She says he never left. That snatches of him keep coming back, reminding her that those we love leave a part of them with us. But writer Sutapa Sikdar, wife of late actor Irrfan also says that these days when she takes two steps forward, something pushes her back. That life’s chronology seems to have altered, and time moves with an erratic rhythm.
“He was not just my husband. Our relationship began with friendship and he stayed my best buddy. A partner of 30 years… how do you deal with that loss? It has been more than three years but… I was never prepared but then we never are,” she told Ians.
A National School of Drama (Nsd) graduate who began her career with Govind Nihlani, Sikdar who was at the recently concluded Jaipur Literature Festival (Jlf) to be part of the session “Irrfan: A Life in Movies” and has...
“He was not just my husband. Our relationship began with friendship and he stayed my best buddy. A partner of 30 years… how do you deal with that loss? It has been more than three years but… I was never prepared but then we never are,” she told Ians.
A National School of Drama (Nsd) graduate who began her career with Govind Nihlani, Sikdar who was at the recently concluded Jaipur Literature Festival (Jlf) to be part of the session “Irrfan: A Life in Movies” and has...
- 2/8/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Celebrated Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap was in vintage free, frank and forthright form at a masterclass in Toronto on Sunday.
“I have a massive problem with authority and authority has problems with me,” was one of the many nuggets from Kashyap, whose very first film “Paanch” (2003) was banned in India and whose subsequent work has been the subject of domestic scrutiny while being celebrated both at home and globally.
Kashyap’s cop noir “Kennedy,” which had its world premiere at Cannes earlier this year, is on an extended festival run. It opened the 12th edition of Bmo International Film Festival of South Asia (Iffsa), where he delivered the masterclass. Kashyap was in conversation with festival patron, acclaimed filmmaker Anup Singh (“The Song of Scorpions”). Unlike masterclasses that look back at the filmmaker’s oeuvre, Singh chose instead to look at the broad themes that have informed Kashyap’s work over...
“I have a massive problem with authority and authority has problems with me,” was one of the many nuggets from Kashyap, whose very first film “Paanch” (2003) was banned in India and whose subsequent work has been the subject of domestic scrutiny while being celebrated both at home and globally.
Kashyap’s cop noir “Kennedy,” which had its world premiere at Cannes earlier this year, is on an extended festival run. It opened the 12th edition of Bmo International Film Festival of South Asia (Iffsa), where he delivered the masterclass. Kashyap was in conversation with festival patron, acclaimed filmmaker Anup Singh (“The Song of Scorpions”). Unlike masterclasses that look back at the filmmaker’s oeuvre, Singh chose instead to look at the broad themes that have informed Kashyap’s work over...
- 10/17/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Revered Indian actor Waheeda Rehman has been accorded the Dadasaheb Phalke award, India’s highest film honor.
The award is given for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema and is named after Phalke, director of “Raja Harischandra” (1913), India’s first full-length feature, who is considered the father of Indian cinema.
Rehman, the 85-year-old grande dame of Indian cinema has worked with most of the legendary filmmakers of her country during her career and the roles she chose were in films that are considered classics in the annals of Indian cinema. She worked with Guru Dutt in “Pyaasa” (1957) and “Kaagaz Ke Phool” (1959), Satyajit Ray in “Abhijaan” (1962), Basu Bhattacharya in “Teesri Kasam” (1966) and Yash Chopra in “Kabhie Kabhie” (1976), among many other memorable roles.
But it is her role as Rosie in Vijay Anand’s “Guide” (1965) that Rehman remembers with the greatest fondness. “When I signed ‘Guide’ more than 50 years ago, my friends told...
The award is given for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema and is named after Phalke, director of “Raja Harischandra” (1913), India’s first full-length feature, who is considered the father of Indian cinema.
Rehman, the 85-year-old grande dame of Indian cinema has worked with most of the legendary filmmakers of her country during her career and the roles she chose were in films that are considered classics in the annals of Indian cinema. She worked with Guru Dutt in “Pyaasa” (1957) and “Kaagaz Ke Phool” (1959), Satyajit Ray in “Abhijaan” (1962), Basu Bhattacharya in “Teesri Kasam” (1966) and Yash Chopra in “Kabhie Kabhie” (1976), among many other memorable roles.
But it is her role as Rosie in Vijay Anand’s “Guide” (1965) that Rehman remembers with the greatest fondness. “When I signed ‘Guide’ more than 50 years ago, my friends told...
- 9/26/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Festival
Anurag Kashyap, Sunny Leone, Taapsee Pannu, Rahul Bhat, Ranjan Singh, Anup Singh, Don Palathara, and Sami Khan are among the guest list at the 12th edition of Bmo International Film Festival of South Asia (Iffsa), Toronto (Oct. 12-22).
With a lineup of some 120 films and more than 30 events, Iffsa is among the largest South Asian-themed festivals in the world. Selections include Cannes duo – Kashyap’s “Kennedy,” starring Leone and Bhat, and Kanu Behl’s “Agra,” Laetitia Colombani’s “The Braid” starring Kim Raver (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and Berlin selections “Ghaath” by Chhatrapal Ninawe and “Aatmapamphlet” by Ashish Bende. From Rotterdam, Palathara’s “Family,” starring Vinay Forrt and Devashish Makhija’s “Joram,” headlined by Manoj Bajpayee, feature alongside Jagath Manuwarna’s Sri Lankan film “Whispering Mountains.”
Acclaimed Bangladesh series “Pett Kata Shaw” will feature as will Canadian Bengali-language production “Meghna Konnya” by Fuad Chowdhury, Atul Sabharwal’s Hindi-language “Berlin” and Osman...
Anurag Kashyap, Sunny Leone, Taapsee Pannu, Rahul Bhat, Ranjan Singh, Anup Singh, Don Palathara, and Sami Khan are among the guest list at the 12th edition of Bmo International Film Festival of South Asia (Iffsa), Toronto (Oct. 12-22).
With a lineup of some 120 films and more than 30 events, Iffsa is among the largest South Asian-themed festivals in the world. Selections include Cannes duo – Kashyap’s “Kennedy,” starring Leone and Bhat, and Kanu Behl’s “Agra,” Laetitia Colombani’s “The Braid” starring Kim Raver (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and Berlin selections “Ghaath” by Chhatrapal Ninawe and “Aatmapamphlet” by Ashish Bende. From Rotterdam, Palathara’s “Family,” starring Vinay Forrt and Devashish Makhija’s “Joram,” headlined by Manoj Bajpayee, feature alongside Jagath Manuwarna’s Sri Lankan film “Whispering Mountains.”
Acclaimed Bangladesh series “Pett Kata Shaw” will feature as will Canadian Bengali-language production “Meghna Konnya” by Fuad Chowdhury, Atul Sabharwal’s Hindi-language “Berlin” and Osman...
- 8/30/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The Song Of Scorpions
Starring Irrfan Khan, Golshifteh Farahani, Waheeda Rehman, Shashank Arora
Written & Directed by Anup Singh
Luckily for us and posterity, Irrfan Khan’s final film is an exquisite piece of cinema. Enchanting to view, gorgeous in feel, The Song Of Scorpions is an enigmatic parable set to the tune of a cinematic rhythm by a master craftsman.
I’ve been a fan of Anup Singh’s cinema since Qissa where Irrfan was a Sikh father hellbent on proving his daughter to be a son. In many ways in The Song Of Scorpions Irrfan plays a distant cousin to his character in Qissa. His camel-plying hero Aadam is a mulishly stubborn man driven to obsessive self-destructive lengths by his passion for a stunning resolute woman of the deserts(Iranian beauty Golshifteh Farahani) who sings to scorpions. And there lies the sting.
This is a film that addresses the...
Starring Irrfan Khan, Golshifteh Farahani, Waheeda Rehman, Shashank Arora
Written & Directed by Anup Singh
Luckily for us and posterity, Irrfan Khan’s final film is an exquisite piece of cinema. Enchanting to view, gorgeous in feel, The Song Of Scorpions is an enigmatic parable set to the tune of a cinematic rhythm by a master craftsman.
I’ve been a fan of Anup Singh’s cinema since Qissa where Irrfan was a Sikh father hellbent on proving his daughter to be a son. In many ways in The Song Of Scorpions Irrfan plays a distant cousin to his character in Qissa. His camel-plying hero Aadam is a mulishly stubborn man driven to obsessive self-destructive lengths by his passion for a stunning resolute woman of the deserts(Iranian beauty Golshifteh Farahani) who sings to scorpions. And there lies the sting.
This is a film that addresses the...
- 4/28/2023
- by Subhash K Jha
- Bollyspice
EntertainmentIrrfan essays the role of a camel trader in ‘The Song of Scorpions’, which is said to be a story of twisted love, revenge, and the redemptive power of a song.YouTube / Panorama StudiosThe Song of Scorpions, which marks the late actor Irrfan Khan's final performance, will be released in theatres on April 28 after doing rounds at multiple film festivals. Set in Jaisalmer's Thar desert, the film features Iranian-French actress Golshifteh Farahani opposite Irrfan, with Waheeda Rehman, Shashank Arora, and Tillotama Shome in strong supporting roles. The trailer of the film was unveiled today on digital platforms. The film is written and directed by Anup Singh who made the critically acclaimed Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost with Irrfan earlier. Irrfan essays the role of a camel trader in The Song of Scorpions, which is said to be a story of twisted love, revenge, and the redemptive power of a song.
- 4/19/2023
- by AjayR
- The News Minute
Distribution
“The Song of Scorpions,” starring Irrfan Khan, Golshifteh Farahani and Waheeda Rehman, written and directed by Anup Singh, will be released in India by Panorama Films and 70mm Talkies on April 28. The film’s release in India was withheld due to the pandemic in 2021.
“The Song of Scorpions” is a story of twisted love, revenge and the redemptive power of a song. Nooran, carefree and defiantly independent, is a tribal woman learning the ancient art of healing from her grandmother, a revered scorpion-singer. When Aadam, a camel trader in the Rajasthan desert, hears her sing, he falls desperately in love. But even before they can get to know each other better, Nooran is poisoned by a treachery that sets her on a perilous journey to avenge herself and find her song.
The film had its world premiere at Locarno in 2017 and had festival play at Rotterdam, London, Singapore and Dubai among many others.
“The Song of Scorpions,” starring Irrfan Khan, Golshifteh Farahani and Waheeda Rehman, written and directed by Anup Singh, will be released in India by Panorama Films and 70mm Talkies on April 28. The film’s release in India was withheld due to the pandemic in 2021.
“The Song of Scorpions” is a story of twisted love, revenge and the redemptive power of a song. Nooran, carefree and defiantly independent, is a tribal woman learning the ancient art of healing from her grandmother, a revered scorpion-singer. When Aadam, a camel trader in the Rajasthan desert, hears her sing, he falls desperately in love. But even before they can get to know each other better, Nooran is poisoned by a treachery that sets her on a perilous journey to avenge herself and find her song.
The film had its world premiere at Locarno in 2017 and had festival play at Rotterdam, London, Singapore and Dubai among many others.
- 4/19/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Irrfan Khan’s swansong, ‘The Song of Scorpions’, will open on April 28 theatrically, as a salute to the great actor who passed away on April 29, 2020. Presented by Panorama Spotlight and 70mm Talkies, it’s A Feather Light Films and Knm Production. The film set in Jaisalmer’s Thar desert, features Iranian-French actress Golshifteh Farahani opposite Irrfan Khan, with Waheeda Rehman, Shashank Arora and Tillotama Shome in strong supporting roles.
The film is written and directed by Anup Singh who made the critically acclaimed ‘Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost’ with Irrfan earlier. The trailer of the film was unveiled today on digital platforms.
The Swiss, French, Singaporean co-production premiered at the Locarno International Film Festival to rave reviews. After doing the rounds of several prestigious film festivals and winning numerous awards and applause, it brings Irrfan back to the screen next Friday.
The film is shot at breathtaking landscapes...
The film is written and directed by Anup Singh who made the critically acclaimed ‘Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost’ with Irrfan earlier. The trailer of the film was unveiled today on digital platforms.
The Swiss, French, Singaporean co-production premiered at the Locarno International Film Festival to rave reviews. After doing the rounds of several prestigious film festivals and winning numerous awards and applause, it brings Irrfan back to the screen next Friday.
The film is shot at breathtaking landscapes...
- 4/19/2023
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
Book
“Irrfan: Dialogues with the Wind,” a book about the experiences of Geneva-based filmmaker Anup Singh who directed the late Indian actor Irrfan Khan in two acclaimed films — “Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost” (2013) and “The Song of Scorpions” (2017) — will be published by Copper Coin on Feb. 14. Khan, India’s then best-known actor globally with credits including “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008) “Life of Pi” (2012) and “The Lunchbox” (2013), died in 2020. The book was revealed on Jan. 7, on what would have been Khan’s 54th birthday.
In the book, Singh offers an intimate glimpse into the working relationship between a director and an actor as they trudge through mutual wariness, uncertainties, and blunders and during the course of the journey reveals an insight into the creative processes of both artists. The duo had a third project planned together — “Lasya” — before the actor was taken ill.
The book has a foreword by Indian cinema legend Amitabh Bachchan,...
“Irrfan: Dialogues with the Wind,” a book about the experiences of Geneva-based filmmaker Anup Singh who directed the late Indian actor Irrfan Khan in two acclaimed films — “Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost” (2013) and “The Song of Scorpions” (2017) — will be published by Copper Coin on Feb. 14. Khan, India’s then best-known actor globally with credits including “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008) “Life of Pi” (2012) and “The Lunchbox” (2013), died in 2020. The book was revealed on Jan. 7, on what would have been Khan’s 54th birthday.
In the book, Singh offers an intimate glimpse into the working relationship between a director and an actor as they trudge through mutual wariness, uncertainties, and blunders and during the course of the journey reveals an insight into the creative processes of both artists. The duo had a third project planned together — “Lasya” — before the actor was taken ill.
The book has a foreword by Indian cinema legend Amitabh Bachchan,...
- 1/7/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exactly a month before the world premiere of Abhinandan Banerjee‘s “The Cloud & the Man” in the First Feature competition of PÖFF, it was announced that the U.S. sales agent Outsider Pictures had boarded it. After its screening in Tallinn, it is safe to say that the film has a good chance of winning further international audiences, if not in physical theaters outside the film festivals, than most certainly on diverse VOD platforms.
PÖFF
Baneerjee’s debut is a remarkably well-written and executed film which stands out for its unique representation of loneliness with little words invested. Black & white photography, in recent years over-used in just about any film that hints at ‘art’, makes perfect sense in “The Cloud & The Man”. The world of its main protagonist, the middle-aged Manikbabu (Chandan Sen) is literally colourless, and his days unfold in exactly the same rhythm: desk job with a mountain of paperwork,...
PÖFF
Baneerjee’s debut is a remarkably well-written and executed film which stands out for its unique representation of loneliness with little words invested. Black & white photography, in recent years over-used in just about any film that hints at ‘art’, makes perfect sense in “The Cloud & The Man”. The world of its main protagonist, the middle-aged Manikbabu (Chandan Sen) is literally colourless, and his days unfold in exactly the same rhythm: desk job with a mountain of paperwork,...
- 12/10/2021
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
Jasmila Zbanic’s “Quo Vadis, Aida?,” the Bosnia and Herzegovina entry in the Academy Awards’ international feature category, will open the 25th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (Iffk).
Mira Nair will deliver the annual G. Aravindan memorial lecture, an event named for the pioneering filmmaker from the south Indian state of Kerala who died in 1991. Auteur Jean-Luc Godard will receive the lifetime achievement award, and participate in an online Q&a.
Along with the Mumbai Film Festival, the International Film Festival of India, Goa, the Dharamshala International Film Festival and the Kolkata International Film Festival, Iffk is one of the most respected film festivals in India. It is organized by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy on behalf of the cultural department of the government of Kerala.
The festival was forced to move from its usual early December slot because of the coronavirus pandemic. It will now take place in Thiruvananthapuram,...
Mira Nair will deliver the annual G. Aravindan memorial lecture, an event named for the pioneering filmmaker from the south Indian state of Kerala who died in 1991. Auteur Jean-Luc Godard will receive the lifetime achievement award, and participate in an online Q&a.
Along with the Mumbai Film Festival, the International Film Festival of India, Goa, the Dharamshala International Film Festival and the Kolkata International Film Festival, Iffk is one of the most respected film festivals in India. It is organized by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy on behalf of the cultural department of the government of Kerala.
The festival was forced to move from its usual early December slot because of the coronavirus pandemic. It will now take place in Thiruvananthapuram,...
- 1/28/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
In its first year of establishment, Panorama Spotlight along with 70 Mm Talkies is all set to bring a Feather Light Films and Knm production entitled, ‘The Song of Scorpions’ , which is the final work of the late legendary actor, Irrfan Khan. The banners offer a golden chance to witness the mesmerizing performance of the actor on the big screen one last time.
Directed by Anup Singh, the Irrfan Khan-starrer is an empowering drama that revolves around an independent young tribal woman, who tries to overcome a brutal betrayal so as to find her voice. One of the prime highlights of the upcoming film is that the actor will be seen in a memorable role.
Talking about the film and Irrfan’s performance the director told BollySpice in an earlier interview, “Let me give you an example that I think that will show very clearly how he works and why I...
Directed by Anup Singh, the Irrfan Khan-starrer is an empowering drama that revolves around an independent young tribal woman, who tries to overcome a brutal betrayal so as to find her voice. One of the prime highlights of the upcoming film is that the actor will be seen in a memorable role.
Talking about the film and Irrfan’s performance the director told BollySpice in an earlier interview, “Let me give you an example that I think that will show very clearly how he works and why I...
- 12/31/2020
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Mumbai, Dec 28 (Ians) The Song Of Scorpions, the last film of late actor Irrfan Khan, will release on the big screen in early 2021.
Directed by Anup Singh, the drama revolves around an independent young tribal woman, who tries to overcome a brutal betrayal so as to find her voice. Irrfan, who died in April this year, will be seen in the role of a camel trader.
Also featuring Waheeda Rehman and Iranian star Golshifteh Farahani, the film had its world premiere at the 70th Locarno Film Festival in 2017.
"‘The Song Of Scorpions' is a special story and it is truly an honour for us to present Irrfan Khan's final performance in it. We will be offering this film to the audiences as a tribute to the beloved star of Indian cinema," said Abhishek Pathak of Panorama Spotlight, one of the producers of the film.
"We feel blessed that we are...
Directed by Anup Singh, the drama revolves around an independent young tribal woman, who tries to overcome a brutal betrayal so as to find her voice. Irrfan, who died in April this year, will be seen in the role of a camel trader.
Also featuring Waheeda Rehman and Iranian star Golshifteh Farahani, the film had its world premiere at the 70th Locarno Film Festival in 2017.
"‘The Song Of Scorpions' is a special story and it is truly an honour for us to present Irrfan Khan's final performance in it. We will be offering this film to the audiences as a tribute to the beloved star of Indian cinema," said Abhishek Pathak of Panorama Spotlight, one of the producers of the film.
"We feel blessed that we are...
- 12/28/2020
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
Sky has acquired “The Secret Garden” from Studiocanal and will release the film in U.K. and Ireland cinemas and Sky Cinema channels on Oct. 23.
Directed by three-time BAFTA winner Marc Munden (“National Treasure”) and produced by David Heyman (“Harry Potter” franchise) and Rosie Alison (“Paddington”), “The Secret Garden” is an adaptation of the classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It stars Dixie Egerickx (“Summerland”), Oscar and BAFTA winner Colin Firth (“The King’s Speech”) and BAFTA winner Julie Walters (“Mamma Mia”).
Set in 1940s England, “The Secret Garden” tells the story of a 10-year-old girl, sent to live with her uncle at a remote country estate deep in the Yorkshire moors, who begins to uncover many family secrets, particularly a wondrous garden with healing powers.
The film was originally due to release in April and then moved to August.
Distribution
Picturehouse Entertainment and Element Distribution will distribute “The Iron Lady...
Directed by three-time BAFTA winner Marc Munden (“National Treasure”) and produced by David Heyman (“Harry Potter” franchise) and Rosie Alison (“Paddington”), “The Secret Garden” is an adaptation of the classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It stars Dixie Egerickx (“Summerland”), Oscar and BAFTA winner Colin Firth (“The King’s Speech”) and BAFTA winner Julie Walters (“Mamma Mia”).
Set in 1940s England, “The Secret Garden” tells the story of a 10-year-old girl, sent to live with her uncle at a remote country estate deep in the Yorkshire moors, who begins to uncover many family secrets, particularly a wondrous garden with healing powers.
The film was originally due to release in April and then moved to August.
Distribution
Picturehouse Entertainment and Element Distribution will distribute “The Iron Lady...
- 8/4/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Pushpendra Singh’s ’The Shepherdess And The Seven Songs’ won the Vkaao Wip Lab Award.
Natesh Hegde’s Pedro and Ajitpal Singh’s Swizerland were presented with the Prasad Lab Di Award and Moviebuff Appreciation Award at the close of Film Bazaar, organised by India’s National Film Development Corporation (Nfdc), on Sunday night.
The two projects were selected from the five that participated in Film Bazaar’s Work-in-Progress (Wip) Lab. Prasad Lab Di and Moviebuff Appreciation Awards were also presented to one incomplete project in the Film Bazaar Recommends section – Where Is Pinki?, from Prithvi Konanur.
The awards include...
Natesh Hegde’s Pedro and Ajitpal Singh’s Swizerland were presented with the Prasad Lab Di Award and Moviebuff Appreciation Award at the close of Film Bazaar, organised by India’s National Film Development Corporation (Nfdc), on Sunday night.
The two projects were selected from the five that participated in Film Bazaar’s Work-in-Progress (Wip) Lab. Prasad Lab Di and Moviebuff Appreciation Awards were also presented to one incomplete project in the Film Bazaar Recommends section – Where Is Pinki?, from Prithvi Konanur.
The awards include...
- 11/25/2019
- ScreenDaily
El Gouna Film Festival’s co-financing platform meted out $250,000 in prizes.
Lebanese directors Ely Dagher and Remi Itani have scooped the official $15,000 top prizes for their respective feature documentary projects Harvest and A Long Breath at the El Gouna Film Festival’s CineGouna SpringBoard co-financing and industry platform in Egypt.
Dagher’s Harvest was presented alongside 12 other projects in development, spanning both fiction and non-fiction.
It follows a young woman who returns to her home city of Beirut after a long time away and reconnects with her old life. It will be Dagher’s first feature after his short film...
Lebanese directors Ely Dagher and Remi Itani have scooped the official $15,000 top prizes for their respective feature documentary projects Harvest and A Long Breath at the El Gouna Film Festival’s CineGouna SpringBoard co-financing and industry platform in Egypt.
Dagher’s Harvest was presented alongside 12 other projects in development, spanning both fiction and non-fiction.
It follows a young woman who returns to her home city of Beirut after a long time away and reconnects with her old life. It will be Dagher’s first feature after his short film...
- 9/27/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
She is one of the most talented actresses in Indian cinema today who always gets completely lost inside her characters. Whether it is Safiya in Manto, Neeti in Delhi Crime Story, Neeli in Qissa, Nutan Yadav in Made In Heaven or Ishrat in Hamid, Rasika Dugal always delivers an outstanding and many times award-winning performance.
To celebrate the success of Hamid, Stacey was able to catch up with Rasika for a fascinating and fun conversation. Check out this in-depth interview where the actress talks of her surprising beginning, the roles she has played, the tears she has cried, and what we will see her in next!
Is acting something you’ve always wanted to do?
No, actually I pretty much fell upon it by chance. I had done a little bit of theatre while I was a student of Mathematics in a college in Delhi, but I never considered it...
To celebrate the success of Hamid, Stacey was able to catch up with Rasika for a fascinating and fun conversation. Check out this in-depth interview where the actress talks of her surprising beginning, the roles she has played, the tears she has cried, and what we will see her in next!
Is acting something you’ve always wanted to do?
No, actually I pretty much fell upon it by chance. I had done a little bit of theatre while I was a student of Mathematics in a college in Delhi, but I never considered it...
- 6/12/2019
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
British comedy “Eaten By Lions” has won the top prize at the 9th Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival in London, Birmingham and Manchester, the UK and Europe’s largest platform of independent cinema from the Indian subcontinent. The festival is title sponsored by the Bagri Foundation who share our passion for Asian arts and culture, with major support from Grange Hotels, Integrity International Trust and Sun Mark Ltd, and is funded by grant support from the BFI’s National Lottery Audience Fund.
LIFFs annual Audience Award for Best Film went to British comedy “Eaten By Lion”. The director Jason Wingard says: “We’re delighted to win this fantastic award. “Eaten By Lions” is a modern relevant comedy dealing with contemporary issues such as diversity and disability, but ultimately captures that life is about relationships and people, and we’re so pleased audiences are connecting with it. It was fantastic...
LIFFs annual Audience Award for Best Film went to British comedy “Eaten By Lion”. The director Jason Wingard says: “We’re delighted to win this fantastic award. “Eaten By Lions” is a modern relevant comedy dealing with contemporary issues such as diversity and disability, but ultimately captures that life is about relationships and people, and we’re so pleased audiences are connecting with it. It was fantastic...
- 6/30/2018
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Another successful year for the London Indian Film Festival (Liff), with a great collection of films all vying for the ultimate accolade, to be crowned the audience’s favourite movie. Despite some stiff competition, the winner of the Audience Award for Best Film at the festival was Eaten by Lions – a British comedy about two half-brothers who are brought up by their grandma, after their parents are accidentally killed by lions in a safari park. Set in Bradford, the story then follows the aftermath of their Gran’s sudden death which leaves the teenagers looking for family to take them in.
The director of Eaten by Lions, Jason Wingard said, “We’re delighted to win this fantastic award. Eaten By Lions is a modern, relevant comedy dealing with contemporary issues such as diversity and disability, but ultimately captures that life is about relationships and people, and we’re so pleased audiences are connecting with it.
The director of Eaten by Lions, Jason Wingard said, “We’re delighted to win this fantastic award. Eaten By Lions is a modern, relevant comedy dealing with contemporary issues such as diversity and disability, but ultimately captures that life is about relationships and people, and we’re so pleased audiences are connecting with it.
- 6/30/2018
- by Jonathan Howell
- Bollyspice
Set within the deep desert landscapes of rural Rajasthan, is the poetic tale of The Song Of Scorpions. Starring Irrfan Khan and Golshifteh Farahani (About Elly) and with a cameo by the legendary actress Waheeda Rehman, this Anup Singh directed film is being showcased at the London Indian Film Festival.
To set the stage for our tale, here is the trailer:
In a brilliant and inspiring conversation, Mr. Singh talks about the creation of this beautiful film, working with Irrfan Khan, and, more than anything, leaves you with some beauty for the world.
The Dream
In the last 10-15 years there has been a growing violence against women in India of quite a horrific kind. When I was shooting my last film, Qissa, there was an attack on a woman on a public bus in Delhi. It was such a brutal and violent attack that I think it had a...
To set the stage for our tale, here is the trailer:
In a brilliant and inspiring conversation, Mr. Singh talks about the creation of this beautiful film, working with Irrfan Khan, and, more than anything, leaves you with some beauty for the world.
The Dream
In the last 10-15 years there has been a growing violence against women in India of quite a horrific kind. When I was shooting my last film, Qissa, there was an attack on a woman on a public bus in Delhi. It was such a brutal and violent attack that I think it had a...
- 6/22/2018
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
A "scorpion singer" from the Rajasthan desert is pursued by a particularly tenacious camel trader in The Song of Scorpions, the third feature from Switzerland-based British filmmaker Anup Singh (Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost). After making films in Bengali and Punjabi, this myth-like fairy tale — albeit one with some incongruous-feeling modern touches — was filmed in Hindi, though Singh has again cast his Qissa star, Rajasthan-born Irrfan Khan (Life of Pi, The Lunchbox), as the male lead.
France-based Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani (About Elly, Paterson) plays the equally determined female protagonist, which should help to slightly broaden its...
France-based Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani (About Elly, Paterson) plays the equally determined female protagonist, which should help to slightly broaden its...
- 8/9/2017
- by Boyd van Hoeij
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Rajasthan-set drama will receive its world premiere at the upcoming Locarno film festival.
The Match Factory has picked up international rights to Anup Singh’s third film, The Song Of Scorpions, which will receive its world premiere in a Piazza Grande screening at the upcoming Locarno film festival.
Starring Golshifteh Farahani and Irrfan Khan, the film follows a carefree, independent tribal woman who is learning the ancient art of healing from her grandmother, a revered scorpion-singer.
A camel trader in the Rajasthan desert hears her sing and falls in love, but before they get to know each other, she is poisoned by a treachery that sets her on a perilous journey to avenge herself and find her song.
Produced by Swiss production company Feather Light Films, founded by Saskia Vischer and Shahaf Peled, and Michel Merkt’s Monaco-based Knm, the Swiss-French-Singapore co-production also stars Waheeda Rehman, Shashank Arora and Tillotama Shome.
It was produced...
The Match Factory has picked up international rights to Anup Singh’s third film, The Song Of Scorpions, which will receive its world premiere in a Piazza Grande screening at the upcoming Locarno film festival.
Starring Golshifteh Farahani and Irrfan Khan, the film follows a carefree, independent tribal woman who is learning the ancient art of healing from her grandmother, a revered scorpion-singer.
A camel trader in the Rajasthan desert hears her sing and falls in love, but before they get to know each other, she is poisoned by a treachery that sets her on a perilous journey to avenge herself and find her song.
Produced by Swiss production company Feather Light Films, founded by Saskia Vischer and Shahaf Peled, and Michel Merkt’s Monaco-based Knm, the Swiss-French-Singapore co-production also stars Waheeda Rehman, Shashank Arora and Tillotama Shome.
It was produced...
- 8/2/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Director’s latest film Wonderstruck will screen at the festival.
Todd Haynes will receive an honorary award at this year’s Locarno Film Festival (Aug 2-12).
The director, screenwriter and producer will collect the Pardo d’Onore Manor prize on Monday, Aug. 7. The festival will also screen his upcoming film Wonderstruck alongside Poison, which first appeared at Locarno in 1991.
Wonderstruck stars Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams and Millicent Simmonds and competed for the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Haynes’ previous films include Far From Heaven, Carol and I’m Not There.
Poison screens in the Locarno70 sidebar, which celebrates the 70-year history of the festival.
Carlo Chatrian, artistic director of the Locarno Festival, said: “In his seven feature films to date Todd Haynes has shaped out an original universe in which his familiarity with U.S. and European cinema, his passion for the films of Sirk and Fassbinder, go hand in...
Todd Haynes will receive an honorary award at this year’s Locarno Film Festival (Aug 2-12).
The director, screenwriter and producer will collect the Pardo d’Onore Manor prize on Monday, Aug. 7. The festival will also screen his upcoming film Wonderstruck alongside Poison, which first appeared at Locarno in 1991.
Wonderstruck stars Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams and Millicent Simmonds and competed for the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Haynes’ previous films include Far From Heaven, Carol and I’m Not There.
Poison screens in the Locarno70 sidebar, which celebrates the 70-year history of the festival.
Carlo Chatrian, artistic director of the Locarno Festival, said: “In his seven feature films to date Todd Haynes has shaped out an original universe in which his familiarity with U.S. and European cinema, his passion for the films of Sirk and Fassbinder, go hand in...
- 7/18/2017
- by orlando.parfitt@screendaily.com (Orlando Parfitt)
- ScreenDaily
The summer movie season may start winding down by early August, but for cinephiles, that’s when the real fun begins. While the fall season festivals — epitomized by the trio of awards season influencers Telluride, Toronto and New York — are a massive platform for major prestige titles at the end of the year, the Locarno Film Festival has the jump on all of them, and provides the most diverse range of cinema you’ll see anywhere in the world.
The 70th edition, announced this week, provides the latest example. No festival embodies the “something for everyone” philosophy better than Locarno, which complements its cinephile-oriented sections with another one exclusively designed for wider audiences. That would be the Piazza Grande, where 16 features screen outdoors for an audience of 8,000 people. But rather than simply showcasing the same summer blockbusters that have dominated the box office, the Piazza features international efforts well suited to pleasing massive crowds,...
The 70th edition, announced this week, provides the latest example. No festival embodies the “something for everyone” philosophy better than Locarno, which complements its cinephile-oriented sections with another one exclusively designed for wider audiences. That would be the Piazza Grande, where 16 features screen outdoors for an audience of 8,000 people. But rather than simply showcasing the same summer blockbusters that have dominated the box office, the Piazza features international efforts well suited to pleasing massive crowds,...
- 7/15/2017
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Ben & Joshua Safdie's Good TimeThe lineup for the 2017 festival has been revealed, including new films by Wang Bing, Radu Jude, Raúl Ruiz and others, alongside retrospectives and tributes dedicated to Jean-Marie Straub, Jacques Tourneur and much more.Piazza GRANDEAmori che non sonno stare al mondo (Francesca Comencini, Italy)Atomic Blonde (David Leitch, USA)Chien (Samuel Benchetrit, France/Belgium)Demain et tous les autres jours (Noémie Lvovsky, France)Drei Zinnen (Jan Zabeil, Germany/Italy)Good Time (Ben & Joshua Safdie, USA)Gotthard - One Life, One Soul (Kevin Merz, Switzerland)I Walked with a Zombie (Jacques Tourneur, USA)Iceman (Felix Randau, Germany/Italy/Austria)Laissez bronzer les cadavres (Hélène Cattet & Bruno Forzani, Belgium/France)Lola Pater (Nadir Moknèche, France/Belgium)Sicilia! (Jean-Marie Straub & Danièle Huillet, Italy/France/Germany)Sparring (Samuel Jouy, France)The Big Sick (Michael Showalter, USA)The Song of Scorpions (Anup Singh, Switzerland/France/Singapore)What Happed to Monday (Tommy Wirkola,...
- 7/12/2017
- MUBI
Atomic Blonde, The Big Sick, The Song Of Scorpions among line-up.
The line-up for the 70th Locarno Festival (Aug 2-12) in Switzerland has been announced.
Scroll down for the full line-up
The 16-strong Piazza Grande strand features 11 world premieres, including opening night film Tomorrow And Every Other Day directed by Noemie Lvovsky and starring Mathieu Amalric, and closing night music doc Gotthard - One Life, One Soul, about the swiss rock band.
Other Piazza Grande films include Atomic Blonde with Charlize Theron, Good Time starring Robert Pattinson, Kumail Nanjiani’s The Big Sick, What Happened to Monday? with Glenn Close and the world premiere of Anup Singh’s The Song of Scorpions, starring Irrfan Khan, who will attend the festival.
Actor and director Mathieu Kassovitz will receive the festival’s 2017 excellence award and Nastassja Kinski will be honoured with a lifetime achievement award.
Michel Merkt (Toni Erdmann, Elle) will receive the festival’s best independent producer award.
As...
The line-up for the 70th Locarno Festival (Aug 2-12) in Switzerland has been announced.
Scroll down for the full line-up
The 16-strong Piazza Grande strand features 11 world premieres, including opening night film Tomorrow And Every Other Day directed by Noemie Lvovsky and starring Mathieu Amalric, and closing night music doc Gotthard - One Life, One Soul, about the swiss rock band.
Other Piazza Grande films include Atomic Blonde with Charlize Theron, Good Time starring Robert Pattinson, Kumail Nanjiani’s The Big Sick, What Happened to Monday? with Glenn Close and the world premiere of Anup Singh’s The Song of Scorpions, starring Irrfan Khan, who will attend the festival.
Actor and director Mathieu Kassovitz will receive the festival’s 2017 excellence award and Nastassja Kinski will be honoured with a lifetime achievement award.
Michel Merkt (Toni Erdmann, Elle) will receive the festival’s best independent producer award.
As...
- 7/12/2017
- by orlando.parfitt@screendaily.com (Orlando Parfitt)
- ScreenDaily
Earlier we had revealed that Irrfan Khan was completing an extensive shoot schedule in Rajasthan for his forthcoming film The Song of Scorpions. Directed by Anup Singh, the film has Irrfan playing the role of a camel trader. In fact, Irrfan Khan who belongs to Rajasthan was more than happy to connect with his rootsRead More
The post Revealed: This is how Irrfan Khan looks in the role of a camel trader in The Song of Scorpions appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
The post Revealed: This is how Irrfan Khan looks in the role of a camel trader in The Song of Scorpions appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
- 7/11/2017
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Exclusive: Film revolves around native American family. Bac Film showing first images in Cannes.
Swiss producer Michel Merkt has boarded Babak Jalali’s upcoming drama Land about a native American family dealing with the scourge of alcoholism and the death of a loved one serving in Afghanistan.
Merkt, whose recent credits include the Oscar-nominated My Life As A Courgette, Xavier Dolan’s It’s Only The End Of The World and Toni Erdmann, has helped close a post-production financing gap.
The deal was begun during the Doha Film Institute’s talent development event Qumra in March, where Land was presented as a work-in-progress. “It’s a great asset for us. Michel’s doing a fantastic job and is behind so many high-quality cinema productions right now,” said lead producer Ginevra Elkann of Rome-based Asmara Films.
The picture is now close to picture lock with Belgian editor Nico Leunen attached and sights set on an autumn festival release...
Swiss producer Michel Merkt has boarded Babak Jalali’s upcoming drama Land about a native American family dealing with the scourge of alcoholism and the death of a loved one serving in Afghanistan.
Merkt, whose recent credits include the Oscar-nominated My Life As A Courgette, Xavier Dolan’s It’s Only The End Of The World and Toni Erdmann, has helped close a post-production financing gap.
The deal was begun during the Doha Film Institute’s talent development event Qumra in March, where Land was presented as a work-in-progress. “It’s a great asset for us. Michel’s doing a fantastic job and is behind so many high-quality cinema productions right now,” said lead producer Ginevra Elkann of Rome-based Asmara Films.
The picture is now close to picture lock with Belgian editor Nico Leunen attached and sights set on an autumn festival release...
- 5/19/2017
- ScreenDaily
Amazon Prime Video secures 97 titles from Indian company.
India’s National Film Development Corp (Nfdc) has sealed catalogue deals with three of the biggest streaming platforms in India: Amazon Prime Video, JioCinema and Hotstar.
The three deals include classics such as Gandhi [pictured], Salaam Bombay! and Mirch Masala, as well as recent titles Qissa: The Tale Of A Lonely Ghost, directed by Anup Singh, and Gyan Correa’s The Good Road.
Amazon Prime Video, which launched in India in late 2016, has acquired non-exclusive worldwide rights to 97 Nfdc titles, while JioCinema and Hotstar have India rights to 94 and 80 titles respectively.
All three platforms have already started onboarding the films.
“Our aim is to work with as many premium platforms as possible to help these classics from revered Indian directors reach a global audience,” said Nfdc head of distribution & syndication Awadhesh Kumar.
India’s National Film Development Corp (Nfdc) has sealed catalogue deals with three of the biggest streaming platforms in India: Amazon Prime Video, JioCinema and Hotstar.
The three deals include classics such as Gandhi [pictured], Salaam Bombay! and Mirch Masala, as well as recent titles Qissa: The Tale Of A Lonely Ghost, directed by Anup Singh, and Gyan Correa’s The Good Road.
Amazon Prime Video, which launched in India in late 2016, has acquired non-exclusive worldwide rights to 97 Nfdc titles, while JioCinema and Hotstar have India rights to 94 and 80 titles respectively.
All three platforms have already started onboarding the films.
“Our aim is to work with as many premium platforms as possible to help these classics from revered Indian directors reach a global audience,” said Nfdc head of distribution & syndication Awadhesh Kumar.
- 3/14/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Screen investigates which films from around the world could launch on the Croisette, including on opening night.
With just over a month to go before the line-up for this year’s Cannes Film Festival is unveiled in Paris, Croisette predictions and wish lists are hitting the web thick and fast.
Screen’s network of correspondents and contributors around the world have been putting out feelers to get a sense of what might or might not make it to the Palais du Cinéma or one of the parallel sections.
Just like the Oscars, this year’s festival is likely to unfold amid a politically-charged atmosphere. Beyond Trump and the rise of populism across the globe, France will be digesting the result of its own presidential election on May 7. Against this background, the festival will be feting its 70th edition.
Below, Screen reveals which titles might - and might not - be in the running for a place at the...
With just over a month to go before the line-up for this year’s Cannes Film Festival is unveiled in Paris, Croisette predictions and wish lists are hitting the web thick and fast.
Screen’s network of correspondents and contributors around the world have been putting out feelers to get a sense of what might or might not make it to the Palais du Cinéma or one of the parallel sections.
Just like the Oscars, this year’s festival is likely to unfold amid a politically-charged atmosphere. Beyond Trump and the rise of populism across the globe, France will be digesting the result of its own presidential election on May 7. Against this background, the festival will be feting its 70th edition.
Below, Screen reveals which titles might - and might not - be in the running for a place at the...
- 3/13/2017
- ScreenDaily
Irrfan Khan, who was last seen in Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon thriller Inferno, is now prepped for his new film The Song of Scorpions. Earlier in 2015, it was reported that Irrfan is doing this film with the actress-musician Golshifteh Farahani. The film is said to be directed by Anup Singh, where Irrfan will be seen playing the role ofRead More
The post Irrfan Khan’s next to feature two songs with live music recording appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
The post Irrfan Khan’s next to feature two songs with live music recording appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
- 1/25/2017
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Venice Production Bridge will incorporate Gap Financing Market and Final Cut events.
The Venice Film Festival (Aug 31 - Sept 10) has revealed the line-ups for its 2016 market events, newly renamed the Venice Production Bridge (Sept 1 - 5).
The Production Bridge will host features, TV, web-series and Vr projects.
Venice’s two-day Gap-Financing Market event (September 2-3, 2016) will host 40 selected European and International projects looking to close their international financing.
The market’s Final Cut strand will award prizes to selected in-the-works projects from Africa and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria, while the inaugural Book Adaptation Rights Area will see publishers pitch books ripe for film or TV adaptation.
The European Commission organises two workshops, one on access to finance (Sept 3) and the other on the future of cinemas (Sept 4). The second event, which will be opened by European Commissioner Oettinger, will focus on how cinemas can fully reap the benefits of digital technologies.
Gap Financing...
The Venice Film Festival (Aug 31 - Sept 10) has revealed the line-ups for its 2016 market events, newly renamed the Venice Production Bridge (Sept 1 - 5).
The Production Bridge will host features, TV, web-series and Vr projects.
Venice’s two-day Gap-Financing Market event (September 2-3, 2016) will host 40 selected European and International projects looking to close their international financing.
The market’s Final Cut strand will award prizes to selected in-the-works projects from Africa and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria, while the inaugural Book Adaptation Rights Area will see publishers pitch books ripe for film or TV adaptation.
The European Commission organises two workshops, one on access to finance (Sept 3) and the other on the future of cinemas (Sept 4). The second event, which will be opened by European Commissioner Oettinger, will focus on how cinemas can fully reap the benefits of digital technologies.
Gap Financing...
- 7/29/2016
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
The Indian company will show the titles, totalling 49, as part of an Nfdc film festival.
India’s National Film Development Corp (Nfdc) has licensed 49 of its library titles to Zee Classic, owned by leading Indian broadcaster Zee Entertainment.
The deal includes classics such as Gandhi [pictured], starring Ben Kingsley, Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay and Ketan Mehta’s Mirch Masala, along with more recent titles such as Anup Singh’s Qissa, which premiered at Toronto in 2013, and Gyan Correa’s The Good Road, India’s official submission to the 2014 Oscars.
Zee Classic is planning to broadcast the titles in an ‘Nfdc film festival’ running for couple of months from July. Nfdc has also licensed a package of titles to India’s Epic channel and is closing deals with Ott platforms.
“Over the past ten years, the Nfdc has introduced 18 first time feature filmmakers in 13 regional languages,” said Nfdc finance director Nazhat J. Shaikh. “We’re...
India’s National Film Development Corp (Nfdc) has licensed 49 of its library titles to Zee Classic, owned by leading Indian broadcaster Zee Entertainment.
The deal includes classics such as Gandhi [pictured], starring Ben Kingsley, Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay and Ketan Mehta’s Mirch Masala, along with more recent titles such as Anup Singh’s Qissa, which premiered at Toronto in 2013, and Gyan Correa’s The Good Road, India’s official submission to the 2014 Oscars.
Zee Classic is planning to broadcast the titles in an ‘Nfdc film festival’ running for couple of months from July. Nfdc has also licensed a package of titles to India’s Epic channel and is closing deals with Ott platforms.
“Over the past ten years, the Nfdc has introduced 18 first time feature filmmakers in 13 regional languages,” said Nfdc finance director Nazhat J. Shaikh. “We’re...
- 5/14/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
It’s become a great breaking in the new year traditional here at Ioncinema.com. We begin our countdown to the our most anticipated foreign films (anything outside the U.S.) with our own Nicholas Bell curating the best bets for 2016. Here are the titles and filmmakers that didn’t make our final Top 100 cut, but are nonetheless “radar” worthy.
101. El Rey del Once – Daniel Burman
102. The Dancer – Stephanie Di Giusto
103. Le Cancre – Paul Vecchiali
104. While the Women are Sleeping – Wayne Wang
105. Tomorrow – Martha Pinson
106. Spring Again – Gael Morel
107. Crowhurst – Simon Rumley
108. Le Garcon – Philippe Lioret *
109. Marie and the Misfits – Sebastien Betbeder
110. Le Caravage – Alain Chevalier
111. Night Song – Raphael Nadjari
112. Réparer les vivants – Katell Quillevere *
113. Project Lazarus – Mateo Gil
114. Afterimages – Andrzej Wajda
115. Don’t Knock Twice – Caradog James
116. Detour – Christopher Smith
117. The Bride of Rip Van Winkle – Shunji Iwai
118. Three on the Road – Johnnie To
119. Le Vin et le Vent...
101. El Rey del Once – Daniel Burman
102. The Dancer – Stephanie Di Giusto
103. Le Cancre – Paul Vecchiali
104. While the Women are Sleeping – Wayne Wang
105. Tomorrow – Martha Pinson
106. Spring Again – Gael Morel
107. Crowhurst – Simon Rumley
108. Le Garcon – Philippe Lioret *
109. Marie and the Misfits – Sebastien Betbeder
110. Le Caravage – Alain Chevalier
111. Night Song – Raphael Nadjari
112. Réparer les vivants – Katell Quillevere *
113. Project Lazarus – Mateo Gil
114. Afterimages – Andrzej Wajda
115. Don’t Knock Twice – Caradog James
116. Detour – Christopher Smith
117. The Bride of Rip Van Winkle – Shunji Iwai
118. Three on the Road – Johnnie To
119. Le Vin et le Vent...
- 1/4/2016
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
The legendary Waheeda Rehman will soon be seen in a Hindi film again. Last seen in 2009 in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Delhi 6 Waheedaji now heads to Jaisalmer for the shooting of director Anup Singh's film. The film also stars Irrfan Khan and the controversial Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani. Anup Singh's debut film Qissa in 2015 also featured Irrfan and was hugely acclaimed. His new project is called Mantra - Song of Scorpions. It's about a young woman singer deep in the desert of Rajasthan, who sings and heals people. Due to certain circumstances, when she realizes that her life has been poisoned by the man in her life, she then has to go on a kind of mystical journey to find a song that will heal her. The Iranian actress, Golshifteh Farahani has been cast for the protagonist's role. Waheedaji appears in a brief but important role. Waheeda Rehman...
- 12/31/2015
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
Waheeda Rehman, Shashank Arora (Titli, pictured) and Tillotama Shome (Qissa) have joined the cast of Anup Singh’s third feature The Song of Scorpions, which was first pitched at Film Bazaar 2013.
As previously reported, French-Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani and Irrfan Khan lead the cast. Rehman, an Indian acting legend who has appeared in more than 85 films since the 1950s, plays Farahani’s grandmother, a singing healer.
Qissa director Singh will start the 7-week shoot for the new film on Nov 26 in Rajasthan.
Saskia Vischer, Shahaf Peled, Michel Merkt and Thierry Lenouvel are producing the Swiss-French co-production. Rakesh Mehra’s Kriti Productions is serving as the Indian co-producer.
The film has backing from Swiss federal fund Bak, regional fund Cinéforom, and the Cnc’s Aide aux cinemas du monde.
Set in the mystical Thar Desert of Rajasthan, Singh’s original story is about a shaman woman who travels the desert and heals scorpion poisoning with a song. When...
As previously reported, French-Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani and Irrfan Khan lead the cast. Rehman, an Indian acting legend who has appeared in more than 85 films since the 1950s, plays Farahani’s grandmother, a singing healer.
Qissa director Singh will start the 7-week shoot for the new film on Nov 26 in Rajasthan.
Saskia Vischer, Shahaf Peled, Michel Merkt and Thierry Lenouvel are producing the Swiss-French co-production. Rakesh Mehra’s Kriti Productions is serving as the Indian co-producer.
The film has backing from Swiss federal fund Bak, regional fund Cinéforom, and the Cnc’s Aide aux cinemas du monde.
Set in the mystical Thar Desert of Rajasthan, Singh’s original story is about a shaman woman who travels the desert and heals scorpion poisoning with a song. When...
- 11/23/2015
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Slated to release on 11th September, Bengali film ‘Teenkahon’ has been receiving immense support from the Bollywood industry as well, for its intriguing story and promising performances. Impressed with director Bauddhayan Mukherji’s work, Imtiaz Ali who has associated himself with the film, hosted a screening last evening for his friends from the industry. Present at the soiree were director Vikramaditya Motwane, Zoya Akhtar, Dia Mirza, Isha Koppikar, Sunidhi Chauhan, Dinesh Vijan, Tillotama Shome, Irshad Kamil, Anup Singh among others.
Speaking about the film Imtiaz Ali said, “Unique film, yet connected. It’s been made with a lot of love, inspiration. Great detailing, clear cut characters. High class cinema!” Guests from the industry enjoyed and appreciated the film as well.
Isha Koppikar said, “I am speechless right now. I still have a hangover of the movie.” When asked for reasons why she liked the movie she added, “Unique, different, well shot,...
Speaking about the film Imtiaz Ali said, “Unique film, yet connected. It’s been made with a lot of love, inspiration. Great detailing, clear cut characters. High class cinema!” Guests from the industry enjoyed and appreciated the film as well.
Isha Koppikar said, “I am speechless right now. I still have a hangover of the movie.” When asked for reasons why she liked the movie she added, “Unique, different, well shot,...
- 9/7/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
One of Nfdc’s finest international co-production’s, Qissa – The Tale of a Lonely Ghost, was recently screened at Whistling Woods, one of the prestigious film and media institutes in the country. The screening was organized to enable the students to get an insight into the making of Qissawhich was followed by an interactive session where director Anup Singh along with actors Tisca Chopra, Tillotama Shome, Rasika Duggal, the editor of the film Param Kamdar and Vikramjit Roy from Nfdc were present.
The entire session was filled with humorous anecdotes and conversations where the director called himself the actual ghost of the film and the source of the title. The stunning actresses, Rasika Duggal and Tilottama Shome also shared some light moments with the crowd, about how they used to feel clueless with the uncanny guidelines which would baffle them in the beginning. But once they would carry the instructions out,...
The entire session was filled with humorous anecdotes and conversations where the director called himself the actual ghost of the film and the source of the title. The stunning actresses, Rasika Duggal and Tilottama Shome also shared some light moments with the crowd, about how they used to feel clueless with the uncanny guidelines which would baffle them in the beginning. But once they would carry the instructions out,...
- 3/3/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
The role of women in Indian cinema in the recent years has changed by leaps and bounds from playing meek sidekicks to the male lead to playing strong characters in women centric ones. These new age actresses are picking up bolder roles and the recent film ‘Qissa – The Story of A Lonely Ghost’ depicts this clearly. Actors Tillotama Shome and Rasika Duggal portray two strong female characters in this film and have done a brilliant job winning global awards all around.
Set in the background post partition era, the film also runs a parallel Story of Kanwar and Neeli along with that of Umber, played by Irrfan Khan. The strong undercurrents of emotional dilemma and feelings which these two share, are sometimes not determined by the dialogues but by simple gestures. It explores bold issues which never cross the thresholds of curiosity. Dealing with issues like gender bias and identity crisis,...
Set in the background post partition era, the film also runs a parallel Story of Kanwar and Neeli along with that of Umber, played by Irrfan Khan. The strong undercurrents of emotional dilemma and feelings which these two share, are sometimes not determined by the dialogues but by simple gestures. It explores bold issues which never cross the thresholds of curiosity. Dealing with issues like gender bias and identity crisis,...
- 2/22/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Irrfan Khan continues to do Indian cinema proud all over the world.
Just when he is covering himself with another round of high encomium for his performance in Anup Singh's Qissa, news comes that Irrfan is all set to do another international project to be directed by the very talented Qissa director Anup Kumar.
In the film, Irrfan Khan will be paired opposite the stunning Iranian beauty Golshifteh Farahani.
Apart from her mesmerizing looks, the rebellious actress is known for her presence in internationally celebrated movies including Dariush Mehrjui's Santouri (The Santoor Player), Bahman Ghobadi's Half Moon (winner of the Golden Shell at the 2006 San Sebastian Film Festival), and the late Rasool Mollagholipoor's M for Mother (Iran's nominee for the 2008 Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category)
After posing nude for a French magazine Farahani was apparently banned from entering her home-land Iran.
Her coming...
Just when he is covering himself with another round of high encomium for his performance in Anup Singh's Qissa, news comes that Irrfan is all set to do another international project to be directed by the very talented Qissa director Anup Kumar.
In the film, Irrfan Khan will be paired opposite the stunning Iranian beauty Golshifteh Farahani.
Apart from her mesmerizing looks, the rebellious actress is known for her presence in internationally celebrated movies including Dariush Mehrjui's Santouri (The Santoor Player), Bahman Ghobadi's Half Moon (winner of the Golden Shell at the 2006 San Sebastian Film Festival), and the late Rasool Mollagholipoor's M for Mother (Iran's nominee for the 2008 Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category)
After posing nude for a French magazine Farahani was apparently banned from entering her home-land Iran.
Her coming...
- 2/20/2015
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
An interesting video from Nfdc’s international co-production, Qissa – The Tale of a Lonely Ghost titled ‘Making of Qissa’ is live now. The montage video gives a glimpse into the mindset of the characters and their experiences while shooting for the film. Set amongst the remote areas of Punjab, it features the picturesque locales of the state as the backdrop of this intensely captivating movie.
The video which showcases the cast and crew as they prepare for the shoot epitomizes the crux of the film in abeautiful way. This critically acclaimed film has been featured at numerousprestigious international film festivals. It has even grabbed the Best Actor award for Irrfan Khan and two Best Actress awards for Tillotama Shome, the Netpac Jury Award for the Best Asian Film at the Toronto International FilmFestival 2013 and the Silver Gate Award in India Gold Competition at MumbaiInternational Film Festival, 2013.
Watch the video here:
//www.
The video which showcases the cast and crew as they prepare for the shoot epitomizes the crux of the film in abeautiful way. This critically acclaimed film has been featured at numerousprestigious international film festivals. It has even grabbed the Best Actor award for Irrfan Khan and two Best Actress awards for Tillotama Shome, the Netpac Jury Award for the Best Asian Film at the Toronto International FilmFestival 2013 and the Silver Gate Award in India Gold Competition at MumbaiInternational Film Festival, 2013.
Watch the video here:
//www.
- 2/18/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
The official trailer of Fdc’s international co-production, Qissa, The Tale Of A Lonely Ghost a Punjabi language feature film by Anup Singh, starring Irrfan Khan, Tisca Chopra, Tillotama Shome and Rasika Dugal among others has released.
The film has been received well in the International Film Festivals all over for its unique story and performances.
Qissa, The Tale Of A Lonely Ghost is now set to release in India on February 20, 2015 simultaneously across select theatres, on Nfdc’s VOD site www.cinemasofindia.com and on DVD, thereby making the Punjabi language feature film accessible to a diverse pan Indian audience.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=so9jp-tpMEw
The story of the film:
Uprooted by the religious violence that came with partition in 1947, Umber and his family move to a safer locale attempting to forge a new life for his family while keeping their true identities a secret from their...
The film has been received well in the International Film Festivals all over for its unique story and performances.
Qissa, The Tale Of A Lonely Ghost is now set to release in India on February 20, 2015 simultaneously across select theatres, on Nfdc’s VOD site www.cinemasofindia.com and on DVD, thereby making the Punjabi language feature film accessible to a diverse pan Indian audience.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=so9jp-tpMEw
The story of the film:
Uprooted by the religious violence that came with partition in 1947, Umber and his family move to a safer locale attempting to forge a new life for his family while keeping their true identities a secret from their...
- 2/13/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
The Day-And-Date Release of Nfdc’s internationally acclaimed Punjabi language feature film Qissa, directed by Anup Singh and starring Irrfan Khan, Tisca Chopra, Tillotama Shome, Rasika Duggal. Post Qissa’s successful global release across Germany, France and Netherlands and international acclaim garnered in various film festivals across the world, Qissa shall now be released by Nfdc in select theatres across key cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Chandigarh, Chennai and Kolkata on February 20, 2015, the same day that it will be available to buy on DVD or on Nfdc’s newly launched Video-on-Demand site www.cinemasofindia.com.
Nfdc’s diverse portfolio of classics and contemporary art-house films, including Qissa, will be available for online streaming on subscription and pay-per-view basis on the VoD site.
This Day-And-Date release will mark the first time that a feature film of such international acclaim is being distributed in theaters and simultaneously on home viewing and pay-per-view in India.
Nfdc’s diverse portfolio of classics and contemporary art-house films, including Qissa, will be available for online streaming on subscription and pay-per-view basis on the VoD site.
This Day-And-Date release will mark the first time that a feature film of such international acclaim is being distributed in theaters and simultaneously on home viewing and pay-per-view in India.
- 2/3/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Powerful messages, stunning cinematography and authentic performances – 2014 was a good year for independent (indie) cinema. Here is a list of some of our favourites which are worth catching if you missed them.
Ilai (Leaf)
Director Rajiv Reddy’s film traced the journey of a young homeless girl in India, Chennai. Ilai was a good exploration of human emotion, survival and regeneration. The performances were outstanding and natural. Profoundly, the protagonist returns to the same place that she had started off at at the beginning of the film; however, this time she sees the world with different eyes. The film highlights how experiences impact the human soul. We saw this at the London Indian Film Festival and our reviewer wrote, “At times, the cinematography will have you spell bound. Artistic shots of the sun and the streets make this film a visual treat: for instance, a particular shot of the heat...
Ilai (Leaf)
Director Rajiv Reddy’s film traced the journey of a young homeless girl in India, Chennai. Ilai was a good exploration of human emotion, survival and regeneration. The performances were outstanding and natural. Profoundly, the protagonist returns to the same place that she had started off at at the beginning of the film; however, this time she sees the world with different eyes. The film highlights how experiences impact the human soul. We saw this at the London Indian Film Festival and our reviewer wrote, “At times, the cinematography will have you spell bound. Artistic shots of the sun and the streets make this film a visual treat: for instance, a particular shot of the heat...
- 1/7/2015
- by Anjum Shabbir
- Bollyspice
Exclusive: Paris-based Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani will star in Qissa director Anup Singh’s upcoming drama Mantra - The Song Of Scorpions.
Farahani will play a singer and scorpion healer from the Manganiar community of Rajasthan in the Switzerland-France-India co-production.
Geneva-based Saskia Vischer is lead producer on the project, which will be co-produced by Thierry Lenouvel of France’s Cine Sud Promotion and Rakesh Mehra of India’s Kriti Productions. Lenouvel was a co-producer and Mehra the line-producer on Qissa.
Farahani was nominated as most promising actress at this year’s Cesar Awards in France for her role in Atiq Rahimi’s The Patience Stone. Her credits also include Asghar Farhadi’s About Elly (2009) and Hiner Saleem’s My Sweet Pepper Land (2013). She also starred in Ridley Scott’s Body Of Lies (2008) alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
Scheduled to shoot next year, Mantra - The Song Of Scorpions is a contemporary folktale set in the desert of Rajasthan. The film...
Farahani will play a singer and scorpion healer from the Manganiar community of Rajasthan in the Switzerland-France-India co-production.
Geneva-based Saskia Vischer is lead producer on the project, which will be co-produced by Thierry Lenouvel of France’s Cine Sud Promotion and Rakesh Mehra of India’s Kriti Productions. Lenouvel was a co-producer and Mehra the line-producer on Qissa.
Farahani was nominated as most promising actress at this year’s Cesar Awards in France for her role in Atiq Rahimi’s The Patience Stone. Her credits also include Asghar Farhadi’s About Elly (2009) and Hiner Saleem’s My Sweet Pepper Land (2013). She also starred in Ridley Scott’s Body Of Lies (2008) alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
Scheduled to shoot next year, Mantra - The Song Of Scorpions is a contemporary folktale set in the desert of Rajasthan. The film...
- 11/22/2014
- ScreenDaily
Irrfan Khan will be the special guest at the 14th River to River Florence Indian Film Festival.
The festival will screen Qissa by Anup Singh, The Namesake by Mira Nair and Paan Singh Tomar by Tigmanshu Dhulia as part of a special tribute to the versatile actor. Seven episodes of the third season of the Us HBO series In Treatment, starring Khan, will also be screened.
The 14th River to River Florence Indian Film Festival will take place at Cinema Odeon in Florence (Piazza Strozzi 2) from December 6 to 12 and screen more than 40 films.
A special selection of films from the festival will also be screened in Rome (December 13 – 14) and Milan (February 2015).
The festival is directed by Selvaggia Velo and is supported by the Embassy of India and Find – India/Europe Foundation for New Dialogues, with the contribution of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage – Cinema Department, the Tuscan Region and Fondazione Sistema Toscana,...
The festival will screen Qissa by Anup Singh, The Namesake by Mira Nair and Paan Singh Tomar by Tigmanshu Dhulia as part of a special tribute to the versatile actor. Seven episodes of the third season of the Us HBO series In Treatment, starring Khan, will also be screened.
The 14th River to River Florence Indian Film Festival will take place at Cinema Odeon in Florence (Piazza Strozzi 2) from December 6 to 12 and screen more than 40 films.
A special selection of films from the festival will also be screened in Rome (December 13 – 14) and Milan (February 2015).
The festival is directed by Selvaggia Velo and is supported by the Embassy of India and Find – India/Europe Foundation for New Dialogues, with the contribution of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage – Cinema Department, the Tuscan Region and Fondazione Sistema Toscana,...
- 11/12/2014
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Labour of Love, directed by Aditya Vikram Sengupta, won a Special Mention of the Jury in New Horizons Competition section at the 8th Abu Dhabi Film Festival that came to a close on Friday.
The Wonders directed by Alice Rohrwacher took the top award in this category while Stations of the Cross by Dietrich Brüggemann won the Special Jury award.
The New Horizons Jury was made up of Qissa director Anup Singh, Paris-based film producer Catherine Dussart, Syrian actor Bassel Al Khayat, Moroccan filmmaker Leila Kilani, and Charles Tesson, Artistic Director of Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival.
In the Narrative Competition section, Leviathan directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev won the Black Pearl award and Test directed by Alexander Kott won the Special Jury prize. Indian actor Irrfan Khan was on the Jury.
Labour of Love which recently screened at Mumbai Film Festival, was the only Indian film at Abu Dhabi this year.
The Wonders directed by Alice Rohrwacher took the top award in this category while Stations of the Cross by Dietrich Brüggemann won the Special Jury award.
The New Horizons Jury was made up of Qissa director Anup Singh, Paris-based film producer Catherine Dussart, Syrian actor Bassel Al Khayat, Moroccan filmmaker Leila Kilani, and Charles Tesson, Artistic Director of Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival.
In the Narrative Competition section, Leviathan directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev won the Black Pearl award and Test directed by Alexander Kott won the Special Jury prize. Indian actor Irrfan Khan was on the Jury.
Labour of Love which recently screened at Mumbai Film Festival, was the only Indian film at Abu Dhabi this year.
- 11/1/2014
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Irrfan Khan
Actor Irrfan Khan will preside over the Narrative Competition Jury at the Abu Dhabi International Film Festival 2014. His fellow jurors include Algerian novelist and academic Waciny Laredj, award-winning English writer-director Steven Shainberg, Australian film director Cate Shortland and the award-winning Palestinian actor Ali Suliman.
Qissa director Anup Singh will sit on the New Horizons Jury of the festival. Led by Paris-based film producer Catherine Dussart, the Jury includes Syrian actor Bassel Al Khayat, Moroccan filmmaker Leila Kilani, and Charles Tesson, Artistic Director of Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival.
Last year, Qissa directed by Anup Singh and starring Irrfan Khan, was screened in New Horizons section of the festival where it won the Best Actress award for Tillotama Shome.
The Abu Dhabi International Film Festival will be held from October 23-November 1, 2014.
Actor Irrfan Khan will preside over the Narrative Competition Jury at the Abu Dhabi International Film Festival 2014. His fellow jurors include Algerian novelist and academic Waciny Laredj, award-winning English writer-director Steven Shainberg, Australian film director Cate Shortland and the award-winning Palestinian actor Ali Suliman.
Qissa director Anup Singh will sit on the New Horizons Jury of the festival. Led by Paris-based film producer Catherine Dussart, the Jury includes Syrian actor Bassel Al Khayat, Moroccan filmmaker Leila Kilani, and Charles Tesson, Artistic Director of Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival.
Last year, Qissa directed by Anup Singh and starring Irrfan Khan, was screened in New Horizons section of the festival where it won the Best Actress award for Tillotama Shome.
The Abu Dhabi International Film Festival will be held from October 23-November 1, 2014.
- 10/22/2014
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Irrfan Khan, Christina Voros and Catherine Dussart to preside over feature competition juries; seven world premieres of Arab films in feature competitions.
Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Oct 23-Nov 1) has released the names of its jury members, who will select the award winners of this year’s Adff competitions.
This year’s Narrative Features jury led by Mumbai-based actor Irrfan Khan (The Lunchbox, Life of Pi) will be rounded out by Algerian novelist and academic Waciny Laredj, award-winning English writer-director Steven Shainberg, Australian film director Cate Shortland and Palestinian actor Ali Suliman.
The panel evaluating the New Horizons section led by Paris-based film producer Catherine Dussart (The Missing Picture) includes Syrian actor Bassel Al Khayat, Moroccan filmmaker Leila Kilani, Geneva-based Indian filmmaker Anup Singh and film critic Charles Tesson, artistic director of Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival.
Heading the Documentary Features jury is Brooklyn-based director and cinematographer Christina Voros. The other jury...
Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Oct 23-Nov 1) has released the names of its jury members, who will select the award winners of this year’s Adff competitions.
This year’s Narrative Features jury led by Mumbai-based actor Irrfan Khan (The Lunchbox, Life of Pi) will be rounded out by Algerian novelist and academic Waciny Laredj, award-winning English writer-director Steven Shainberg, Australian film director Cate Shortland and Palestinian actor Ali Suliman.
The panel evaluating the New Horizons section led by Paris-based film producer Catherine Dussart (The Missing Picture) includes Syrian actor Bassel Al Khayat, Moroccan filmmaker Leila Kilani, Geneva-based Indian filmmaker Anup Singh and film critic Charles Tesson, artistic director of Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival.
Heading the Documentary Features jury is Brooklyn-based director and cinematographer Christina Voros. The other jury...
- 10/20/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
A still from Labour of Love
Bengali-language film Asha jaoar majhe (Labour of Love) is the only Indian film to be selected for the Abu Dhabi Film Festival this year. The film will be screened in the New Horizons section at the festival that screened Anup Singh’s Qissa last year.
The Abu Dhabi Film Festival will be held from October 23-November 1, 2014.
Aditya Vikram Sengupta was named the Best director of a debut film for Labour of Love in Venice Days, an independent sidebar of the Venice International Film Festival, where the film received its world premiere.
“In the crumbling suburbs of Calcutta, modern alienation is explored with lyricism and tenderness in times of great economic duress. A husband and wife share the same house and an intense love for each other. But since she works by day and he by night, they almost never meet” – goes the synopsis of...
Bengali-language film Asha jaoar majhe (Labour of Love) is the only Indian film to be selected for the Abu Dhabi Film Festival this year. The film will be screened in the New Horizons section at the festival that screened Anup Singh’s Qissa last year.
The Abu Dhabi Film Festival will be held from October 23-November 1, 2014.
Aditya Vikram Sengupta was named the Best director of a debut film for Labour of Love in Venice Days, an independent sidebar of the Venice International Film Festival, where the film received its world premiere.
“In the crumbling suburbs of Calcutta, modern alienation is explored with lyricism and tenderness in times of great economic duress. A husband and wife share the same house and an intense love for each other. But since she works by day and he by night, they almost never meet” – goes the synopsis of...
- 9/29/2014
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
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