Raj Amit Kumar’s film Unfreedom remains banned in India.
Having watched this brave film I must say that it touches on the taboo of lesbianism, honour and shame and the position of a daughter amidst South Asian Society.
If one explores the histories of South Asia then one will find same-sex love and the blurred lines of a fixed state of gender in abundance. For instance Agni the Hindu fire God is stated to have been born of two mothers. Urdu poetry celebrated same-sex female love through Rehkti Poetry.
So why so much ignorance and shame towards lesbianism, same-sex love?
There are many factors including carrying on the generation and producing offspring, the issue of whom one marries reflecting family honour and of course, a woman’s chastity representing the family reputation.
These hard hitting and raw realities are explored in Unfreedom through Preeti Gupta’s lesbian character, Leela.
Having watched this brave film I must say that it touches on the taboo of lesbianism, honour and shame and the position of a daughter amidst South Asian Society.
If one explores the histories of South Asia then one will find same-sex love and the blurred lines of a fixed state of gender in abundance. For instance Agni the Hindu fire God is stated to have been born of two mothers. Urdu poetry celebrated same-sex female love through Rehkti Poetry.
So why so much ignorance and shame towards lesbianism, same-sex love?
There are many factors including carrying on the generation and producing offspring, the issue of whom one marries reflecting family honour and of course, a woman’s chastity representing the family reputation.
These hard hitting and raw realities are explored in Unfreedom through Preeti Gupta’s lesbian character, Leela.
- 6/27/2015
- by Aashi Gahlot
- Bollyspice
The controversial film Unfreedom has now released in New York and Los Angeles, as well as on national digital platforms such as iTunes. Directed by Raj Amit Kumar, the film explores subjects that rock the boat…especially so in India.
Consequently, the country went as far as banning it.
Following two story lines of same-sex love in India and terrorism in the USA, discrimination and violence are prised gruesomely out in the open.
Unfreedom stars Victor Banerjee, Bhanu Uday, Bhavani Lee, Preeti Gupta, Seema Rahmani, Ankur Vikal, Samrat Chakrabarti and Adil Hussain.
Aashi Gahlot at BollySpice interviewed actress Bhavani Lee, who plays the part of spunky bisexual Sakhi Taylor.
Lee is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York. She is also a Kathak dancer with the iconic Pt. Birju Maharaj as one of her gurus. Bhavani toured the world with Cirque du soleil and has done various theatre productions,...
Consequently, the country went as far as banning it.
Following two story lines of same-sex love in India and terrorism in the USA, discrimination and violence are prised gruesomely out in the open.
Unfreedom stars Victor Banerjee, Bhanu Uday, Bhavani Lee, Preeti Gupta, Seema Rahmani, Ankur Vikal, Samrat Chakrabarti and Adil Hussain.
Aashi Gahlot at BollySpice interviewed actress Bhavani Lee, who plays the part of spunky bisexual Sakhi Taylor.
Lee is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York. She is also a Kathak dancer with the iconic Pt. Birju Maharaj as one of her gurus. Bhavani toured the world with Cirque du soleil and has done various theatre productions,...
- 6/1/2015
- by Aashi Gahlot
- Bollyspice
Raj Amit Kumar's Unfreedom is a remarkably ambitious film featuring two parallel narratives concurrently set in New York and New Delhi that unflinchingly contend with gender and ethnic identity. A fundamentalist Muslim, Mohammed Husain (Bhanu Uday), arrives in New York City to assassinate a peaceful Muslim academic, Fareed (Victor Banerjee); meanwhile, in New Delhi, Leela (Preeti Gupta), a closeted lesbian Muslim decides to kidnap her bisexual lover, Sakhi (Bhavani Lee), in a halfhearted attempt to marry her.
- 5/29/2015
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Unfreedom: Blemished Light –“It’s the choice we make when we are the most cornered in life that defines who we are.”
Raj Amit Kumar’s “Unfreedom” is a hard-hitting portrayal of the complexity being human. Powerful and well made, the film consists of superb performances.
This film will make you squirm with anger, disgust and shock towards the inhuman society we live in. To “hate” however is never simple.
The film portrays acts of inhumanity yet it also delves into the psyche of why? Why do people choose to commit acts of horror. Hating becomes impossible as it becomes clear that the perpetrator is actually an unhealed victim. Nevertheless, we all have a choice and Unfreedom emphasises the consequence of choice.
The film explores the lives of two different characters, Leela (Preeti Gupta) in Delhi and Husain (Bhanu Uday) in New York City.
Leela is a lesbian who...
Raj Amit Kumar’s “Unfreedom” is a hard-hitting portrayal of the complexity being human. Powerful and well made, the film consists of superb performances.
This film will make you squirm with anger, disgust and shock towards the inhuman society we live in. To “hate” however is never simple.
The film portrays acts of inhumanity yet it also delves into the psyche of why? Why do people choose to commit acts of horror. Hating becomes impossible as it becomes clear that the perpetrator is actually an unhealed victim. Nevertheless, we all have a choice and Unfreedom emphasises the consequence of choice.
The film explores the lives of two different characters, Leela (Preeti Gupta) in Delhi and Husain (Bhanu Uday) in New York City.
Leela is a lesbian who...
- 5/25/2015
- by Aashi Gahlot
- Bollyspice
Unfreedom (Dagh Ujala) Paladin Film & Dark Frames Reviewed by: Harvey Karten for CompuServe ShowBiz. Databased on Rotten Tomatoes. Grade: C Director: Raj Amit Kumar Screenwriter: Damon J. Taylor, Raj Amit Kumar Cast: Victor Banarjee, Adil Hussain, Bhanu Uday, Pretti Gupta, Bhavani Lee, Bhavani Lee, Ankur Vikal, Seema Rahmani, Samrat Chakrabarti, Danae Nason Screened at: Review 2, NYC, 4/1/15 Opens: May 29, 2015 Director Raj Amit Kumar does not believe in extremism and neither does the majority of populations whether in the U.S. or Pakistan, Canada or Afghanistan. In distributing his film, “Unfreedom,” the director is preaching to the choir, since the audience for this drama will also be [ Read More ]
The post Unfreedom Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Unfreedom Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 5/3/2015
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
“We will soon be living in a world where everybody is frightened to say anything truthful”
Rattling many cages and waking up silenced skeletons, Unfreedom is India’s banned film.
Boldly provoked are issues of honour, shame, being Indian and Lgbtq, terrorism, violence and control.
The film powerfully portrays a number of different lives that may seem very different but begin reflecting each other.
One may question, am I being reflected here?
And if so, why is the content scarily banned by the Indian Government?
Prompting the question of why aren’t Indians permitted to view this film?
Surely people should have the right to view a film?
BollySpice’s Aashi Gahlot had the opportunity to catch up with Unfreedom director Raj Amit Kumar.
The inspiring and courageous interview not only provides insight towards the film’s symbolism and why it was produced, but also emphasises the importance of having such films produced – and released!
Rattling many cages and waking up silenced skeletons, Unfreedom is India’s banned film.
Boldly provoked are issues of honour, shame, being Indian and Lgbtq, terrorism, violence and control.
The film powerfully portrays a number of different lives that may seem very different but begin reflecting each other.
One may question, am I being reflected here?
And if so, why is the content scarily banned by the Indian Government?
Prompting the question of why aren’t Indians permitted to view this film?
Surely people should have the right to view a film?
BollySpice’s Aashi Gahlot had the opportunity to catch up with Unfreedom director Raj Amit Kumar.
The inspiring and courageous interview not only provides insight towards the film’s symbolism and why it was produced, but also emphasises the importance of having such films produced – and released!
- 4/2/2015
- by Aashi Gahlot
- Bollyspice
When a film is “banned” by the Censor Board of Film Certification, you know you are onto something. Well, that is exactly the case with Raj Amit Kumar’s film Unfreedom.
Homosexuality.
Islam.
Thinking outside of convention.
Unfreedom breaks all the “rules”.
The film follows two different lives, the storyline pivoting on a female same-sex relationship and the dangers of religious extremism.
Shifting between New York and Delhi, one story explores the kidnapping of a liberal Muslim scholar by a Muslim terrorist. The other story dives into a woman’s journey -a woman secretly in love with another woman. She faces the challenges of this love when she refuses an arranged marriage set up by her religious father.
Classified as “too controversial” for release in India, the film will release in North American theatres on the 29th of May 2015 and simultaneously on digital channels via Film Buff.
The juxtaposition of...
Homosexuality.
Islam.
Thinking outside of convention.
Unfreedom breaks all the “rules”.
The film follows two different lives, the storyline pivoting on a female same-sex relationship and the dangers of religious extremism.
Shifting between New York and Delhi, one story explores the kidnapping of a liberal Muslim scholar by a Muslim terrorist. The other story dives into a woman’s journey -a woman secretly in love with another woman. She faces the challenges of this love when she refuses an arranged marriage set up by her religious father.
Classified as “too controversial” for release in India, the film will release in North American theatres on the 29th of May 2015 and simultaneously on digital channels via Film Buff.
The juxtaposition of...
- 3/15/2015
- by Aashi Gahlot
- Bollyspice
Dark Frames, a new distribution company dedicated to bringing high-quality, non-Bollywood Indian films to North American and international audiences through theatrical and digital channels, will release its first title, Unfreedom, on May 29, it was announced today by Dark Frames’ founder, Raj Amit Kumar. Veteran film marketer and distributor Mark Urman of Paladin is partnering with Dark Frames to lead the marketing and distribution of its release slate. Dark Frames will also partner with Film Buff to distribute Unfreedom at the same time on Cable VOD and other digital platforms.
Unfreedom juxtaposes two powerful and unflinching contemporary stories about religious fundamentalism and intolerance. Shifting between New York and New Delhi, one tale follows a Muslim terrorist who kidnaps a liberal Muslim scholar in order to silence him, while the other charts the travails of a young woman whose devout father tries to force her into an arranged marriage, which she resists...
Unfreedom juxtaposes two powerful and unflinching contemporary stories about religious fundamentalism and intolerance. Shifting between New York and New Delhi, one tale follows a Muslim terrorist who kidnaps a liberal Muslim scholar in order to silence him, while the other charts the travails of a young woman whose devout father tries to force her into an arranged marriage, which she resists...
- 2/13/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Kino Lorber has taken all Us rights to the documentary It’s Hard Being Loved By Jerks, about a legal battle between the French magazine and the Muslim French Council.
The film charts the legal dispute that arose when the Paris-based magazine and target of the January massacre by Islamist terrorists re-printed Danish cartoons first published in 2005 depicting the prophet Muhammad.
Daniel Laconte directed the film, which includes interviews with Charlie Hebdo cartoonists such as Cabu, Charb, Tignous and Wolinski, who were killed on January 7.
Kino Lorber CEO Richard Lorber brokered the deal with Pyramide International sales director Lucero Garzon and CEO Éric Lagesse.
Arc Entertainment has acquired all North American rights to thriller The Squeeze from Terry Jastrow about a gambler who exploits a gifted small-town man.
Jeremy Sumpter, Christopher McDonald, Katherine Lanasa, Jillian Murray, Michael Nouri and Jason Dohring star.
The Squeeze will open in the Us on premium VOD and in select markets on April...
The film charts the legal dispute that arose when the Paris-based magazine and target of the January massacre by Islamist terrorists re-printed Danish cartoons first published in 2005 depicting the prophet Muhammad.
Daniel Laconte directed the film, which includes interviews with Charlie Hebdo cartoonists such as Cabu, Charb, Tignous and Wolinski, who were killed on January 7.
Kino Lorber CEO Richard Lorber brokered the deal with Pyramide International sales director Lucero Garzon and CEO Éric Lagesse.
Arc Entertainment has acquired all North American rights to thriller The Squeeze from Terry Jastrow about a gambler who exploits a gifted small-town man.
Jeremy Sumpter, Christopher McDonald, Katherine Lanasa, Jillian Murray, Michael Nouri and Jason Dohring star.
The Squeeze will open in the Us on premium VOD and in select markets on April...
- 2/10/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Us and Mumbai-based collaborative Dark Frames has acquired world rights to Indian director Kamal K.M.’s debut feature I.D.
Starring Geetanjali Thapa (Monsoon Shootout), the film follows a young woman who sets out on a quest to discover the identity of a labourer who collapsed in her apartment. Producers on the film include Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty.
The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, played in competition at Abu Dhabi and has won awards including best film at the Deauville Asian Film Festival and a jury award for best actor (Thapa) at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
I.D. will also screen at the upcoming Zurich Film Festival in the New World View section.
“I.D. has travelled in many countries in Europe and North America through 19 major festivals, bagging nine international awards so far. There are many queries on the distribution of the film from viewers in many countries,” said Kamal.
Dark...
Starring Geetanjali Thapa (Monsoon Shootout), the film follows a young woman who sets out on a quest to discover the identity of a labourer who collapsed in her apartment. Producers on the film include Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty.
The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, played in competition at Abu Dhabi and has won awards including best film at the Deauville Asian Film Festival and a jury award for best actor (Thapa) at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
I.D. will also screen at the upcoming Zurich Film Festival in the New World View section.
“I.D. has travelled in many countries in Europe and North America through 19 major festivals, bagging nine international awards so far. There are many queries on the distribution of the film from viewers in many countries,” said Kamal.
Dark...
- 8/15/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Us and Mumbai-based collaborative Dark Frames has acquired world rights to Indian director Kamal K.M.’s debut feature I.D.
Starring Geetanjali Thapa (Monsoon Shootout), the film follows a young woman who sets out on a quest to discover the identity of a labourer who collapsed in her apartment. Producers on the film include Kamal and Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty.
The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, played in competition at Abu Dhabi and has won awards including best film at the Deauville Asian Film Festival and a jury award for best actor (Thapa) at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
I.D. will also screen at the upcoming Zurich Film Festival in the New World View section.
“I.D. has travelled in many countries in Europe and North America through 19 major festivals, bagging nine international awards so far. There are many queries on the distribution of the film from viewers in many countries,” said Kamal.
Dark...
Starring Geetanjali Thapa (Monsoon Shootout), the film follows a young woman who sets out on a quest to discover the identity of a labourer who collapsed in her apartment. Producers on the film include Kamal and Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty.
The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, played in competition at Abu Dhabi and has won awards including best film at the Deauville Asian Film Festival and a jury award for best actor (Thapa) at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
I.D. will also screen at the upcoming Zurich Film Festival in the New World View section.
“I.D. has travelled in many countries in Europe and North America through 19 major festivals, bagging nine international awards so far. There are many queries on the distribution of the film from viewers in many countries,” said Kamal.
Dark...
- 8/15/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Amit Kumar, an American Indian director is making a film called Blemished Light. The film will see Victor Bannerjee playing the lead role. Says Amit, "The story of Blemished Light developed from a desire to express the lack of freedom within, and the struggle against, the most dominating social structures of our time - Capitalism and Patriarchy. In our world, mass extermination and discrimination happen in the name of "identity". I took up the task in Blemished Light to show...
- 7/5/2011
- GlamSham
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.