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2
Projects:
3 Aharbal Falls–AjayRaina
4 Ajeeb Aashiq (Strange Love)–NatashaMendonca
5 Arunoday (Sunrise)–ParthoSen-Gupta
6 Burqa Boxers–AlkaRaghuram
7 Char… The Island Within–SouravSarangi
8 Jat Panchayat (The Judgement)–SatishManwar
9 Lasya (The Gentle Dance)–AnupSingh
10 Samaadhi (The Penance)–SidharthSrinivasan
11 Sebastian Wants to Remember–VasantNath
12 The Trapper’s Snare–ShankerRaman
13 Thread (Le Fil)–LiliumLéonard
14 Vidhvastha (Devastated)–AshishAvikunthak
Index
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Aharbal FallsAjayRaina
SynopsisAtAharbalFallsinKashmirinthesummerof1989,a7yearoldboycontemplatingsuicideis
savedbyagirlaboutthesameage.Thisisthebeginningoftheirloveaffair.Thereisdevotion,caring,andpassioninequalmeasure.Theydowitheachotherwhattheyseestrangermendowithhismother,believingthistobelove.ThesearedangeroustimesinKashmir.Kashmirisareseekingtheir‘freedom’andareinaviolentrevoltagainstIndia.Inanatmosphereofeverydaycurfews,terrorandequallybrutalcounter-terror,whenthefabricofaoncepluralisticsocietyhascomeapart,thechildcouplefindsolaceintheirsecretcompanionship;butonenighttheboy’sentirefamilyisslaughteredbyagroupofkillers.TheorphanchildistakenawayfromKashmirtotheplainsofIndia.Theloversareparted.About15yearslatertheseparatedcouplemeetaccidentallyinDelhi.Theystarttheiraffair
fromthepointwheretheyhadleftoff.Theyarenowmoredeterminedtheneverthattheywillnotletanybodytakethemapart.Promiseme,heasks,“Therewillnoteverbeathirdpersonbetweenus.”Shereplies,‘Yes’.Inspiteofthepromisestoeachothertheyfeelevenmorevulnerabletothepeoplearoundthemwhowillnotjustletthembe.Theydonotknowwhattodotobeazadofsociety’sbindings.ThetwoofthemcannotseemtoagreeoverwhichsideKashmirshouldgo.Theyargueandfightandmakeloveandyetdreadtheverythoughtofseparationagain.Asolutionpresentsitselfbeforethemandtheyacceptit.Hekillsthefirstpersonbyaccident.Thevictimisamalecolleagueinherofficeinlovewithher.Thathediditforherflattershernoendandgivestheirloveanotheraddeddimension,andbythefactthatshehelpedhimeraseallthetracesofthisfirstaccidentalmurder,shebecomesanaccomplice.Theygotogreatlengthstosaveeachotherfromthethreatofbeingfoundout.Also,havingoncetastedblood,killingagainisnotsodifficult.Everyfreshmurderbecomesthemostexoticaphrodisiactotheirpassionatelovemaking.Eachmurdertheycommitisuniqueinitsingenuityandmeticulousness—anaccidental
fall,afatalheartattackinducedthroughfear,anelectrocution,afalsesuicide,andamotoraccident.Theirisolationfromtheworldaroundthemonlyfuelstheirhungerforeachothertoapointofperpetualun-satisfaction.Everynextvictimbindsthemeventighterineachother’spassionatelyobsessivehold;butitcannotbeforlong.
Director’s NoteThisisaminimalistthrillertobeshotinalanguageoflostlove,Kashmiri.Ittriestoarticulatetheprotagonists’relationshipwitheachotherandKashmir’stroubledrelationshipwiththerestofIndia.Theanarchismofthetwoloversisareflectionoftheviolencethattheyhaveinternalizedover2decadesofviolentconflictinKashmir.Loversgenerallyloveforever,ordieforit,butseldomdoloverstakesomeoneelse’slifefortheirlovetolive.Delhi,wheretheyoungKashmiri’sofmyfilmhavetakenrefuge,istothemcoldandincomprehensible,adeepabysswherecrowdsofpeople,moveincessantly,nowhere,whereonecangetlostandfindnosolace.
Director’s BiographyBorninKashmir,Ajayisanaward-winningdocumentaryfilmmakerwithexperienceaswriter,editor,produceranddirector.HisfeaturefilmprojectArazissupportedbyCNCforco-productionundertheFondsSudscheme.HeisanalumnusoftheprestigiousFilmandTVInstituteofIndia(FTII),Pune,havinggraduatedin1991withFilmDirectionspecialisation.
FilmographyTell Them, The Tree They Had Planted Has Now Grown(2002)Wapsi (The Returning)(2005)Between Border and The Fence. On Edge of a Map (2011)
Production Company’s profile AjayRainaFilmsisaproductioncompanymanagedbyAjayRaina.Overthepast20years,thecompanyhasproducedmanyTVProgrammes,corporatepromotionalfilmsanddocumentaries.
Technical Information
Fiction / 100’ / Digital / Colour
Production Status: Production
Shooting Language: Kashmiri
Shooting Start: 12/2011
Total Budget: 100’000 Euro
Funds Secured: 20’000 Euro
Production Company: Ajay Raina Films
Contacts: [email protected] (Ajay Raina)
Ajay RainaDirector,Producer
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Ajeeb Aashiq (Strange Love)NatashaMendonca
SynopsisAjeeb Aashiqisafeaturelengthexperimentalnarrativeaboutatransgendersexworker,
Rani,whomeetsagenderambiguousrickshawdriver,Amal,onamuggynightinBombay.TheirbriefencounterleadstoAmalchauffeuringRanionhernightlytrystswithclients.TheirlivesintersectinthiscontemporaryportraitofBombaycity—asocietyincrisis—leadingtoacomplexfriendshipthatchangesthecourseoftheirlives.“Ajeeb”isanUrduwordfor“strangeorunexplainable,”and“Aashiq”translatesas“lover.”
Thisfilmisprimarilyastoryofdesire-adesiretoliveandlovebeyondone’srealityinaworldhellbentonmakingonefacethatlongingforescape.ThefilmplaysoutissuesofclassandgenderinathrivingoverpopulatedMetropolisbynight.Theintimatespaceoftherickshawpaintsaportraitofacityhanginginthebalance,skewedbypovertyandclassdivide,unitingbothcharactersintheirpursuitofanewutopia.Shoton-locationonthestreetsofBombay,Ajeeb AashiqisthegrittytaleofAmal,wholives
inaslumthatoutlinesthegarbagedumpofthecity.HetakesaloanfromFatima,hislover,whoisonthecuspofmarryinganotherman.Heusesthemoneytogethisbreastsremovedillegallyatasmalllocalhospital.Sincehehastwomonthstopaybacktheloanheisalwaysworkingvariousoddjobsthatcomehisway;heworksasablackmarketerforBollywoodcinematickets,andridesarickshawtohelpafriendoutforamonth.OnenighthegivesRani,atransgendersex-workerarideinhisrickshawanddevelopsacrushonher.Raniisdepressivewithamelancholicblackholeofcravinginhersoul.SheenjoystheattentionfromAmalbutiscruelabouthisyearnings.Acomplex,tenderfriendshipbuildsbetweenthem.Severalinteractionslater,lateonenight,AmalfindsRanidrunkinherroomandstealsallhersavingstorepayhisloan.Shortlythereafter,RanidisappearsandAmalistormentedbyguiltandlonging.AmidrumorsofherhavingcontractedHIVhesetsouttofindher.
Director’s NoteThroughprocess-basedfilmmakingAjeeb Aashiqexploresthelivesofworkingclassgenderoutlaws,sex-work,HIV,desire,andfriendship.Thefilminvestslessinnarrativeprogression.Itallowsthestorytounfurlbyexploringthephysicalandpsychologicallandscapeofallthreemaincharacters:Rani,AmalandBombaycity.Thefilmisalsoadocumentaboutthecreationofafiction,whichovertakestheproceedingsatpointsonlytorecedeagain.Itisasmuchaboutthemakingofthisfiction,aboutfindingtherightcharacterstoplaytheparts,incorporatingtheirreallivesintothefilm,asmuchasitisaboutthestoryitself.
Natasha MendoncaDirector
Director’s BiographyNatashaMendoncaisavisualartistandfilmmakerfromBombay,India.SheholdsaMFAfromtheCaliforniaInstituteoftheArts.HerrecentworkJan VillawontheTigerawardforshortfilmatTheInternationalFilmFestivalRotterdam2011andtheKenBurnsawardforthebestfilmattheAnnArborFilmFestival,2011.
FilmographyMadsong (2006)Watercolors (2009)Jan Villa(2010)
Production Company’s profile TransientFilmsfusesexperimentalformsofcinemawitholdandnewtechnologies.MriduChandraisaNewYorkbasedfilmmakerandproducerwithoveradecadeofexperienceinindependentcinema.HerfilmspremieredatSundanceFilmFestival,airedonnationalPBS,screenedformembersofUSCongressandtheUnitedNations,andshowcasedatmuseumsandfilmfestivalsworldwide.
Filmography ProductionBrother Outsider: The Life Of Bayard Rustin,NancyKates&BennettSinger(2003)Poundcake,RafaelMonserrate (2009) The Canal Street Madam,CameronYates (2010)
Technical Information
Fiction / 80’ / HD / Colour
Production Status: Pre-production
Shooting Language: Hindi, English
Shooting Start: 05/2012
Total Budget: 105’000 Euro
Funds Secured: 10’000 USD
Production Company: Transient Films
Contacts: [email protected] mobile +646-884-3532(Natasha Mendonca)
[email protected] mobile +917-312-2204(Mridu Chandra)
Mridu ChandraProducer
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Arunoday (Sunrise)ParthoSen-Gupta
SynopsisOnceuponatimenotlongago,nightafternightpolicedetectiveJoshiroamedtheback
streetsandthecheapcabaretbarsinsearchofhissix-year-olddaughter,Aruna,whooneday,tenyearsago,hadnotcomehomeafterschool.Everywherehewentastrangeelusivefigurewaspresent.Joshitriedveryhardtocatchhimbutcouldnotsucceed.Everynighthereturnedhomelatetohisdefeatedwife,Leela,whosincethelossoftheirdaughter,livedinadifferentreality.Joshilookedafterherandcaredforherwithalotoflove.Hehadpromisedherthathewouldfindtheirdaughter.Naina,a6-year-oldgirl,wasbroughtbytraffickerstoabrothelandentrustedtoKomal,
ateenageprostitute.Asthedayswentby,Komalandtheyounggirlbecameclose,livingachildlikeexistenceamidstthehorrorthatsurroundedthem.Oneday,Joshiledaraidonthebrothelbutthepimpshidthegirls.Joshiagainfeltthepresenceofthefigure.Babu,a16-year-oldboy,wouldwaitoutsidethePoliceStation,butwhenaskedwhyhewas
therehewouldnotsayanything.Andonedaywhenhedidhavesomethingtotellthem,thecopsdidnotbelievehim.Soonthereafter,JoshiandhispoliceteamweresenttoinvestigatethemurderofBabu’sfather.Theretoo,Joshifoundthesameelusivefigure.Nowheknewwheretofindit.Joshiwaitedoutsideitslair,whichwascalledParadise.Hesawthefigurearrivingtherewith
littleNaina.Joshifollowedtheminside,wherehefoundmanyenslavedgirls.Finally,hefoundtheelusivefigurewithhissix-year-olddaughterArunainaroom.Hekilleditandescapedwithhisdaughter.Butthefigurewasnotdead;hemultipliedandmanyfiguresstaredafterthefleeingfatheranddaughter.Joshifinallykepthispromisetowifeandreunitedhisbrokenfamilyonabeautifulbeach.
Director’s NoteSunriseisatragedytellingauniversalstoryofthelossofachild,ofparentalgrief.Theprotagonist,Joshi,distressedbythedisappearanceofhisdaughter,takesusintohisdreams,nightmaresandmemoria.Thecharactersinthisspacearerealpeoplethathemayhaveknowninhislifebuttheybehaveinamannerthatmaybehissubjectiveperceptionofthem.Thesituationsaresetsofdissociatedmemoriesthathehasexperiencedorperhaps,ashewouldhavelikedthemtohappen.Buthedoesnotalwayscontrolthenarrationandsometimeshetooislostinsideit.Sometimestheothercharacterstakecommand.Butintheend,Joshimusttakeustothecatharsis.
Partho Sen-GuptaDirector,Producer
Director’s BiographyBorninMumbai(1965),hestartedhiscareerin1984asanapprenticeintheartdepartmentinstudiosofMumbai.In1993,hewasawardedascholarshiptostudyfilmdirectionattheFEMIS,Paris.Hisfirstfeaturefilm,Hava Aney Dey(Let the Wind Blow)premieredattheBerlinale2004.Arunoday(Sunrise)ishissecondfeature.HelivesandworksintheUKandinIndia.
FilmographyLe Cochon (1995)Hava Aney Dey (Let the Wind Blow)(2004)Shakti Timeless(2005)
Production Company’s profile Writer-directorParthoSen-GuptaandproducerRakeshMehrafoundedIndependentMoviesin2002,toproducetheawardwinningHava Aney Dey(Let the Wind Blow),whichpremieredattheBerlinalein2004.IthassincebeendevelopingvariousIndianartfilmprojectsincludingArunoday(Sunrise)andFallen Hero(developedwiththehelpoftheHubertBalsFund).
Technical Information
Fiction / 100’ / Digital / Colour
Production Status: Production
Shooting Language: Hindi, Marathi
Shooting Start: 10/2011
Total Budget: 169’000 Euro
Funds Secured: 7’000 Euro
Production Company: Independent Movies Pvt.
Contacts: [email protected] (Partho Sen-Gupta)
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Burqa Boxers AlkaRaghuram
SynopsisInaculturewherebeauty,delicacy,refinementandsubmissionaretheprizedtraitstothe
ultimatefemininecareerfulfilment,marriage,youngMuslimgirlslearnboxingatalittlegyminKolkata,India.Burqa Boxerstellsthestoryofthesewarriorsdeterminedtoknockoutafewstereotypes.ItwillbethestoryofthreeyoungwomenAmina,Shyara,andKhadijaastheytrainforthestateamateurboxingchampionship.Someofthefamiliessupporttheirdaughters’ambitionswhileothersdon’t.Aminawantstofulfillherfather’sdreamofbeingafighter,thoughhehimselfwouldratherseehissoncarrythetorch.Shayrawhosenamemeans“Poet”,helpsherauntrunatailoringshop.Shegoestoschoolintheday,andtrainsatthegymtwoorthreetimesaweek.Heraunt,whofeelstheresponsibilityofbringingherup“Properly”formarriage,wouldbehorrifiedtohearofherniece’sextracurricularactivities.ButShayracallsherselfthepoetofblood,gore,andbrokennoses,andisdeterminedtothwartallplansofmatrimonyforthe“Ring”.Khadijaisthe“Breadwinner”ofthefamily,andproudofit.Sheworksasadomestichelpin
thehouseofaschoolteacherwhoeducatesherandencouragesthepursuitofboxingasawaytoearncollegescholarshipinthegovernment’ssportsquotaforwomen.Thedocumentarywillfollowthesescharactersastheypursuetheirpassionforboxingwhile
dealingwiththeexpectationssocietyhasofthem.Forme,asastoryteller,“Whyboxing?”,isthecentralquestioninitsmostliteralsense.
Whatdoes,boxing,asport,soextremelysubversive,offerthem?Isitthepermissiontobeaggressive?Thetrainingtochannelone’sfury;toplaytowin,andunabashedlyseekvictory?Therearesomanydimensions,socio-economic,psychological,andemotional,tothisquestion,thatitcan’tbutimpactone’sattitudetowardsnegotiatinglifeandself.Iwanttofindouthowtheydefinethemselves,andreconciletheirtraditionswiththeirdreams.Andtheanswer;amosaicofthegirls’stories,theirtrials,travailsandsuccesseswillbeBurqaBoxers,thedocumentary.
Director’s NoteGlovedhandshitspeedbags.Youngbodiesrunandstretch;theymoan,shoutandcurse.Girlsundergoadramatictransformationastheyjumpintotheringandtrain,physically,mentallyandemotionally,topunch,fightandwin.IimagineBurqa Boxersasastudyincontrastsandextremes,inthethemesitexplores;intheimageryitevokes,andinthesoundsitproduces–ofrepression,andcontrolledviolentexpression.Whileitisapoliticalstory,challengingsociety’sattitudestowardsoneself.Intellingit,Iwanttokeepinmindthatitishighinaction,physicalandpsychological,andtheplayershaveanagenda:towin.Iwanttocapturethatspirit.
Alka Raghuram Director,Producer
Director’s BiographyAlkaRaghuramisanindependentwriter/director.Shehasmadethreeshortfilms,The Ant and The Monkey,Panchali,andTired of Dancing,andthe40-minutedocumentaryBlack Waters,adocumentarymemoir,abouttheeffectofthe2004tsunamionthepeopleofAndamanandNicobarislandsoffthesoutheastcoastofIndia.
FilmographyPanchali (2003)The Ant and The Monkey(2007)Black Waters(2008)
Technical Information
Documentary / 75’ / Digital / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: Hindi
Shooting Start: 10/2011
Total Budget: 60’000 – 90’000 Euro
Funds Secured: 10’000 Euro
Production Company: Junoon Pictures
Contacts: [email protected] (Alka Raghuram)
Production Company’s profile JunoonpictureswillproduceBurqa Boxers,andisdevelopingthefictionfilm,The Conqueror,byAlkaRaghuram.
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Char… The Island WithinSouravSarangi
SynopsisMeetRubel,a14yearsoldboywholivesintheborderandsays,”Peoplemustmoveasthe
rivermoves”.Therivererodedhishome,infacttheentirevillage,school,green-fieldsandthelargebanyantreewheretheyusedtoplay.YearslaterhisfamilyshiftedtoatinyandfragileislandcalledChar.Therivergoddess
createdthisislandforherhomelesssonsanddaughterswiththesoilshetookaway.ButCharisconsideredasno-man’slandtakenoverbythearmedborderpolice.ThevagrantcommunitylivinginCharmustbecheckedeachtimetheywanttoreturnhome.RubelsmugglesricefromIndiatoBangladeshtosurviveinthisbarrenzone.Hedreamsforabetterlife.AndinutterdesperationheboardsatrainandlandsupinSouthIndia,overtwothousandkmawayfromChartofindjob.Butthereisnojobforhim.MeetSofikul,whoonceusedbeRubel’sneighbour.Sofiisnow10yearsold.Hisfatherwas
shotdeadwhilesmugglingcows.LittleSofilovestorun!Andrunshewellcrossingthebordercarryingasackfullofriceweighingalmosthisown-selfwhilehissleeplessmotherawaitsathome.Sheshiversateachsoundatnightandsoundsofbulletsarenotrarehere.Thefamiliesareallscatteredbutthekidsmeetontheirendlessjourneywhilecrossingborders.Theirlittlefeetdefyfatigueanddespairhardlytouchestheirsmiles.Insummerwindblowsstronginthischanginglandscape,thecloudsroll.Theriverswellsup
inMonsoon.FencedbytheriveronallsidesinCharthelandlessnomadstrytobringbacktheirsettledliveslostinthepast.Theybuildtheirhuts,sowseeds,clearthedenseforestgrassandevensetupdieselpumpstoirrigatetheparchedearth.Teashopsarecrowdedinthenightwithtelevisionsetsrunondiscardedcarbatteries.AndatsomedistancestandsthecolossalbarragebuiltbyIndiaingreatsocialistspiritto
changepeople’sliveswithinitsterritoryandnotletitgoBangladesh.ThegrandplandidnothelpRubelandhisbrother,sisterandparentsandthepeoplewholivebyriversideforages.Theylosttheirlandstohungrytidesoftherivergoddess.TodayRubelhasonlyasmalldream;hewantstojoinaschoolacrosstheriveronthemainlandwherecarsmoveongasandelectriclampsburnmuchbrighter.Hisparentshadtopartwithallthat;forthemtheCharwasthePromisedLand.ItravelwithRubeltotheedgeoftheislandwhereitiscracking.Willthisis-landcalledCharerodetoo?
Director’s NoteEverythingisasubject,everyoneacharacter,butIcanmakefilmswhenIfeellikebeinginanunknownzone,lotmoretoexploreandexpress.QuitetruethatChar,theborderis-landisdifferentfromthemain-land.Ifounditfascinatinginmanyways.Hereeverythingmovesinacyclicrhythm;theclouds,theriver,theever-changinglandscape.Alongmovethelivesofpeoplebutthroughmomentsofloss,despairandhopewhichhasasenseoflinearityandlonging.Andaninvisiblebordertocrosswherestoriesareborn!TheelusivewatersofriverGangaholdthosestories.Iwastemptedandstartedexposingthosemomentswithamoviecamera…formethisisthebestway.
Sourav SarangiDirector,Producer
Director’s BiographySouravSarangi,bornin1964studiedgeologybutlaterjoinedFTII,areputedfilmschoolinIndiatolearnfilmediting.Currentlyheisinvolvedininternationalco-productionsasanindependentproduceranddirector.ThefewdocumentariesandfictionsSouravmadewonawardsandaccoladeworldwide.
FilmographyTusu Katha (The Tale of Tusu) (1997)Bhangon (Erosion) (2006)Bilal (2008)
Production Company’s profile SonetLumiereisareputedfilmandvideoproductionhouselocatedinKolkata,India.Ithasseveralindependentdocumentariesandtelevisionproductionstoitscredit.Italsohasanefficienttechnicalinfra-structure.
Signe Byrge Sørensen Co-producer
Stefano Tealdi Co-producer
Technical Information
Documentary / 110’ / HD / Colour
Production Status: Production
Shooting Language: Bengali
Shooting Start: 08/2010
Total Budget: 226’930 Euro
Funds Secured: 98’000 Euro
Production Company: Son et Lumiere
Contacts: [email protected] (Sourav Sarangi)
Co-production Companies: Stefilm International [email protected] (Stefano Tealdi)
Final Cut Pro for Real [email protected] (Signe Byrge Sørensen)
8
Jat Panchayat (The Judgement)SatishManwar
SynopsisJhingribelongstoNomadicTribefromMaharastra,India.Thetribeisstampedasthiefby
theBritishgovernment.AsaSocialgroupthesetribeshavetheirownjudicialsystem.Judgesoftheircourtsometimesareconsideredasthievesbypolice,butforthem,theydeliverJustice.JhingriisoneofthevictimsofthisSystem.Herhusbandmortgagesherformoney,herfathersellsherformoneyandwhenherformerhusbandmakesapleaagainsther,thechildinherstomachisconsideredaspropertyofherhusband.
Director’s NoteJat Panchayatisaboutsocialsystems,judiciarysystemsandpowersystems.Everysystemconsistsofrulesandregulationsandthesechangesfromgroupstogroups.It’sabouthumannatureandconditions.ThestructureofthefilmislikearoadmovieanditwillexplorethelifestyleofgypsiesfromIndia.
Satish ManwarDirector,Producer
Director’s BiographySatishManwarcompletedhispost-graduationindramaticsfromcentreforperformingartsatPuneUniversity.Hehaswritten,producedanddirectedplaysinMarathi.Cigarettes,Alvida,Bar Bararesomeofthem.Gabricha Pausishisfirstfeature.CurrentlyheisworkingonTuhya Dharm Koncha?(What’s your Religion?)afeaturefilmproject.
FilmographyCycle (2007)Gabhricha Paus’(The Damned Rain)(2008)Tuhya Dharm Koncha? (What’s your Religion?)(inpre-production)
Production Company’s profile ManwarFilmsisafilmproductionwhichstartedtoproducefilmsbySatishManwar.TilldateithasproducedshortfilmCycle(2007),andTuhya Dharm Koncha?(What’s your religion?)aFeaturefilmprojectsupportedbyHubertBalsfundisinpre-productionstage.SatishManwarisalsoinvolvedasaproducerfordocumentaryFeel in the Blanks(2002).
Technical Information
Fiction / 120’ / 35 mm / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: Marathi, Hindi
Shooting Start: 03/2013
Total Budget: 243’435 Euro
Funds Secured: 0
Production Company: Manwar Films
Contacts: [email protected] (Satish Manwar)
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Lasya (The Gentle Dance)AnupSingh
SynopsisAsthecityofMumbaiissteadilyfloodedbytheragingmonsoonrains,abeggar-childis
fatallyhitbyatruck.Heryoungmother,Amba,determinestofulfillherpromisetothechildandfindthefatherwhohaddesertedthemalongtimeago.Shesetsoffwiththechild’sbodyonajourneythroughragingnatureandbizarreandruthlessencountersinapitilesscity.Ambaisjoinedonherquestbyher45yearsoldmother-in-law,Hansa,andMahesh,33,a
pettydrug-dealerobsessedwithAmba.Thisjourneythroughfloodedstreets,memoriesanddreamsofwhatcouldhavebeenhas
Ambaseethingwithviolenthatredagainsttheimposingcity.Swayingbetweensleepanddeliriousawakening,horrifiedbythedaughter’sdecaying
corpseintheirarms,butrefusingtoabandonit,theywalkon.Maheshfollowsrelentlesslybehind,oftenfightingwithAmbatoturnback.Hesaysshehasfinallyallowedthecitytoscareherandwhatshesecretlydesiresnowissimplytofindahomeandshelteragain.Sheisnotseekingherhusbandforherdaughter,butforherownselfishreasons.Mid-waythroughthejourney,Hansa,badlyinjuredandfeverish,hastogiveup.Hansahasalwaysbelievedthatifyoutrulyacceptthecity,itsviciousnessaswellasnurturing,thecityacceptsyoutoo.ThisiswhatshehasalwaystriedtoimparttoAmba.Neartheendofthejourney,Ambafinallywashesherdaughter’sbodyinapoolofrainwaterandclothesherinanewsari.Then,sheturnstoMaheshandoffersherselftohim.Shewantstothankhimforhiscare,hisloveandhiswalkingprotectivelyalongwiththemthistremendousdistance.Andshetellshimthatheiswrong:sheisseekingherhusbandbecauseshemadeapromisetoherdaughter.Shealsobelievesthatbecausehewasnottheretotakecareofthem-thatisthefinalcauseofherdaughter’sdeath.Now,shesays,sheseeksherhusbandbecauseheowesheranewchild.Shewillconvincehimthathehastomakeanotherchildwithher.That’sallthatshewantsfromhim.ThisisamomentofcompassionateunderstandingforMahesh.Ambawalksonaloneandnow,asshelooksaboutherattheteeming,energeticcity,she
realizesthatthecityisnotverydifferentfromwhatsheis:aninexorablecravingtosurviveandprevail.Shetakesholdofherdeaddaughter’shandandslowly,gentlyshebeginstodance-asherdaughterusedtodance.AmbadancesacrossthestreetsofMumbaitowhatsheknowsmightnotbeherfinaldestination.
Director’s NoteWater,itsviolenceandgentleness,itssurfaceglimmerandsecretivedepthsistheelementalimageofthefilm.Ambawatchesastheviolenceofstreetliferavagesherandherfamily.Itisonlyslowlythatshebeginstorealizethatthereverenceoflifeliesnotonlyinenduring,butprevailingoverallkindsofviolence,especiallythebitternessandcynicismshehasallowedtolivelikepoisonwithinherself.Byovercomingviolencewithoutandself-hatredwithin,sheseemstobeleadingtotheemergenceandcreationofanewera,whereasimplebeggar-womancomestounderstandthenatureofabigcityasnotverydifferentfromherowndesiretosurviveandcelebrate.
Anup SinghDirector
Director’s BiographyAnupSinghwasborninTanzania,EastAfrica.Hegraduatedinliterature&philosophyfromtheBombayUniversityIndia,andin1986,indirectionfromtheFilm&TVInstituteofIndia.Hisaward-winningfirstfilmThe Name of a RiverwasahomagetoRitwikGhatak,ajourneycelebrating‘homelessness’andthepossibilitiesofindependentcinemainmodernIndia.Hisnextfeature,Qissa,startsthisNovember.
FilmographyLasya (The Gentle Dance)(1988)Ekti Nadir Naam (The Name of a River)(2002)Qissa (The Ghost is a Lonely Traveller)(inpre-production)
Co-production Company’s profile Heimatfilmwasfoundedin2003inColognebyBettinaBrokemperandherpartnersfromEmbassyofDreams,Munich.HeimatfilmfocusesondevelopingandproducingfeaturefilmsandtelevisionprojectsforGerman,Europeanandinternationalaudiences.Beyondthis,Heimatfilmengagesininternationalco-productions,andorganizesserviceproductionsinGermanyforforeigncompanies.
Filmography Co-productionThe City Below, ChristophHochhäusler (2010)Bal – Honey, SemihKaplanoglu(2010)Lemon Tree, EranRiklis(2008)Johannes Rexin
Co-producer
Technical Information
Fiction / 90’ / 35 mm / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: Hindi, Marathi
Shooting Start: 06/2013
Total Budget: 2’048’112 Euro
Funds Secured: 0
Production Company: Heimatfilm
Contacts: [email protected] (Anup Singh)
[email protected] (Johannes Rexin)
10
Samaadhi (The Penance)SidharthSrinivasan
SynopsisTheelderlywomanhadbeenlanguishingforsometimenow.Manyyearsbefore,her
husbandhadgonetoofferprayersatthenearbytemple,nevertoreturn.Heabandonedhiswifeandleftbehindtwoperplexedlittlechildren.Theelderchild–agirl-grewuptobecomeanoutwardlyself-assuredindividual,thesolebreadwinnerofthefamily.Butinrealityshewasdeeplytroubled,seizingeveryopportunityshecouldtoescapeherdrabpredicamentvialovelesssexualencounters.Instarkcontrast,hershyandintrovertedbrotherwasreducedtoanexistenceofrepressedservitude,incurredfromyearuponhumiliatingyearofnursinghisailingmother.Thatnight,theoldwomanknewherendwasnear.Shebeckonedhersonandwhisperedher
dyingwishtohim:toachieveKashiLabh-tobreatheherlastinthecityofVaranasi,theholiestofIndianpilgrimagesites,andbecrematedthere.CastingherashesinthewatersofthesacredriverGangeswouldabsolveherofsinandremovehersoulforeverfromtheunrelentingcycleofbirth,deathandrebirth.MotherandchildrenmadethelongjourneytoVaranasiandtookuplodginginapalatial
butdilapidatedhotelcalledMokshaDham(HomeofSalvation).Itwasanancientguesthousethataffordeditspatronsthemorbidhospitalityofcheckingintodie.Butratherthanbreatheherlast,theelderlywomansufferedaviciousseizureandwentintoacoma.Itwasasifshehadplayedacrueljokeatherchildren’sexpense,lockingherselfupinacavernouscloset,therebyforcingthefamily’sdeepest,darkestskeletonstocometumblingout.Thedaughterwasofthefirmopinionthattheirmotherneededthegentlestofnudgestopushherovertothe“otherside”.Butheryoungerbrotherwouldstopatnothingtoseetheglintoflifeinhismother’seyesagain.Evenifittookhimtotheveryedgeofmadness,embracingghoulishpollutionandthemostsinisterofprofanerituals.Anepicstrugglebetweenfleshandfatalismensuesinthecityoflifeanddeath.Whileanold
womanlanguishesineternalslumber,neitherdeadnoralive,herchildrenwillprovokepast,presentandfuture,lifeanddeath,bodyandsoul,withcatastrophicconsequences….
Director’s NoteSamaadhiisanattempttoreconcilemytwolong-standingdesiresasafilmmaker–tomakeatruly“Indian”horrorfilm,andtoexplorethedynamicsofafamilythroughtheprismofaminimalistchamberdrama.IwantedtounderstandveryIndiannotionsoflineageandancestry,mortalityandimpermanence.Byhavingthesethemesplayoutinanancientcitywherelifeanddeath,thesacredandprofane,areflipsidesofthesamecoin,Ihopedtomakearootedgenrefilm.Thus,Samaadhiisafilmthatisbothpoeticandprovocative,visceralandsensuousand–ultimately-isafilmcapableofengagingtheviewer’sfacultiesandelicitinganemotionalresponse.
Sidharth SrinivasanDirector,Producer
Director’s BiographySidharthisanindependentfilmmakerbasedinNewDelhi.HisdebutshortSwamohitapremieredattheVeniceFilmFestivalin2000,whenhewas23yearsold.Written,producedanddirectedindependently,Pairon TallehaditsWorldPremiereattheTorontoInternationalFilmFestival2010togreatacclaim,andwasoneofTIFFCo-DirectorCameronBailey’sDaily Picks.
FilmographySwamohita (The Tightrope Walker)(2000)Divya Drishti (The Divine Vision)(2002)Pairon Talle (Soul of Sand)(2010)
Production Company’s profile SidharthestablishedReelIllusionFilmsin2000asanindependentoutfitcommittedtopushingthecinematicenvelope,whilststrivingtotelltrulyIndianstoriesthatresonatewithanaudienceforqualityWorldCinema.Thecompanyrecentlysoldmulti-platformNorthAmericanrightsofPaironTalletotheGlobalLens2011andBeneluxrightstotheHubertBalsFund(IFFR).
Filmography ProductionMondo Macabro(2001)Hell’s Ground, OmarAliKhan(2007)Down Terrace, BenWheatley(2010)Pete Tombs
Co-producer
Technical Information
Fiction / 90’ / Redcode RAW (4K) / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: Hindi
Shooting Start: 01/2012
Total Budget: 356’466 Euro
Funds Secured: 34’000 Euro
Production Company: Reel Illusion Films
Co-Production Company: Boum Productions
Contacts: [email protected] (Sidharth Srinivasan)
[email protected] (Pete Tombs)
11
Sebastian Wants to RememberVasantNath
SynopsisSebastian,65,aneminentphotographer,hasastrokethattakesawayhismemories.Hiswife
Rose,60,issaddenedthatSebastianhasforgottenhercompletelyanddoesherbesttohelphimrecover.Duringhisrecovery,Sebastianisolatesthreephotographsthatseemtoholdsignificant
meaningforhim:imagesofabuffalocalf,aflamboyantQueenandayoungPadri.AllthreewereclearlyphotographedbySebastianbuttheircontextandsignificanceremainsamysterytoRose.Then,oneday,Sebastiansuddenlyuncoversaphotographofawomanthathasanevengreatereffect,sendinghimintoafitofrestlessnessthatgrowsdaybyday.Despitehisenfeebledcondition,Sebastianbeginstosetoutlookingforthewomaninthephotograph;notcaringthatonhisown,hecouldnotgetfurtherthanhiscolonygate.ForRose,thelanguorous,seductivephotographoftheunknownwomanissuggestiveofalifethatSebastianhadkeptsecrettillthen.Sherealizesthatpursuinganexplanationforitcouldopenapandora’sboxofunpleasantdiscoveries.However,afterwatchingSebastianendangerhimselfrepeatedlyforitssake,RosehastoconsiderthedifficultchoiceofresurrectingSebastian’soldcaranddrivinghimtowherehetookthewoman’spicture.Nobody,includingSebastian’soldfriends,knowswhothewomanisorwherethephotowastaken.However,RosecanseethateachoftheotherthreephotosclearlyrelatetosomethingfromSebastian’sforgottenpastthathewantedtoremember.So,afterdiggingupsomeclues,shetakeshimonthisunusualtreasurehunt,half-hopingtodiscoverthereasonforSebastian’sinfatuation,half-hopingthatitwearsoffalongtheway.Thejourneyisnotwithoutdifficulties.Thetravelersareoldandtheirvehicleisevenolder.
ToRose’sfrustration,Sebastian’smostdifficulttraits–hisstubbornnessandrecklessness-werenotannihilatedbyhisstrokeandmanifestunpleasantlyastheygetfurtherandfurtherfromhome.Eachnewcluetheyuncovershedslightonthelifeofamanneitherofthemknewanymore.OverthemanyhundredkmofaroadjourneyfromNewDelhitoIndia’sWesternextremities,
thecouplecomefacetofacewitheachother’strueselvesasneverbefore.Upagainstsomeshatteringrevelationsfromthepast,theirfuturestandsinjeopardy.Theironlychanceistorememberthesolidfoundationoflovethathasbroughtthemsofar-butthatissomethingnotforSebastianalone,butforbothofthemtorecall.
Director’s NoteSebastian Wants to Remember wasbornfouryearsago,inanefforttowriteanoriginalscreenplaythatdidnotfitintoanyboxesalreadyextantintheIndianfilmindustry.ThegoalwastotellafreshIndianstorythatdealswithcontemporaryIndianssetinlocalesthataretogetherrepresentativeofIndia’sdiversity.Thescreenplayhasbeendrawnfromthemesthatareveryfamiliartome,andthestoryplaysoutoverlandscapesandlocalesthatIhavespentmuchtimeinasachild.ThethemesofOldAgeandMemoryarecentraltothestory,andmyfamiliaritywithbothcomesfromaclosebondwithagrandparentwhosufferedfromAlzheimer’sdisease.
Vasant NathDirector,Producer
Director’s BiographyVasantNathgraduatedfromtheUniversityofCambridgeinSociologyin2003.HeassistedOscarnominateddirectorDeepaMehtabeforeworkinginMumbaiasacreativeassistant,specializinginwritingscreenplays.Hehasbeenafreelancewriteranddirectorsince2008andisworkingtowardsmakinghisfirstfeature.Vasantisalsoanavidphotographer.
FilmographyShanu Taxi(2006)Sukrit’s Sundays(2007)Checkmate(2011)
Production Company’s profile VAVAArtsisthebannerunderwhichVasantintendstocreatenewnarrativecontentinlinewiththechangingtrendsofIndia’sindependentfilmindustry.
Technical Information
Fiction / 100’ / 35 mm / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: English, Hindi
Shooting Start: 03/2012
Total Budget: 109’202 Euro
Funds Secured: 0
Production Company: VaVa Arts
Contacts: [email protected] (Vasant Nath)
12
The Trapper’s SnareShankerRaman
SynopsisThe Trapper’s Snareisthespiritualjourneyof15yearoldSundaran,hisexperiencesand
realizations,andhisriteofpassageintoadulthood.TheonlychildofaTamiltribalfamilyinSriLanka,Sundaran’sparentsarebirdtrappers.Hisfather,Shaktivel,isademon,absorbedineithersettingupsnaresorindulgingindrink.Shankari,Sundaran’smotherisgentle,softspokenanddotesonherson.Trappedbythedominanceofherhusband,shehandcraftscagestohousetheensnaredbirdsandsellsthematthelocalmarketplace.Sundaranhasbeeninandoutofsicknessallhislife.Havingrecoveredfromanotherboutof
malaria,heaccompanieshisfatherforahuntinthewoods.Underhisfather’sstrictwatch,hereluctantlylaysasnareforthefirsttime.Intheeveninghefindsaswallowcaughtinthesnare,withitslegbroken,flappingabout
helplesslyinpain.Soonthebirddies.Crushedbythebird’sdeath,Sundaranfallssickagain.Hesuffersfromfeverandsevere
coughingfits.ItisincreasinglycleartoShankari,thatundertheassaultinggazeofhercoldheartlesshusband,hersonwillnotsurvive.Thecivilwarisraging.SinhalaandTamils,BuddhistsandHindus.Alifesizemonumentofthe
Buddhahascomeupovernightinthetownsquare.IthasledtoprotestsbytheminorityTamilcommunity,angeredbythedestructionoftheirhousesofworship.Amidstallthemadnessofprotestsagainsttheerectionofthestatue,Shankarinotices
hersonenrapturedbythefaceofBuddha.SensingawaytosavehersonfromthediabolicalShaktivel,Shankari,inasupremeactofsacrificeanddefiance,givesawaySundarantoaBuddhistmonastery.Ordainedasanovicemonk,Sundaran,nowknownasBhikkuRahula,leadsanorderlyanddisciplinedlifeattheforestmonastery.ItseemsthesufferingofyoungRahulaisfinallyover.Butnotforlong.HisfriendandcompanionIssa,killshimself,tormentedbyself-doubt.AfrightenedRahula,
runsawaytofindhismotherinthetownsquare,onlytobecaughtinafreakexplosiondecapitatingthestatueofBuddha,killinghismotherandseveringhisrightarm.Rahularecovers,rescuedbyaprostitute,Sita,whorunsabrothelforthehandicapped.Rahulaissuckedintothisworld,amicrocosmofhell,untilaclumsy,coitalexperiencewithSita,makeshimexaminehisdesireforloveandcompanionship.Thefilmisameditationonthesignificanceofwhatoneisabletoorwillingtoleavebehind.
Director’s NoteMyexperiencewithfilminginconflictareas,triggeredquestionsaboutreligion,identityandthevalueofhumanlife.SriLankahaswitnessedimmensesufferingasaresultofthecivilwar.Itmademewonderwhatmighthavespawnedviolenceinaplace,whichhaspreservedtheoriginalteachingsoftheBuddhainpracticeandintextform.TheBuddhashowedthewaytotheendofsuffering.MyHindutraditionindicatesthatsufferingispurelyaconsequenceofpastactions,whilemyrationalmindarguedthatIamfullyresponsiblefortheoutcomeofmylife.Sowhatcausessuffering?Isitfate?Orisitamatterofchoice?
Shanker RamanDirector
Director’s BiographyShankerRamanisanawardwinningcinematographerhavingworkedprofessionallyoverthelast15yearsonseveraldocumentaries,shorts,featurefilmsandTVcommercials.Aftercompletinghisbachelor’sinPhysicshewentontomajorinCinematographyfromtheFilmandTVInstituteofIndia,Pune.The Trapper’s SnareishisthirdfeatureasawriterandfirstasDirector.
FilmographyFrozen(2007)Peepli Live(2010)Patang (The Kite)(2011)
Production Company’s profile ChasingTalesisaproductioncompanyrunbyAamirBashir&ShankerRaman.Harud(Autumn)istheirdebutfeatureproducedwiththesupportofHubertBalsFund.DirectedbyAamirBashir,ithastraveledtomajorinternationalfilmfestivals.ItwontheDonQuixoteAwardatFribourgInternationalFilmFestival(2011).The Trapper’s Snareistheirsecondfeature.
Filmography Production (all projects)Harud (Autumn), AamirBashir(2010)The Trapper’s Snare, ShankerRaman(2012)
Technical Information
Fiction / 110’ / 35mm / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: Tamil, Sinhala, English
Shooting Start: 12 /2011
Total Budget: 750’000 Euro
Funds Secured: 10’000 Euro
Production Company: Chasing Tales
Contacts: [email protected] (Shanker Raman)
[email protected] (Rucha Pathak)
Rucha Pathak Producer
13
Thread (Le Fil)LiliumLéonard
SynopsisTheSuryacircustravelsaroundruralIndiaofferingtothecommonpeopletoforgetalltheir
worriesastheywatchtheincredibleandthespectacularspringoutofthepitofanarena.However,itisfarfromthetumultandthelimelightofthestagethatliesthemostuncannyperformanceofthefairgroundcommunity:itisintheirdailyscoresascostumedesignersforthecircusthatthetwocontortionists,NishaandSandhyadisplaythemoststrikingimageofthetiethatlinksthemboth.NishaandSandhyaareasinseparableandindivisibleastheirstagecharacterswhosebodies
everynightmingle.Theirbondissuchthatitextendstotheperfectcoordinationoftheireachandeverymoveandthegirlsseemtomeltinoneanotherwhentheystitchapieceofclothtogether.Theylivehappilyinthecircusuntiltheyoungest,insearchofheridentityandwillingtoassertherindividuality,showssignsofindependence.Sandhyadreamsofrecognitionandwishesthataspectatorwilltakeheroutofthecircus
boundaries,backtotheoutsidelifeshehasforgottenallabout.Likemostofthecircusartists,Sandhyawasboughtfromherfamilytoservethefairgroundcommunity.Nisha,whodeliberatelyjoinedthecircus,knowsthatonecannotescapefromthisadoptivefamilywhichreducesitschildrentoslavery.Shewitnessedinheryouth,themurderofanartistwhotriedtoescapeandkeptitasecret.WhenSandhyacametothecircus,Nishatookherunderherwingtosootheherpainandfromasimpleseamstress,shebecameacontortionistperformingsidebysidewithherapprentice.ButasSandhyamovesawayfromNishatowardsanimpossibledream,Nishaishaunted
bytheghostofherpastabandonmentthatledhertothecircus.TherelationshipoftheinseparablesholdstoastringwhenNishadecidestostitchherselftoSandhyatorefrainherfromleavingtheencampment.Thinkingsheisthussavingherfromacertaindeath,sherisksloosingherownselfintheprocess,buttheirfusionissuchthatitultimatelysurvivesthismutilation.Withoutknowingit,thetwoyounggirlswritetogetheranewlegendofthecircus:byacceptingtobestitchedtoNisha,Sandhyashattersthemoralofthecommunitywhoabandonsthemonstrouscouple.Overwhelmedwiththeirnewfoundfreedom,theywalksidebysidetowardsavillagetheyseeinthedistance,withoutnoticingthatthethreadboundingthemloosensabitmoreateachsteptofinallydisappear,carriedbythewind.
Director’s NoteThreadcomesfrommyencounterwithfilmandIndia.Ofallofmyfilmprojectsitistheonewhichreflectsthemostmyprofessionalgoalinthedesiretoembracemycountryoforigin.InIndia,everythinganditscontraryseemtocoexistinanemotionalmaelstromwhichdrivesusinevitablytowardsexistentialquestions.ItisthisfeelingofbeingoverwhelmedwithdiverseemotionswhichquestionsourperceptionthatIwouldliketoexplore.WiththisfilmIintenttoquestionthemeaningoflifeinaninnocentyetvisceralwaytocreateafantasytalewhichwillbringusbacktotheprimitivefearofseparationandabandonmentonlytotranscendit.
Lilium LéonardDirector
Director’s BiographyLiliumLéonardisbothIndianandFrench.ShegrewupinPariswhereshestudiedFilmtheoryatLaSorbonneUniversitybeforereturningtoIndiatospecialiseinFilmdirectionattheFilmandTelevisionInstituteofIndia.Thread,herdiplomafilm,wontheBestShortFilmAwardattheThirdEyeAsianFilmFestival(Mumbai)andattheAsianHotShotsFilmFestival(Berlin).
FilmographyNisha, the Mark of the Cow(2008)Thread(2009)Rasika(2011)
Technical Information
Fiction / 90’ / HD / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: Hindi, English and other Indian languages
Shooting Start: Summer 2012
Total Budget: 300’000 Euro
Funds Secured: 0
Contacts: [email protected] (Lilium Léonard)
14
Vidhvastha (Devastated)AshishAvikunthak
SynopsisAnniruddhPandey,amiddle-agedpolicehitman(encounter-specialist)withtheMumbai
policeforce.Hehasconductedcloseto100extrajudicialkillingofmenbelongingtoMuslimmafiainMumbai.Hehasbeensuspendedfromthepoliceforcebecauseofhumanrightviolations.Heisnowgoingthroughanexistentialcrisis.Thisisreflectedwithhisrelationshipwithhisyounggirlfriend-Neha,withwhomhehasadehumanizingsexualrelationship.Theymeetinseedyhotelroomsandhavesex.InbetweentheconversationsAnnirudhoccasionallyboasts-howhekillsMuslimmenfalselylabelingthemasmafiaoperatives.Hevividlyrecountsingraphicdetailshowhetorturesthemandthendisposesthem.AfteranaggressiveargumentNehaleaveshim.OneeveningLanceNaikAmarinderSinghBhatu-aSikhsolideroftheJatRegimentoftheIndianArmyforcesintotheAnnirudhhouse.EvenbeforeopeninghismouthAmarinderSinghstartsbrutallyhittingAnnidrudhwithhisriflebutt.Andthenhandcuffshim.HechidesAnnirudhaboutthewayhekillsinnocentMuslimsinBombay.InsteadAmarinderSinghbragsinexplicitdetailshowhekilledMuslimmeninKashmir,howherapedyoungMuslimgirls,andhadsexwithdeadmutilatedbodies.HesayshelearnthowtokillwhenhesawHindumenburningalivehisfather,grandfatherandhisbrotherintheDelhiriotsof1984.Hewas6yearsold.AmarinderSinghthenrapesAnnirudh.HesubsequentlytakestheknifeofhisarmyrifleandblindsAnnirudh.AndAnnirudhfaints.AmarinderSinghgoesintothebathroom.Removeshisuniform.Heshavesofhisbeard.Heshaveshishead.Helooksintomirror,startschantingmantrasfromGurbani(Sikhholybook)andshootshimselfinhishead.NehareturnstoAnnirudh’shousetohelphimandsee’sthathelookingforhisrevolvertokillhimself.ShethentakeshimoutthroughthestreetsofMumbaitilltheyreachanemptylevelcrossingwheresheleavesAnnirudhandafasttrainrunshimover.Vidhvasthaisapsycho-politicalfilmthatsymbolicallyexplorespenetratingviolencebythe
stateinIndiancontemporarysocietyontotheintimatespheresofindividuals.
Director’s NoteThefilmispivotedonthreespectacularformsofviolencethathavepervadedcontemporaryIndiansociety–extrajudicialkillings;anti-insurgencyviolence;thecommunalriots.Myfilmisametaphoricexaminationoftheseformsofviolenceanditsimpactontheconsciousnessofindividualperpetratorsofthatviolence.ThisisapoliticalfilminthetruestsensethatbringsthespectreofviolenceintothemakingofcontemporaryIndia.Idon’tofferhope,becauseIdonotseehope.ViolencebegetsviolenceandtheonlyrecoursethatIofferisself-destruction.Thismightableakfilm,butthatisbecausethefutureisbleak.
Ashish AvikunthakDirector,Producer
Director’s BiographyAshishhasbeenmakingfilmsforthepast15years.Hisfilmshavebeenshownworldwideinfilmfestivals,galleriesandmuseums-TateModern,CentrePompidou,alongwithRotterdam,andBerlinfilmfestivals.HisfirstfeatureShadows FormlesspremieredatFestivaldelfilmLocarnoin2007.HehasaPhDinculturalanthropologyandnowteachesatUniversityofRhodeIsland.
FilmographyShadows Formless(2007)Vakratunda Sawha(2010)Katho Upanishad (2011)
Production Company’s profile AshishAvikunthakProductionhasproducedhalfadozenofshortfilmsandtwofeaturefilmssince1995.Inthecourseofthelast15yearshasinvestedaboutEuros100,000inthemakingoffilmsthatbreaktheboundariesofimaginationinIndiancinema.Atthemomentthecompanyisinvolvedwiththemakingof4featurelengthfilms,whichithopestoreleaseinthenext4years.
Filmography ProductionShadows Formless(2007)Vakratunda Sawha(2010)Katho Upanishad(2011)Moloy Mukherjee
Producer
Technical Information
Fiction / 85’ / Super 16 mm / Colour
Production Status: Production
Shooting Language: Hindi
Shooting Start: 12/2011
Total Budget: 99’500 Euro
Funds Secured: 60’000 Euro
Production Company: Ashish Avikunthak Productions
Contacts: [email protected] (Ashish Avikunthak)
15
Friday 5th August OpenDoorsWelcomeDrink Byinvitationonly
Saturday 6th August MeetingsonetooneCinéfondation(ClubOpenDoors)
OpenDoorsWorkshop(Palavideo)
Sunday 7th August MeetingsonetooneOpenDoors(ClubOpenDoors)
CarteBlancheColombia(Palavideo)
Monday 8th August MeetingsonetooneOpenDoors(ClubOpenDoors)
Tuesday 9th August RoundTable(Forum–SpazioCinema)
OpenDoorsAwardCeremony(Forum–SpazioCinema)
TocompletetheOpenDoorsprogramandtocreatebridgesbetweentheFestival’saudienceandOpenDoors,aselectionofIndianfilmswillbepresentedintheOpen Doors Screening.
For more informations: opendoors.pardo.ch
OpenDoors6–9|8|2011
Festival del film Locarno3 – 13 | 8 | 2011
GraphicDesignLucaSpinosa,FestivaldelfilmLocarno
AteliersduCinémaEuropéen(ACE)ARTECentrenationalducinémaetdel’imageanimée(CNC)Cinéfondation,FestivaldeCannesEuropeanAudiovisualEntrepreneurs(EAVE)EuropeanProducersClub(EPC)ProducersNetwork,MarchéduFilm,FestivaldeCannesvisionssudest
Inpartnershipwith:
The Festival would like to thank
Acknowledgments:OlivierPère,ArtisticDirectorNadiaDresti,DelegatetotheArtisticDirection/HeadofIndustryOfficeMartinaMalacrida,HeadofOpenDoorsNathalieSoldini,CoordinatorOpenDoors
Open Doors Selection Committee: OlivierPèreMartinaMalacridaNathalieSoldiniSunilDoshi,IndiaconsultantforOpenDoorsMeenakshiShedde,IndiaconsultantforOpenDoorsJean-MichelFrodon,Journalist