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Dossier Open Doors 2011

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With support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the Swiss Foreign Ministry, for the last eight years the Open Doors section has worked to highlight filmmakers and films from countries whose cinema is still developing, and is committed to enabling them to find coproduction partners for their new projects.
16
Open Doors focus on India 6– 9 | 8 | 2011
Transcript

Open Doors focus on India6– 9 | 8 | 2011

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

3

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

4

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

5

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)

6

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.

7

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)

9

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


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