada.
“Priyanka has stood as an unwavering advocate for the film since debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022,” a release noted, “captivated by its poignant narrative depicting a father’s valiant struggle within the judicial system to secure justice for his daughter.”
Ranjit’s daughter in ‘To Kill a Tiger’
To Kill a Tiger, directed by Nisha Pahuja, has earned two dozen awards around the world, including Best Documentary at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Amplify Voices Award at TIFF, and Best Feature Documentary at the Canadian Screen Awards. Pahuja earned the 2023 Excellence in Documentary Award from the Directors Guild of Canada.
- 2/24/2024
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has acquired the Oscar-nominated documentary feature “To Kill a Tiger.”
The film, about a father’s pursuit of justice in rural India, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022 and was awarded best documentary at the 2023 Palm Springs International Film Festival. “To Kill a Tiger” was, up until now, the only film this year to be nominated for the best feature doc Oscar without distribution.
Directed and written by New Delhi-born director Nisha Pahuja (“The World Before Her”), the 127-minute film charts the emotional journey of Ranjit, a farmer in Jharkhand, who forces a social reckoning after his 13-year-old daughter is the victim of a gang rape.
Variety‘s film critic Siddhant Adlakha wrote in his “To Kill a Tiger” review that the docu “is a powerful and risky example of the vitality of modern nonfiction filmed in South Asia. It joins recent films like “All That Breathes,...
The film, about a father’s pursuit of justice in rural India, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022 and was awarded best documentary at the 2023 Palm Springs International Film Festival. “To Kill a Tiger” was, up until now, the only film this year to be nominated for the best feature doc Oscar without distribution.
Directed and written by New Delhi-born director Nisha Pahuja (“The World Before Her”), the 127-minute film charts the emotional journey of Ranjit, a farmer in Jharkhand, who forces a social reckoning after his 13-year-old daughter is the victim of a gang rape.
Variety‘s film critic Siddhant Adlakha wrote in his “To Kill a Tiger” review that the docu “is a powerful and risky example of the vitality of modern nonfiction filmed in South Asia. It joins recent films like “All That Breathes,...
- 2/24/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Nisha Pahuja’s Oscar-nominated documentary To Kill a Tiger is returning to theaters this Friday, extending through the end of the month.
The film will be showcased in select specialty theaters across the U.S., according to a release, including (but not limited to) Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Phoenix, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Washington DC, and Dallas.
“To Kill a Tiger follows a riveting story of Ranjit, a farmer in Jharkhand, India, who takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of sexual assault,” notes a description of the film. “The documentary highlights Ranjit’s relentless support for his daughter, a feat that is virtually unheard of in India.”
Director Nisha Pahuja attends a special screening of ‘To Kill a Tiger’ in London.
Pahuja, an Emmy nominee for the 2014 documentary The World Before Her, earned the first Oscar...
The film will be showcased in select specialty theaters across the U.S., according to a release, including (but not limited to) Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Phoenix, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Washington DC, and Dallas.
“To Kill a Tiger follows a riveting story of Ranjit, a farmer in Jharkhand, India, who takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of sexual assault,” notes a description of the film. “The documentary highlights Ranjit’s relentless support for his daughter, a feat that is virtually unheard of in India.”
Director Nisha Pahuja attends a special screening of ‘To Kill a Tiger’ in London.
Pahuja, an Emmy nominee for the 2014 documentary The World Before Her, earned the first Oscar...
- 2/5/2024
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Deepa Mehta is set to direct “Troilokya,” a thriller about an Indian woman known to be a serial killer. Production is through pan-Asian film company Through the Lens Entertainment and India’s Open Air Films.
The story, set in 19th century Calcutta during British rule, sees a female prostitute embark on an unheard of killing spree. For more than a decade, she is hunted down by detective Priyonath Mukhopadhyay. The screenplay, written by Juhi Chaturvedi (“Piku”), navigates through eccentric relationships fraught with lust, obsession, revenge and hatred.
Production is set for August and September with locations including India and Thailand. Though the Lens Entertainment is looking to appoint a distributor and aims for a theatrical release in India, with digital distribution in international territories.
“The challenge of depicting a serial murderess as a heroine is what intrigues me most about ‘Troilokya.’ ‘Is it possible to muster empathy for this child bride turned prostitute turned killer?...
The story, set in 19th century Calcutta during British rule, sees a female prostitute embark on an unheard of killing spree. For more than a decade, she is hunted down by detective Priyonath Mukhopadhyay. The screenplay, written by Juhi Chaturvedi (“Piku”), navigates through eccentric relationships fraught with lust, obsession, revenge and hatred.
Production is set for August and September with locations including India and Thailand. Though the Lens Entertainment is looking to appoint a distributor and aims for a theatrical release in India, with digital distribution in international territories.
“The challenge of depicting a serial murderess as a heroine is what intrigues me most about ‘Troilokya.’ ‘Is it possible to muster empathy for this child bride turned prostitute turned killer?...
- 2/2/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
India’s To Kill A Tiger At The 2024 Oscars (Picture Credit: Facebook & Instagram)
India has once again got the chance to shine in the 2024 Oscars because of To Kill A Tiger, which has been nominated for the Best Documentary Feature. Last year, SS Rajamouli’s Rrr and Guneet Monga‘s The Elephant Whisperers made us proud. Delhi-born Nisha Pahuja has directed the film. It deals with a susceptible subject revolving around a sexually assaulted victim. Filmmaker Nisha hopes that this recognition gained by the film will help in bringing attention to the survivors of sexual violence.
About Nisha Pahuja
Pahuja and her family moved to Canada in the 1970s. She studied English Literature at the University of Toronto and, after meeting with local Canadian producer Geeta Sondi, whom Sondhi hired as a researcher on a CBC documentary, she became a documentary filmmaker.
After the terrifying 2012 Delhi gang r*pe To Kill A Tiger,...
India has once again got the chance to shine in the 2024 Oscars because of To Kill A Tiger, which has been nominated for the Best Documentary Feature. Last year, SS Rajamouli’s Rrr and Guneet Monga‘s The Elephant Whisperers made us proud. Delhi-born Nisha Pahuja has directed the film. It deals with a susceptible subject revolving around a sexually assaulted victim. Filmmaker Nisha hopes that this recognition gained by the film will help in bringing attention to the survivors of sexual violence.
About Nisha Pahuja
Pahuja and her family moved to Canada in the 1970s. She studied English Literature at the University of Toronto and, after meeting with local Canadian producer Geeta Sondi, whom Sondhi hired as a researcher on a CBC documentary, she became a documentary filmmaker.
After the terrifying 2012 Delhi gang r*pe To Kill A Tiger,...
- 1/24/2024
- by Esita Mallik
- KoiMoi
Nisha Pahuja, whose film To Kill a Tiger received a nomination in the best feature documentary category for the 2024 Oscars, says she learnt about the honor along with the rest of the world while watching the live announcement.
“I was in shock. I couldn’t believe it. I was over the moon. Yeah, I just couldn’t believe it,” Pahuja told The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday morning about her emotional reaction. To Kill a Tiger follows Ranjit, a farmer in Jharkhand, India, who takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, Kiran, after she survived a sexual assault by three men in 2017.
Out of a father’s love for his daughter and his uphill battle for justice for her has come the Oscar nomination for Pahuja, who was born in New Delhi and raised in Toronto. But aside from her career milestone, the...
“I was in shock. I couldn’t believe it. I was over the moon. Yeah, I just couldn’t believe it,” Pahuja told The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday morning about her emotional reaction. To Kill a Tiger follows Ranjit, a farmer in Jharkhand, India, who takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, Kiran, after she survived a sexual assault by three men in 2017.
Out of a father’s love for his daughter and his uphill battle for justice for her has come the Oscar nomination for Pahuja, who was born in New Delhi and raised in Toronto. But aside from her career milestone, the...
- 1/23/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Freida Pinto took a break from her jury duties at the Red Sea Film Festival to talk to Variety about her career and her hopes for the future.
The Indian actor shot to world fame for her starring role in Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008) and remains committed to the breadth of cinema. “I’ve always looked at cinema globally,” she tells Variety. “After ‘Slumdog,’ I could have easily played all the Indian roles, the girlfriends and sidekicks, or just gone and done something only in India.”
Instead, she sought out challenging roles, often playing non-Indian characters such as Iranian or Arab women, for example a Palestinian girl in “Miral,” a choice that she recognizes is now controversial.
“I know it’s not okay these days, because the world has opened up and there’s so much talent,” Pinto says. “But — and I don’t mean this in a pompous...
The Indian actor shot to world fame for her starring role in Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008) and remains committed to the breadth of cinema. “I’ve always looked at cinema globally,” she tells Variety. “After ‘Slumdog,’ I could have easily played all the Indian roles, the girlfriends and sidekicks, or just gone and done something only in India.”
Instead, she sought out challenging roles, often playing non-Indian characters such as Iranian or Arab women, for example a Palestinian girl in “Miral,” a choice that she recognizes is now controversial.
“I know it’s not okay these days, because the world has opened up and there’s so much talent,” Pinto says. “But — and I don’t mean this in a pompous...
- 12/3/2023
- by John Bleasdale
- Variety Film + TV
With the 67th BFI London Film Festival gearing up to start on Oct. 4, the juries for the various competitions have been named.
Leading the official competition jury is acclaimed Mexican director, producer and screenwriter Amat Escalante, who won the best director honor at the 2013 edition of the Cannes Film Festival for Heli and the Silver Lion for the best director in Venice in 2016 for The Untamed. Escalante’s latest feature, Lost in the Night, is playing in the London Film Festival’s Thrill Strand.
Joining Escalante on the main jury are Kate Taylor, program director of the 2023 Edinburgh International Film Festival, and Niven Govinden, the English novelist and author of Diary of a Film.
The films in the official competition that the trio will be judging include:
Baltimore, Christine Molloy, Joe Lawlor
Dear Jassi, Tarsem Singh Dhandwar)
Europa, Sudabeh Mortezai
Evil Does Not Exist, Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Fingernails, Christos Nikou
Gasoline Rainbow,...
Leading the official competition jury is acclaimed Mexican director, producer and screenwriter Amat Escalante, who won the best director honor at the 2013 edition of the Cannes Film Festival for Heli and the Silver Lion for the best director in Venice in 2016 for The Untamed. Escalante’s latest feature, Lost in the Night, is playing in the London Film Festival’s Thrill Strand.
Joining Escalante on the main jury are Kate Taylor, program director of the 2023 Edinburgh International Film Festival, and Niven Govinden, the English novelist and author of Diary of a Film.
The films in the official competition that the trio will be judging include:
Baltimore, Christine Molloy, Joe Lawlor
Dear Jassi, Tarsem Singh Dhandwar)
Europa, Sudabeh Mortezai
Evil Does Not Exist, Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Fingernails, Christos Nikou
Gasoline Rainbow,...
- 9/19/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As the glitz-and-glam of TIFF wrapped up in Toronto over the weekend, a special film titled “I Am Sirat” made its international debut.
“I Am Sirat”, which stars Sirat Taneja and c0-directed by Deepa Mehta, follows a transgender woman in New Delhi, India, who must act as her mother’s son at home but lives her true self around her friends and colleagues.
Taneja and Mehta caught up with Et Canada’s Sangita Patel, discussing the importance of international LGBTQ+ representation on the silver screen.
Read More: Sylvester Stallone Says He’s ‘The Last Of The Dinosaurs’ At TIFF Premiere Of Documentary ‘Sly’
“I don’t feel it’s mine. It’s her narrative. It’s through her lens. It’s her journey as a trans woman in India,” says Mehta of the story, which was completely shot on smartphones.
“My mother knows about my sexuality but she doesn’t accept it.
“I Am Sirat”, which stars Sirat Taneja and c0-directed by Deepa Mehta, follows a transgender woman in New Delhi, India, who must act as her mother’s son at home but lives her true self around her friends and colleagues.
Taneja and Mehta caught up with Et Canada’s Sangita Patel, discussing the importance of international LGBTQ+ representation on the silver screen.
Read More: Sylvester Stallone Says He’s ‘The Last Of The Dinosaurs’ At TIFF Premiere Of Documentary ‘Sly’
“I don’t feel it’s mine. It’s her narrative. It’s through her lens. It’s her journey as a trans woman in India,” says Mehta of the story, which was completely shot on smartphones.
“My mother knows about my sexuality but she doesn’t accept it.
- 9/18/2023
- by Emerson Pearson
- ET Canada
Deepa Mehta’s documentary ‘I am Sirat’, which unravels the inner life of a Delhi-based transgender woman, has created a big buzz after its premiere at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) here. Shot on smartphones, ‘I am Sirat’ explores the troubling and complex duality of her life.
Sirat has to suppress her inner urge to live like a woman so that her mother, and a married sister and extended relatives are not scandalized.
As she was not willing to abandon her widowed mother as she was her only support, Sirat continues to live with her as her boy and rents a room to live out her real self as a trans woman.
When her lip-synched Punjabi songs and dance reels posted on Instagram get her a big following, she was forced to remove them by her relatives.
For this conflicted trans woman, the high point of her life...
Sirat has to suppress her inner urge to live like a woman so that her mother, and a married sister and extended relatives are not scandalized.
As she was not willing to abandon her widowed mother as she was her only support, Sirat continues to live with her as her boy and rents a room to live out her real self as a trans woman.
When her lip-synched Punjabi songs and dance reels posted on Instagram get her a big following, she was forced to remove them by her relatives.
For this conflicted trans woman, the high point of her life...
- 9/17/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Deepa Mehta’s documentary ‘I am Sirat’, which unravels the inner life of a Delhi-based transgender woman, has created a big buzz after its premiere at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) here. Shot on smartphones, ‘I am Sirat’ explores the troubling and complex duality of her life.
Sirat has to suppress her inner urge to live like a woman so that her mother, and a married sister and extended relatives are not scandalized.
As she was not willing to abandon her widowed mother as she was her only support, Sirat continues to live with her as her boy and rents a room to live out her real self as a trans woman.
When her lip-synched Punjabi songs and dance reels posted on Instagram get her a big following, she was forced to remove them by her relatives.
For this conflicted trans woman, the high point of her life...
Sirat has to suppress her inner urge to live like a woman so that her mother, and a married sister and extended relatives are not scandalized.
As she was not willing to abandon her widowed mother as she was her only support, Sirat continues to live with her as her boy and rents a room to live out her real self as a trans woman.
When her lip-synched Punjabi songs and dance reels posted on Instagram get her a big following, she was forced to remove them by her relatives.
For this conflicted trans woman, the high point of her life...
- 9/17/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Titles include Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Evil Does Not Exist; Kitty Green’s The Royal Hotel; and Christos Nikou’s Fingernails.
BFI London Film Festival has unveiled the competition line-ups for best film, best first feature and best documentary.
The 11 films competing for best film include Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Evil Does Not Exist; Kitty Green’s The Royal Hotel; Daniel Kokotajlo’s Starve Acre and Christos Nikou’s Fingernails.
Christine Molloy returns to the competition after 2019’s Rose Plays Julie. This time she has co-directed Baltimore with frequent collaborator and partner Joe Lawlor. The pair recently directed The Future Tense which...
BFI London Film Festival has unveiled the competition line-ups for best film, best first feature and best documentary.
The 11 films competing for best film include Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Evil Does Not Exist; Kitty Green’s The Royal Hotel; Daniel Kokotajlo’s Starve Acre and Christos Nikou’s Fingernails.
Christine Molloy returns to the competition after 2019’s Rose Plays Julie. This time she has co-directed Baltimore with frequent collaborator and partner Joe Lawlor. The pair recently directed The Future Tense which...
- 8/29/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Mindy Kaling and Dev Patel have boarded the doc To Kill a Tiger as executive producers prior to the film’s Oct. 20 release.
The synopsis for the film reads: “Ranjit, a farmer in India, takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of a brutal gang rape. His decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey unprecedented.”
Nisha Pahuja, whose previous work includes doc The World Before Her, directs the feature, which screened at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival and has earned three Canadian Screen Awards. To Kill a Tiger is Notice Pictures production in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada.
“I feel so lucky to be part of this remarkable film by the gifted filmmaker, Nisha Pahuja. The story is heart-wrenching but triumphant, and stays with you long after you’ve seen it. To Kill...
The synopsis for the film reads: “Ranjit, a farmer in India, takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of a brutal gang rape. His decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey unprecedented.”
Nisha Pahuja, whose previous work includes doc The World Before Her, directs the feature, which screened at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival and has earned three Canadian Screen Awards. To Kill a Tiger is Notice Pictures production in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada.
“I feel so lucky to be part of this remarkable film by the gifted filmmaker, Nisha Pahuja. The story is heart-wrenching but triumphant, and stays with you long after you’ve seen it. To Kill...
- 8/14/2023
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mindy Kaling and Dev Patel have signed on to executive produce the documentary “To Kill a Tiger,” a gripping story about a father’s pursuit of justice in rural India.
Directed and written by Nisha Pahuja (“The World Before Her”), the film charts the emotional journey of Ranjit, a farmer in Jharkhand, who forces a social reckoning after his 13-year-old daughter is the victim of a gang rape.
“Gender equity and justice within India have been central to my work over the past decade,” said Pahuja. “With ‘To Kill a Tiger,’ I encountered a story that simply had to be told because of the bravery, honesty, and resilience of the family at the heart of it. I’m grateful for Mindy and Dev’s belief in this film and its capacity to empower and serve as a catalyst for change, while building on the work of many activists and organizations.
Directed and written by Nisha Pahuja (“The World Before Her”), the film charts the emotional journey of Ranjit, a farmer in Jharkhand, who forces a social reckoning after his 13-year-old daughter is the victim of a gang rape.
“Gender equity and justice within India have been central to my work over the past decade,” said Pahuja. “With ‘To Kill a Tiger,’ I encountered a story that simply had to be told because of the bravery, honesty, and resilience of the family at the heart of it. I’m grateful for Mindy and Dev’s belief in this film and its capacity to empower and serve as a catalyst for change, while building on the work of many activists and organizations.
- 8/14/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Indian movie “Punjab ‘95” has been taken off the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival line-up.
The film, starring singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh as human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was scheduled to premiere at TIFF’s Gala Presentations.
Read More: Collaborative Masterpiece ‘I Am Sirat’ By Sirat Taneja And Deepa Mehta To Premiere At TIFF 2023
Last week, “Punjab ’95” was taken off the line-up on TIFF’s website and over the weekend, the festival’s customer relationship team tweeted: “We can confirm that the filmmaking team of “Punjab ’95” made the decision to withdraw from the TIFF 2023 lineup.”
Hello Belle, We can confirm that the filmmaking team of Punjab 95 made the decision to withdraw from the TIFF 2023 lineup.
— TIFF Customer Relations (@tiff_help) August 12, 2023
The Honey Trehan-directed film is a biography of the human rights campaigner Jaswant Singh Khalra and it was dogged by several controversies in India.
Khalra had allegedly...
The film, starring singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh as human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was scheduled to premiere at TIFF’s Gala Presentations.
Read More: Collaborative Masterpiece ‘I Am Sirat’ By Sirat Taneja And Deepa Mehta To Premiere At TIFF 2023
Last week, “Punjab ’95” was taken off the line-up on TIFF’s website and over the weekend, the festival’s customer relationship team tweeted: “We can confirm that the filmmaking team of “Punjab ’95” made the decision to withdraw from the TIFF 2023 lineup.”
Hello Belle, We can confirm that the filmmaking team of Punjab 95 made the decision to withdraw from the TIFF 2023 lineup.
— TIFF Customer Relations (@tiff_help) August 12, 2023
The Honey Trehan-directed film is a biography of the human rights campaigner Jaswant Singh Khalra and it was dogged by several controversies in India.
Khalra had allegedly...
- 8/14/2023
- by Divya Goyal
- ET Canada
“I Am Sirat,” a collaboration between Sirat Taneja and Deepa Mehta is all set to have its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film was entirely shot on cellphones and examines the duality of Sirat’s daily existence as a transgender woman living in New Delhi, India.
Read More: Toronto International Film Festival 2023: Diljit Dosanjh & Arjun Rampal’s ‘Punjab ’95’ Set For World Premiere
Sirat, a transsexual woman, is torn between obligation and autonomy. She resides in New Delhi with her widowed mother and her obedient son, who carries out duties in the Indian male tradition. But she identifies as Sirat, the person she has always known herself to be, for herself, her friends and her coworkers at the Ministry of Social Defence in New Delhi.
The movie explores Sirat’s trans experience from a variety of perspectives while providing a glimpse into the paradoxes of both her life and modern India.
Read More: Toronto International Film Festival 2023: Diljit Dosanjh & Arjun Rampal’s ‘Punjab ’95’ Set For World Premiere
Sirat, a transsexual woman, is torn between obligation and autonomy. She resides in New Delhi with her widowed mother and her obedient son, who carries out duties in the Indian male tradition. But she identifies as Sirat, the person she has always known herself to be, for herself, her friends and her coworkers at the Ministry of Social Defence in New Delhi.
The movie explores Sirat’s trans experience from a variety of perspectives while providing a glimpse into the paradoxes of both her life and modern India.
- 8/10/2023
- by Aashna Shah
- ET Canada
The programme comprises 47 films from 45 countries.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has unveiled the line-up for its Centrepiece programme, with 47 titles screening from filmmakers representing 45 countries.
Included in the programme (previously known as Contemporary World Cinema) are Victor Erice’s Close Your Eyes, getting its North American premiere; Aki Kaurismaki’s Fallen Leaves, receiving its Canadian premiere; and Agnieszka Holland’s Green Border, a North American premiere.
Scroll down for the full list of Centrepiece titles
TIFF also announced additional titles for its Galas, Special Presentations and Documentaries programmes, among them the world premiere of Brian Helgeland’s Finestkind.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has unveiled the line-up for its Centrepiece programme, with 47 titles screening from filmmakers representing 45 countries.
Included in the programme (previously known as Contemporary World Cinema) are Victor Erice’s Close Your Eyes, getting its North American premiere; Aki Kaurismaki’s Fallen Leaves, receiving its Canadian premiere; and Agnieszka Holland’s Green Border, a North American premiere.
Scroll down for the full list of Centrepiece titles
TIFF also announced additional titles for its Galas, Special Presentations and Documentaries programmes, among them the world premiere of Brian Helgeland’s Finestkind.
- 8/10/2023
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
The Toronto International Film Festival has added 59 more films to the lineup of its 2023 festival, including 47 international films in the Centrepiece program, which in previous years was known as Contemporary World Cinema. New films were also added to the Galas, Special Presentations and Documentary sections.
World premieres among the new selections include “Finestkind,” a crime thriller from Brian Helgeland (screenwriter of “L.A. Confidential”) starring Tommy Lee Jones and Ben Foster; The Movie Teller,” a film set in Chile starring Berenice Bejo from “An Education” director Lone Scherfig; and Jessica Yu’s “Quiz Lady,” with Sandra Oh and Awkwafina.
The Centrepiece selections include a number of films from May’s Cannes Film Festival, among them Wim Wenders’ “Perfect Days,” Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s “About Dry Grasses,” Aki Kaurismaki’s “Fallen Leaves,” Ramata-Toulaye Sy’s “Banel & Adama,” Amjad Al Rasheed’s “Inshallah a Boy,” Joanna Arnow’s “The Feeling That the...
World premieres among the new selections include “Finestkind,” a crime thriller from Brian Helgeland (screenwriter of “L.A. Confidential”) starring Tommy Lee Jones and Ben Foster; The Movie Teller,” a film set in Chile starring Berenice Bejo from “An Education” director Lone Scherfig; and Jessica Yu’s “Quiz Lady,” with Sandra Oh and Awkwafina.
The Centrepiece selections include a number of films from May’s Cannes Film Festival, among them Wim Wenders’ “Perfect Days,” Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s “About Dry Grasses,” Aki Kaurismaki’s “Fallen Leaves,” Ramata-Toulaye Sy’s “Banel & Adama,” Amjad Al Rasheed’s “Inshallah a Boy,” Joanna Arnow’s “The Feeling That the...
- 8/10/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The prestigious and brilliant London Indian Film Festival is gearing up for another outstanding line up of films starting in June. This year, UK and Europe’s largest South Asian film festival takes place at the prestigious BFI, Barbican (London), and Mac (Birmingham). The London Indian Film Festival and Birmingham Indian Film Festival presents a selected season of films and shorts premieres in June, with a larger programme returning in September across the UK.
The exciting June season, supported in London by the Bagri Foundation, begins with the the European premiere of the multi-starrer film The Storyteller directed by Ananth Mahadevan on 22nd June at BFI Southbank and 23rd June at Mac Birmingham. This sumptuous film is based on the writings of Satyajit Ray and includes charming performances from Indian arthouse stalwarts Paresh Rawal as a struggling writer with Adil Hussain and Tannistha Chatterjee amongst the glittering cast, presented by Jio Studios.
The exciting June season, supported in London by the Bagri Foundation, begins with the the European premiere of the multi-starrer film The Storyteller directed by Ananth Mahadevan on 22nd June at BFI Southbank and 23rd June at Mac Birmingham. This sumptuous film is based on the writings of Satyajit Ray and includes charming performances from Indian arthouse stalwarts Paresh Rawal as a struggling writer with Adil Hussain and Tannistha Chatterjee amongst the glittering cast, presented by Jio Studios.
- 5/28/2023
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
The U.K.’s London Indian Film Festival and Birmingham Indian Film Festival will work together to present a two-city, two-part panoply of feature and short films, kicking off next month with “The Storyteller.”
Directed by Ananth Mahadevan, “The Storyteller” sees Adil Hussain play a Gujarati businessman who believes that once physical wealth is accumulated, happiness will follow, but this proves not to be the case. Paresh Rawal plays the titular storyteller. The film is based on a story by the late, great Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray and contrasts the pursuit of material wealth with that of intellectual knowledge. Hussain, co-star Tannishtha Chatterjee and Mahadevan are expected to be on hand for Q&a sessions on June 22 at BFI Southbank and on June 23 at Mac Birmingham.
The “Storyteller” screenings represent the first element of a short summer season. The main festival in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds will take place Sept.
Directed by Ananth Mahadevan, “The Storyteller” sees Adil Hussain play a Gujarati businessman who believes that once physical wealth is accumulated, happiness will follow, but this proves not to be the case. Paresh Rawal plays the titular storyteller. The film is based on a story by the late, great Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray and contrasts the pursuit of material wealth with that of intellectual knowledge. Hussain, co-star Tannishtha Chatterjee and Mahadevan are expected to be on hand for Q&a sessions on June 22 at BFI Southbank and on June 23 at Mac Birmingham.
The “Storyteller” screenings represent the first element of a short summer season. The main festival in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds will take place Sept.
- 5/26/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Veteran Indian actor Anupam Kher will headline made-for-streaming film “Vijay 69” from leading Indian studio Yash Raj Films’ streaming production arm Yrf Entertainment.
“Vijay 69” will tell the story of a man, played by Kher, who decides to compete in a triathlon contest at the age of 69. It will be directed by Akshay Roy, who has previously directed “Meri Pyaari Bindu” for Yash Raj Films and who previously worked as an assistant director on Mira Nair’s “The Namesake,” Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par” and Deepa Mehta’s “Water.”
It is being produced by Maneesh Sharma, who previously directed “Band Baaja Baaraat” and produced “Dum Laga Ke Haisha” and “Sui Dhaaga: Made In India,” all for Yash Raj Films. Sharma is currently directing “Tiger 3,” the next film in Yash Raj Films’ spy universe, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.
“Vijay 69” is the third project from Yrf Entertainment. The first is “The Railway Men,...
“Vijay 69” will tell the story of a man, played by Kher, who decides to compete in a triathlon contest at the age of 69. It will be directed by Akshay Roy, who has previously directed “Meri Pyaari Bindu” for Yash Raj Films and who previously worked as an assistant director on Mira Nair’s “The Namesake,” Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par” and Deepa Mehta’s “Water.”
It is being produced by Maneesh Sharma, who previously directed “Band Baaja Baaraat” and produced “Dum Laga Ke Haisha” and “Sui Dhaaga: Made In India,” all for Yash Raj Films. Sharma is currently directing “Tiger 3,” the next film in Yash Raj Films’ spy universe, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.
“Vijay 69” is the third project from Yrf Entertainment. The first is “The Railway Men,...
- 5/4/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The film community is mourning the loss of film festival executive Noah Cowan, who died January 25 at his home in Los Angeles after a year-long battle with Glioblastoma multiforme. He was 55.
Cowan was an enthusiastic booster of independent film, a celebrated film programmer who rose from 14-year-old volunteer to co-director at the Toronto International Film Festival, cofounder of the non-profit Global Film Initiative in partnership with the Museum of Modern Art (2002-2004), Artistic Director at TIFF Bell Lightbox (2009-2014), and executive director at Sffilm (2014-2019).
In recent years he consulted for film, media, and visual arts organizations including IFC, the Telluride Film Festival, and Centre for the Moving Image in Edinburgh.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1967, Cowan earned a degree in philosophy at McGill University that informed the way he looked at the world. He was that rare cinephile who not only was a festival programmer who loved to discover new talent,...
Cowan was an enthusiastic booster of independent film, a celebrated film programmer who rose from 14-year-old volunteer to co-director at the Toronto International Film Festival, cofounder of the non-profit Global Film Initiative in partnership with the Museum of Modern Art (2002-2004), Artistic Director at TIFF Bell Lightbox (2009-2014), and executive director at Sffilm (2014-2019).
In recent years he consulted for film, media, and visual arts organizations including IFC, the Telluride Film Festival, and Centre for the Moving Image in Edinburgh.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1967, Cowan earned a degree in philosophy at McGill University that informed the way he looked at the world. He was that rare cinephile who not only was a festival programmer who loved to discover new talent,...
- 1/26/2023
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The film was deemed ineligible because more than 50 of the film’s dialogue is in English.
Zornitsa Sophia’s Mother, the Bulgarian entry for the Oscars’ best international feature film award, has been rejected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The film was deemed ineligible because more than 50 of the film’s dialogue is in English, according to the Academy, in violation of its entry requirements for the category.
The Academy wrote in a letter to Maria Bakalova, the breakout star of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm and president of the selection committee for the Bulgarian National Film Centre...
Zornitsa Sophia’s Mother, the Bulgarian entry for the Oscars’ best international feature film award, has been rejected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The film was deemed ineligible because more than 50 of the film’s dialogue is in English, according to the Academy, in violation of its entry requirements for the category.
The Academy wrote in a letter to Maria Bakalova, the breakout star of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm and president of the selection committee for the Bulgarian National Film Centre...
- 9/23/2022
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
Mother, the Bulgarian submission for this year’s International Feature Film Oscar race, has been deemed ineligible by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The film’s director, Zornitsa Sophia, announced the decision on social media this week.
Academy sources confirmed to Deadline that Mother has been rejected due to more than 50 of the spoken dialogue track being in the English language.
In her post, Zornitsa Sophia, whose 2004 film Mila From Mars was Bulgaria’s Oscar entry that year, explained that Mother‘s producing team had reached out to the Academy asking for clarification of the eligibility rule, which stipulates that “the recording of the original dialogue track as well as the completed picture must be predominantly (more than 50) in a language or languages other than English.”
She said that the Academy’s response was that eligibility is determined by timing the duration of the English and non-English dialogue,...
Academy sources confirmed to Deadline that Mother has been rejected due to more than 50 of the spoken dialogue track being in the English language.
In her post, Zornitsa Sophia, whose 2004 film Mila From Mars was Bulgaria’s Oscar entry that year, explained that Mother‘s producing team had reached out to the Academy asking for clarification of the eligibility rule, which stipulates that “the recording of the original dialogue track as well as the completed picture must be predominantly (more than 50) in a language or languages other than English.”
She said that the Academy’s response was that eligibility is determined by timing the duration of the English and non-English dialogue,...
- 9/21/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Tribeca and Chanel have sights set on the next installment of their collaboration, Through Her Lens.
Founded in 2015 by Tribeca and Chanel and in collaboration with Pulse Films, the mentorship program provides industry support, artistic development and funding to emerging U.S.-based self-identifying women and nonbinary writers and directors while also hosting finalists, industry jurors and mentors for in-person events, workshops, classes and peer-to-peer sessions.
The partners today announced the names of its 2022 leadership committee. It’s comprised of jurors, mentors and masterclass participants. Jury members include actor and director Jennifer Morrison, producer Bonnie Hammer, actor Alexandra Shipp, producer Paula Weinstein and actor Thuso Mbedu.
Mentors include Annette Bening, writer and showrunner Annie Weisman, producer Effie Brown, producer Haifaa Al-Mansour and producer Maria Zuckerman. Writing mentors include writer Becky Johnston, producer Kelly Carmichael, writer and showrunner Angela Kang, writer and showrunner Deepa Mehta...
Tribeca and Chanel have sights set on the next installment of their collaboration, Through Her Lens.
Founded in 2015 by Tribeca and Chanel and in collaboration with Pulse Films, the mentorship program provides industry support, artistic development and funding to emerging U.S.-based self-identifying women and nonbinary writers and directors while also hosting finalists, industry jurors and mentors for in-person events, workshops, classes and peer-to-peer sessions.
The partners today announced the names of its 2022 leadership committee. It’s comprised of jurors, mentors and masterclass participants. Jury members include actor and director Jennifer Morrison, producer Bonnie Hammer, actor Alexandra Shipp, producer Paula Weinstein and actor Thuso Mbedu.
Mentors include Annette Bening, writer and showrunner Annie Weisman, producer Effie Brown, producer Haifaa Al-Mansour and producer Maria Zuckerman. Writing mentors include writer Becky Johnston, producer Kelly Carmichael, writer and showrunner Angela Kang, writer and showrunner Deepa Mehta...
- 9/15/2022
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On the occasion of her passing, take another look at 'Queen Elizabeth II' and 'Prince Philip', who brought their 'Royal Tour' to Toronto to take in a Sunday service @ St. James Cathedral July 4, 2010:
On July 5, the Royals visited the 11-acre Pinewood Toronto Studios, hosted by Chairman Paul Bronfman.
Her Majesty watched the filming of a 3D sequence from Canadian director Deepa Mehta's new mini-series "1812", lensed by Dp Doug Koch, then was given a pair of 3D glasses, to watch a special playback of the sequence on a large projection screen.
Click the images to enlarge...
On July 5, the Royals visited the 11-acre Pinewood Toronto Studios, hosted by Chairman Paul Bronfman.
Her Majesty watched the filming of a 3D sequence from Canadian director Deepa Mehta's new mini-series "1812", lensed by Dp Doug Koch, then was given a pair of 3D glasses, to watch a special playback of the sequence on a large projection screen.
Click the images to enlarge...
- 9/8/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
The pan-Canadian Selection Committee has chosen director Jason Loftus’ Eternal Spring as its entry for the Best International Feature Film Oscar.
The animated documentary highlights the work of internationally renowned comic book illustrator Daxiong who, as a member of the banned Falun Gong spiritual group, was forced to flee China after police raids in the city of Changchun.
Combining present-day footage with 3D animation inspired by Daxiong’s art, Eternal Spring retraces the events that precipitated the crackdown on their 20th anniversary, with eyewitness accounts of persecution and details of the fight for political and religious freedoms.
Eight Canadian films have been official nominees in the Best Foreign Language Film category: in 2013, Rebelle by Kim Nguyen; in 2012, Monsieur Lazhar by Philippe Falardeau and In Darkness by Agnieszka Holland (a minority co-production with Poland and Germany); in 2011, Incendies by Denis Villeneuve; and in 2007, Water by Deepa Mehta.
The animated documentary highlights the work of internationally renowned comic book illustrator Daxiong who, as a member of the banned Falun Gong spiritual group, was forced to flee China after police raids in the city of Changchun.
Combining present-day footage with 3D animation inspired by Daxiong’s art, Eternal Spring retraces the events that precipitated the crackdown on their 20th anniversary, with eyewitness accounts of persecution and details of the fight for political and religious freedoms.
Eight Canadian films have been official nominees in the Best Foreign Language Film category: in 2013, Rebelle by Kim Nguyen; in 2012, Monsieur Lazhar by Philippe Falardeau and In Darkness by Agnieszka Holland (a minority co-production with Poland and Germany); in 2011, Incendies by Denis Villeneuve; and in 2007, Water by Deepa Mehta.
- 8/24/2022
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Eddie Redmayne, Viola Davis, Lee Jung-jae to participate in on-stage conversations.
TIFF has announced the In Conversation With… series and the talent development programmes and participants.
On-stage conversation participants include Eddie Redmayne, Viola Davis and Lee Jung-jae, while Sarah Gadon is announced as the TIFF Micki Moore Residency.
The festival has also unveiled the 10 Industry Selects roster of acquisition titles. TIFF runs from September 8-1.
In Conversation With…
The In Conversation With… series features Damien Chazelle, the director of La La Land and Whiplash whose December release Babylon is expected to be an awards contender; Viola Davis and Gina Prince-Bythewood,...
TIFF has announced the In Conversation With… series and the talent development programmes and participants.
On-stage conversation participants include Eddie Redmayne, Viola Davis and Lee Jung-jae, while Sarah Gadon is announced as the TIFF Micki Moore Residency.
The festival has also unveiled the 10 Industry Selects roster of acquisition titles. TIFF runs from September 8-1.
In Conversation With…
The In Conversation With… series features Damien Chazelle, the director of La La Land and Whiplash whose December release Babylon is expected to be an awards contender; Viola Davis and Gina Prince-Bythewood,...
- 8/23/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Updated Monday: The Iranian government has denied any involvement in the attack on Salman Rushdie, according to the Associated Press.
Nasser Kanaani, a spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said in a briefing to journalists on Monday: “We, in the incident of the attack on Salman Rushdie in the U.S., do not consider that anyone deserves blame and accusations except him and his supporters. Nobody has right to accuse Iran in this regard.”
“By insulting the sacred matters of Islam and crossing the red lines of more than 1.5 billion Muslims and all followers of the divine religions, Salman Rushdie has exposed himself to the anger and rage of the people,” Kanaani added.
Updated Sunday: Booker Prize winning author Salman Rushdie remains in critical condition, but retains his feisty sense of humor, his son Zafar Rushdie said in a statement.
“Following the attack on Friday, my father remains in critical...
Nasser Kanaani, a spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said in a briefing to journalists on Monday: “We, in the incident of the attack on Salman Rushdie in the U.S., do not consider that anyone deserves blame and accusations except him and his supporters. Nobody has right to accuse Iran in this regard.”
“By insulting the sacred matters of Islam and crossing the red lines of more than 1.5 billion Muslims and all followers of the divine religions, Salman Rushdie has exposed himself to the anger and rage of the people,” Kanaani added.
Updated Sunday: Booker Prize winning author Salman Rushdie remains in critical condition, but retains his feisty sense of humor, his son Zafar Rushdie said in a statement.
“Following the attack on Friday, my father remains in critical...
- 8/15/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The old president has fled, the new one is just as unpopular, and a state of emergency is in place as Sri Lanka weathers the worst economic crisis in its history.
The island nation known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean — where films like “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Tarzan, the Ape Man” and “The Bridge on the River Kwai” were shot on location — has been through some extraordinary times in recent weeks.
In the last year, the government’s economic mismanagement has precipitated a foreign currency and agricultural crisis that has led to shortages of medicine, fuel and basic food staples amid a 50 rise in inflation. The country declared bankruptcy earlier this month. While the impact to local film and TV production isn’t high on the priority list amid a looming famine, Sri Lankan industry insiders say it will take years for the creative sector to recover.
The island nation known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean — where films like “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Tarzan, the Ape Man” and “The Bridge on the River Kwai” were shot on location — has been through some extraordinary times in recent weeks.
In the last year, the government’s economic mismanagement has precipitated a foreign currency and agricultural crisis that has led to shortages of medicine, fuel and basic food staples amid a 50 rise in inflation. The country declared bankruptcy earlier this month. While the impact to local film and TV production isn’t high on the priority list amid a looming famine, Sri Lankan industry insiders say it will take years for the creative sector to recover.
- 7/22/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Soon the prestigious London Indian Film Festival will begin! Running from 23 June – 5 July 2022 you can go to the festival in cinemas in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds or experience it on your own sofa, at home, via the digital site www.LoveLIFFatHome.com.
As always, showcasing the best independent films from South Asia, this year’s lineup looks to be amazing! From the opening night film Dobaaraa to the closing night gala screening of Superfan: The Nav Bhatia Story and every film, in the intriguing and exciting strands, Liff is shining the light on brilliant and thought-provoking cinema.
One of the highlights every year are the special and always fascinating In-conversation events, and for Liff 2022, they boast some incredible women.
Taapsee Pannu, the lead protagonist of Liff’s Opening film Dobaaraa, talks about the film and her fantastic career as an actress on June 25th.
The actress has been lauded...
As always, showcasing the best independent films from South Asia, this year’s lineup looks to be amazing! From the opening night film Dobaaraa to the closing night gala screening of Superfan: The Nav Bhatia Story and every film, in the intriguing and exciting strands, Liff is shining the light on brilliant and thought-provoking cinema.
One of the highlights every year are the special and always fascinating In-conversation events, and for Liff 2022, they boast some incredible women.
Taapsee Pannu, the lead protagonist of Liff’s Opening film Dobaaraa, talks about the film and her fantastic career as an actress on June 25th.
The actress has been lauded...
- 6/5/2022
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
In “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” Francie Nolan sat on her fire escape, ate peppermint wafers, spied on her neighbors, and read books. In Aurora, I sat on my roof, ate pretzels, spied on my neighbors, and read “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” I felt seen by Francie Nolan and it surprised me when people were surprised by the fact that I related to her. At a certain point, I understood that people assumed I’d have more in common with the slum kids in “City of Joy” than Francie. No matter what came out of my mouth, my skin had already spoken for me.
I grew up with films, books, art and music from all over the world and felt kinship with so many people who didn’t necessarily share my heritage. But I became a filmmaker because I wanted to be a part of the movement I saw...
I grew up with films, books, art and music from all over the world and felt kinship with so many people who didn’t necessarily share my heritage. But I became a filmmaker because I wanted to be a part of the movement I saw...
- 5/30/2022
- by Geeta Malik
- Variety Film + TV
Toronto-based filmmaker Deepa Mehta has been making films since the 1970s, including the Oscar-nominated “Water,” part of her elements trilogy; “Bollywood/Hollywood” and “Funny Boy.” Her TV credits include “Yellowjackets,” “Little America” and “Leila.”
As an immigrant to Canada from India, I felt “seen” twice in my life. And both those moments, ironically, were diametrically antithetical to each other.
It was my first foray into North America as a young newlywed documentary filmmaker. I missed my home and family, had no work, couldn’t get the fuss about ice hockey and was frankly surprised at the general questions thrown my way by well-meaning, educated young and old white folk. One lot expressed wonderment at my grasp of the English language. “Where did you learn such good English?” My answer usually was, “on the flight from Delhi to Toronto.” While the other lot expressed complete pity that I came from such an impoverished country,...
As an immigrant to Canada from India, I felt “seen” twice in my life. And both those moments, ironically, were diametrically antithetical to each other.
It was my first foray into North America as a young newlywed documentary filmmaker. I missed my home and family, had no work, couldn’t get the fuss about ice hockey and was frankly surprised at the general questions thrown my way by well-meaning, educated young and old white folk. One lot expressed wonderment at my grasp of the English language. “Where did you learn such good English?” My answer usually was, “on the flight from Delhi to Toronto.” While the other lot expressed complete pity that I came from such an impoverished country,...
- 5/16/2022
- by Deepa Mehta
- Variety Film + TV
On the occasion of her 96th birthday, take another look at Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who brought their Royal Tour to Toronto to take in a Sunday service @ St. James Cathedral July 4, 2010:
On July 5, the Royals visited the 11-acre Pinewood Toronto Studios, hosted by Chairman Paul Bronfman.
Her Majesty watched the filming of a 3D sequence from Canadian director Deepa Mehta's new mini-series "1812", lensed by Dp Doug Koch, then was given a pair of 3D glasses, to watch a 3D playback of the sequence on a large projection screen.
On July 5, the Royals visited the 11-acre Pinewood Toronto Studios, hosted by Chairman Paul Bronfman.
Her Majesty watched the filming of a 3D sequence from Canadian director Deepa Mehta's new mini-series "1812", lensed by Dp Doug Koch, then was given a pair of 3D glasses, to watch a 3D playback of the sequence on a large projection screen.
- 4/21/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Revered Indian actor Shabana Azmi, who plays the pivotal role of Admiral Margaret Parangosky in hugely anticipated mega-budget Paramount Plus series “Halo,” describes her experience on the show as “completely different.”
The series is based on Microsoft’s iconic video game “Halo,” a sprawling science fiction epic that involves multiple warring factions and far-flung alien species. Pablo Schreiber plays the central character Master Chief. Azmi’s Parangosky, second billed in the credits after Schreiber, has frequent interactions with Natascha McElhone’s Dr. Catherine Halsey.
“The interesting thing about Margaret is that she’s conflicted, because she is somebody who plays by the rules of the game. She is somebody who is used to giving orders and having those orders obeyed. And here she’s all but manipulated by the scientists to break the rules, because she keeps [hearing] that this will be good for humanity and she does unscrupulous things,” Azmi told Variety.
The series is based on Microsoft’s iconic video game “Halo,” a sprawling science fiction epic that involves multiple warring factions and far-flung alien species. Pablo Schreiber plays the central character Master Chief. Azmi’s Parangosky, second billed in the credits after Schreiber, has frequent interactions with Natascha McElhone’s Dr. Catherine Halsey.
“The interesting thing about Margaret is that she’s conflicted, because she is somebody who plays by the rules of the game. She is somebody who is used to giving orders and having those orders obeyed. And here she’s all but manipulated by the scientists to break the rules, because she keeps [hearing] that this will be good for humanity and she does unscrupulous things,” Azmi told Variety.
- 3/22/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Ava DuVernay’s Array Releasing has acquired award-winning feature films “Definition Please” and “Donkeyhead” and will debut them on Netflix.
Array has acquired distribution rights to both films in the U.S., U.K., Australia and New Zealand, with the additional territory of Canada for “Definition Please,” and will debut them on Jan. 21 on Netflix.
Both films are by South Asian origin female actor-filmmakers making their feature directorial debuts and who also star in them. “Definition Please” is by Sujata Day, whose acting credits include HBO’s “Insecure” and she directed and starred in short “Cowboy and Indian,” which is now being developed as a series.
The film follows Monica (Day), a former Scribbs Spelling Bee champion in the U.S. who must reconcile with her estranged brother when he returns home to help care for their sick mother. The film also features Ritesh Rajan (“Russian Doll”), Anna Khaja (“The Walking Dead: World Beyond...
Array has acquired distribution rights to both films in the U.S., U.K., Australia and New Zealand, with the additional territory of Canada for “Definition Please,” and will debut them on Jan. 21 on Netflix.
Both films are by South Asian origin female actor-filmmakers making their feature directorial debuts and who also star in them. “Definition Please” is by Sujata Day, whose acting credits include HBO’s “Insecure” and she directed and starred in short “Cowboy and Indian,” which is now being developed as a series.
The film follows Monica (Day), a former Scribbs Spelling Bee champion in the U.S. who must reconcile with her estranged brother when he returns home to help care for their sick mother. The film also features Ritesh Rajan (“Russian Doll”), Anna Khaja (“The Walking Dead: World Beyond...
- 1/10/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Huddle up, team. If you're not caught up on Showtime's "Yellowjackets" yet, get your life together because we're crash landing with our first individual episode recap. This week's episode, "Bear Down" comes to us from show co-executive producer Liz Phang and Deepa Mehta and it's a very Nat-centric episode. Hurray for Juliette Lewis! Hurray for Sophie Thatcher! Hurray for all of us to get to enjoy it!
After a quick recap of last week's episode, we're back inside the plane during the crash, and checking in on our favorite bleached blonde pile of teen angst and smoky eyeliner, Natalie Scatorccio. It doesn't take long...
The post Yellowjackets Bears Down With a Filler Where Nat's a Killer appeared first on /Film.
After a quick recap of last week's episode, we're back inside the plane during the crash, and checking in on our favorite bleached blonde pile of teen angst and smoky eyeliner, Natalie Scatorccio. It doesn't take long...
The post Yellowjackets Bears Down With a Filler Where Nat's a Killer appeared first on /Film.
- 12/6/2021
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, one of India’s top actors, has boarded the cast of feature film “Arrangements of Love.”
The film is to be directed by BAFTA-winning Welsh director Philip John, whose credits include “Downton Abbey” and “The Good Karma Hospital.”
The film is produced by Sunitha Tati’s Indian outfit Guru Films, whose “Oh! Baby,” the 2019 Telugu-language adaptation of 2014 Korean film “Miss Granny,” was a commercial success. “Oh! Baby” starred Samantha, who is known by just her first name.
The actor won much acclaim for her antagonist’s role in the second season of Amazon Prime Video series “Family Man,” which began streaming earlier this year. Active in both the Telugu and Tamil language industries, Samantha’s credits include S.S. Rajamouli’s “Eega,” “Super Deluxe,” “Janatha Garage” and “Mersal.”
Samir Sarkar, of Singapore’s Magic Hour Films, has joined the project as executive producer. Sarkar previously produced Rotterdam winner “Nasir,...
The film is to be directed by BAFTA-winning Welsh director Philip John, whose credits include “Downton Abbey” and “The Good Karma Hospital.”
The film is produced by Sunitha Tati’s Indian outfit Guru Films, whose “Oh! Baby,” the 2019 Telugu-language adaptation of 2014 Korean film “Miss Granny,” was a commercial success. “Oh! Baby” starred Samantha, who is known by just her first name.
The actor won much acclaim for her antagonist’s role in the second season of Amazon Prime Video series “Family Man,” which began streaming earlier this year. Active in both the Telugu and Tamil language industries, Samantha’s credits include S.S. Rajamouli’s “Eega,” “Super Deluxe,” “Janatha Garage” and “Mersal.”
Samir Sarkar, of Singapore’s Magic Hour Films, has joined the project as executive producer. Sarkar previously produced Rotterdam winner “Nasir,...
- 11/26/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Propagate Behind Deepa Mehta-Directed ‘Burnt Sugar’
Ben Silverman’s Propagate Content is to produce Deepa Mehta’s adaptation of Avni Doshi’s novel Burnt Sugar, in a deal which was negotiated by Anna Soler-Pont at the Pontas Literary & Film Agency. Based on the story of a dysfunctional mother and daughter in Pune, the book has sold 150,000 copies and was submitted for prominent awards such as the Booker Prize. A London stage adaptation for 2023 is also in the works. Mehta, the Academy Award nominated Indian-Canadian filmmaker has helmed book adaptations previously such as Midnight’s Children and Funny Boy, and is known for trilogy Fire, Earth and Water. For TV, she directed the pilot for acclaimed Apple series Little America and Showtime’s upcoming Yellowjackets. “Depicting complicated human connections are what drive most of my projects and I look forward to delving into the complex, layered and at times surprisingly dark...
Ben Silverman’s Propagate Content is to produce Deepa Mehta’s adaptation of Avni Doshi’s novel Burnt Sugar, in a deal which was negotiated by Anna Soler-Pont at the Pontas Literary & Film Agency. Based on the story of a dysfunctional mother and daughter in Pune, the book has sold 150,000 copies and was submitted for prominent awards such as the Booker Prize. A London stage adaptation for 2023 is also in the works. Mehta, the Academy Award nominated Indian-Canadian filmmaker has helmed book adaptations previously such as Midnight’s Children and Funny Boy, and is known for trilogy Fire, Earth and Water. For TV, she directed the pilot for acclaimed Apple series Little America and Showtime’s upcoming Yellowjackets. “Depicting complicated human connections are what drive most of my projects and I look forward to delving into the complex, layered and at times surprisingly dark...
- 11/5/2021
- by Anuj Radia
- Deadline Film + TV
Celebrated Indo-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta is attached to write and direct the film adaptation of Avni Doshi’s bestselling novel “Burnt Sugar.”
Set in the Indian city of Pune, the novel tells the story of Tara, who after a wild youth, faces challenges when she is older and must rekindle her relationship with her daughter.
Ben Silverman’s Propagate Content has acquired audiovisual rights for the novel and will produce. The deal with Propagate was negotiated by Anna Soler-Pont at the Pontas Literary & Film Agency on behalf of Doshi.
Shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize, and longlisted for the 2021 Women’s Prize, the novel has sold over 150,000 copies worldwide. Translation rights have been sold into 26 languages, including German, French, Spanish, Korean, Russian and Arabic. The Lot Productions have licensed theater rights with an aim to develop a play to premiere in London during their 2023 season. The novel will be adapted by...
Set in the Indian city of Pune, the novel tells the story of Tara, who after a wild youth, faces challenges when she is older and must rekindle her relationship with her daughter.
Ben Silverman’s Propagate Content has acquired audiovisual rights for the novel and will produce. The deal with Propagate was negotiated by Anna Soler-Pont at the Pontas Literary & Film Agency on behalf of Doshi.
Shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize, and longlisted for the 2021 Women’s Prize, the novel has sold over 150,000 copies worldwide. Translation rights have been sold into 26 languages, including German, French, Spanish, Korean, Russian and Arabic. The Lot Productions have licensed theater rights with an aim to develop a play to premiere in London during their 2023 season. The novel will be adapted by...
- 11/5/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Tathagat(Mubi)
Starring Harish Khanna, Ghanshayam Lalsa, Himanshu Bhandari
Written & Directed by Manav Kaul
Tathagat as the title suggests, is a meditative melancholic mood-piece on mortality. It is suffused with ideas and ruminations on the quality of life. But clearly the restless disjointed thought-processes do not culminate in any definitive cogent perceptions on the question that haunts the protagonist: what makes life worth living, if not memories?
Harish Khanna whom I’ve seen in powerful but mostly grey peripheral roles, is as grey as they come in this film. He is worshipped as a messiah of sorts in the Himalayan hamlet where the plot nestles uneasily. But Baba(as he is addressed by his disciples) is clearly not the committed godman that he is taken to be.
He has a guilty secret in his past which keeps raring its head like some of kind of a sinfully catchy tune that...
Starring Harish Khanna, Ghanshayam Lalsa, Himanshu Bhandari
Written & Directed by Manav Kaul
Tathagat as the title suggests, is a meditative melancholic mood-piece on mortality. It is suffused with ideas and ruminations on the quality of life. But clearly the restless disjointed thought-processes do not culminate in any definitive cogent perceptions on the question that haunts the protagonist: what makes life worth living, if not memories?
Harish Khanna whom I’ve seen in powerful but mostly grey peripheral roles, is as grey as they come in this film. He is worshipped as a messiah of sorts in the Himalayan hamlet where the plot nestles uneasily. But Baba(as he is addressed by his disciples) is clearly not the committed godman that he is taken to be.
He has a guilty secret in his past which keeps raring its head like some of kind of a sinfully catchy tune that...
- 10/29/2021
- by Subhash K Jha
- Bollyspice
The festival has learned of one confirmed case of Covid-19 amongst its attendees to the opening ceremony.
The 26th Busan International Film Festival (Biff) wrapped today (October 15) with Wang Er Zhuo’s Chinese film Farewell, My Hometown and Kim Se-in’s Korean title The Apartment With Two Women winning the two New Currents awards.
The latter film picked up four other awards including actress of the year for Im Jee-ho.
The socially-distanced festival, which required Pcr tests and/or proof of full vaccination from guests, learned of one confirmed case of Covid-19 amongst its attendees to the opening ceremony, October...
The 26th Busan International Film Festival (Biff) wrapped today (October 15) with Wang Er Zhuo’s Chinese film Farewell, My Hometown and Kim Se-in’s Korean title The Apartment With Two Women winning the two New Currents awards.
The latter film picked up four other awards including actress of the year for Im Jee-ho.
The socially-distanced festival, which required Pcr tests and/or proof of full vaccination from guests, learned of one confirmed case of Covid-19 amongst its attendees to the opening ceremony, October...
- 10/15/2021
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
One quoted William Shakespeare and Bertolt Brecht. Another spoke of paradigm shifts in cinema. While a third said that the festival has become a successful springboard for Asian films. Jurors for the New Currents competition section of the Busan International Film Festival were in high spirits on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Knn Theater, Korean film directors Jang Joon-hwan (“Save The Green Planet”) Jeong Jae-eun (“Take Care of My Cat”) and Berlin festival programmer Cristina Nord, discussed the criteria they would use for judging the films, the post-pandemic filmmaking environment and their hopes for the future. Jury president, Canada-based Indian director Deepa Mehta joined them remotely from home.
The festival’s New Current Award is given to the two best feature films by emerging Asian directors presenting their first or second feature. in the New Currents section. The two winners receive $30,000.
Jang said that “the film...
Speaking at a press conference held at the Knn Theater, Korean film directors Jang Joon-hwan (“Save The Green Planet”) Jeong Jae-eun (“Take Care of My Cat”) and Berlin festival programmer Cristina Nord, discussed the criteria they would use for judging the films, the post-pandemic filmmaking environment and their hopes for the future. Jury president, Canada-based Indian director Deepa Mehta joined them remotely from home.
The festival’s New Current Award is given to the two best feature films by emerging Asian directors presenting their first or second feature. in the New Currents section. The two winners receive $30,000.
Jang said that “the film...
- 10/7/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
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