Finally, a central minister has woken up to the vulgar and abusive content on the various Ott platforms. All in the name of freedom of expression – much more than what the century-old Indian film industry gets to enjoy.
It is rather strange that not only the country’s ruling elite, but even the courts think that the Ott platforms were entitled to freedom, while the feature films were not! After reports and comments on the overdose of vulgar content in the news and social media, Information & Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has warned the Ott platforms that obscenity and abusive language cannot be tolerated.
But then, ministers are known to make grand statements, but the implementation of the warnings/laws remains ineffective.
Why make a statement and why not take concrete steps to settle the issue once and for all? After all, this trend of dishing out vulgar, violent, gory depictions...
It is rather strange that not only the country’s ruling elite, but even the courts think that the Ott platforms were entitled to freedom, while the feature films were not! After reports and comments on the overdose of vulgar content in the news and social media, Information & Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has warned the Ott platforms that obscenity and abusive language cannot be tolerated.
But then, ministers are known to make grand statements, but the implementation of the warnings/laws remains ineffective.
Why make a statement and why not take concrete steps to settle the issue once and for all? After all, this trend of dishing out vulgar, violent, gory depictions...
- 3/26/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Mad Max: Fury Road.
.
Mad Max: Fury Road is leading the field in the 63rd annual Motion Picture Sound Editors' Golden Reel Awards.
George Miller's road rage epic earned three nominations, the most in the feature film categories.
The Martian, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Revenant also earned three nominations each..
The nominees represent the work of the world.s most talented sound artists and their contributions to the past year.s most outstanding feature film, television, animation and computer entertainment productions.
Mpse president, Frank Morrone said this nominees had produced an outstanding body of work encompassing motion pictures, television, documentaries, gaming and other mediums.
.Our members continue to impress with their ability to develop new techniques and find creative ways to employ sound as a means of enriching storytelling. We congratulate all of this year.s nominees for their achievements,. he said.
The Mpse Golden Reel...
.
Mad Max: Fury Road is leading the field in the 63rd annual Motion Picture Sound Editors' Golden Reel Awards.
George Miller's road rage epic earned three nominations, the most in the feature film categories.
The Martian, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Revenant also earned three nominations each..
The nominees represent the work of the world.s most talented sound artists and their contributions to the past year.s most outstanding feature film, television, animation and computer entertainment productions.
Mpse president, Frank Morrone said this nominees had produced an outstanding body of work encompassing motion pictures, television, documentaries, gaming and other mediums.
.Our members continue to impress with their ability to develop new techniques and find creative ways to employ sound as a means of enriching storytelling. We congratulate all of this year.s nominees for their achievements,. he said.
The Mpse Golden Reel...
- 1/27/2016
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
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
Banned in India, the controversial new motion picture Unfreedom releases in the United States this Friday, May 29, in theaters in New York and Los Angeles as well as on nationwide digital platforms such as iTunes.
Award-winning actor Victor Banerjee stars in this bold new film and sat down for a candid talk about his role as “Fareed,” a liberal Muslim scholar who actively speaks out against terrorists that use the Muslim faith as a cover for their immoral actions.
How were you first approached for this project and what made you want to take on this role?
An Assamese Director, Bidyut Kataki, whose feature film “As the River Flows”, I had worked in, was a friend of Aftab’s, I think, and sent him my contact details. Raj then had the guts to send me his gut-wrenching script. It was the sort of script that only a fool would turn down and,...
Award-winning actor Victor Banerjee stars in this bold new film and sat down for a candid talk about his role as “Fareed,” a liberal Muslim scholar who actively speaks out against terrorists that use the Muslim faith as a cover for their immoral actions.
How were you first approached for this project and what made you want to take on this role?
An Assamese Director, Bidyut Kataki, whose feature film “As the River Flows”, I had worked in, was a friend of Aftab’s, I think, and sent him my contact details. Raj then had the guts to send me his gut-wrenching script. It was the sort of script that only a fool would turn down and,...
- 5/31/2015
- by Press Releases
- 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
Though it starts off as a cautiously optimistic conversion narrative, the pseudo-progressive, banned-in-India Lgbt drama Unfreedom quickly devolves into an absurdly pessimistic provocation. The film's bifurcated plot initially concerns two Muslims whose lifestyles are reluctantly defined by their families' fundamentalist beliefs: While Leela (Preeti Gupta) defies her intolerant father by publicly coming out with partner Sakhi (Bhavani Lee), Husain (Bhanu Uday) follows in his terrorist brother's footsteps by agreeing to kidnap and film the execution of Fareed (Victor Banerjee), an anti-extremist public speaker. Both characters' faith is tested by religious trial, but neither protagonist gets to decide his or her own fate. During maudlin childhood flashback...
- 5/27/2015
- Village Voice
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
The controversial new film Unfreedom has unveiled its first theatrical trailer. Banned in India and featuring an ensemble cast including Victor Banerjee, the provocative film will be released uncut in U.S. theaters on May 29.
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 because she is secretly in love with another woman. The four characters come face to face with gruesome acts of violence in battles of identity, sexuality, religion, love, and family.
Written and directed by Kumar, the film stars Victor Banerjee (A Passage to India, Meherjaan), Bhanu Uday (Monsoon), Bhavani Lee, Preeti Gupta, Seema Rahmani (Good Night Good Morning,...
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 because she is secretly in love with another woman. The four characters come face to face with gruesome acts of violence in battles of identity, sexuality, religion, love, and family.
Written and directed by Kumar, the film stars Victor Banerjee (A Passage to India, Meherjaan), Bhanu Uday (Monsoon), Bhavani Lee, Preeti Gupta, Seema Rahmani (Good Night Good Morning,...
- 3/28/2015
- by Press Releases
- 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
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
Mumbai, June 26: Television actress Preeti Gupta, who has been part of films like "Blemished Light" and "Mere Haule Dost", says things are not easy for independent films as cinema is more celebrity-driven in the country.
While "Blemished Light" was screened at the Cannes film festival this year, "Mere Haule Dost" was premiered at the London Asian Film Festival -- the latter released here June 7 but failed to impress the audiences or the critics.
"We are a celebrity-run industry. Here celebrity-value is more important than performance," Preeti told Ians.
But she admits that the Indian audience is evolving.
"In.
While "Blemished Light" was screened at the Cannes film festival this year, "Mere Haule Dost" was premiered at the London Asian Film Festival -- the latter released here June 7 but failed to impress the audiences or the critics.
"We are a celebrity-run industry. Here celebrity-value is more important than performance," Preeti told Ians.
But she admits that the Indian audience is evolving.
"In.
- 6/26/2013
- by Rahul Kapoor
- RealBollywood.com
Mumbai, June 12: Actress Preeti Gupta who has been seen in shows like "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii", says she will shoot with a French director soon.
"There is this film, which is with this French director...right now I don't want to talk about it too much...We will be shooting in India," she said.
The actress made her big screen transition with films - "Blemished Light" and "Mere Haule Dost" and says "everything is challenging in life".
"I went to New York to study method acting. That opened up my world. Then I did two independent films," said Preeti who has even trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute - New.
"There is this film, which is with this French director...right now I don't want to talk about it too much...We will be shooting in India," she said.
The actress made her big screen transition with films - "Blemished Light" and "Mere Haule Dost" and says "everything is challenging in life".
"I went to New York to study method acting. That opened up my world. Then I did two independent films," said Preeti who has even trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute - New.
- 6/12/2013
- by Lohit Reddy
- RealBollywood.com
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
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