Roll the drums for the MUMBAI FILM FESTIVAL 2010

While Indian cinema continues to attract viewers across the world, Mumbai, the capital of Hindi cinema itself is welcoming the world of the 7th art from Oct 21st to 28th at the MAMI’s 12th Mumbai Film Festival, seemingly the largest film festival ever to be held. The event opened with David Fincher's 'The Social Network' this Thursday, Oct 21st 2010 and will be showcasing 215 feature films, 15 documentaries and 24 short films from 58 countries.

The 2010 edition features not only an all-woman jury led by Jane Campion (‘Bright Star’, ‘The Piano’) for the International Competition but also the ‘Celebrate Age’ jury, led by none other than famed director Ramesh Sippy, as well as a special ‘Mumbai Young Critics’ jury consisting of hand-picked college students who are film enthusiasts, thus contributing a fresh perspective for both film makers and audiences. The ‘Dimensions Mumbai’ short film competition will also be a part of the festival, making the event thoroughly encompass a wide range of cinematic expression. A Japanese retrospective will also give joy to Asian cinema amateurs. Last but not least, two of cinema’s most emblematic personalities, for India and the international scene, will receive the festival’s Life Achievement award: Indian film actor-director-screenwriter-producer Manoj Kumar and renowned film maker Oliver Stone.

The PVR Juhu will host the Main Festival Complex while films will also be screened at neighboring Chandan Cinema (Juhu), Metro BIG Cinemas (Marine Lines) and BIG Cinemas R City (Ghatkopar).

Keep an eye on the festival programme for the following Indian or India-related 2010 releases, among many other pearls:

* 'The Way Home' – by Biju Kumar

* 'Good Night Good Morning' – by Sudhish Kamath

* 'Alif' – by K.M. Kamal

* ‘Harud’ – by Aamir Bashir

* ‘Semshook’ – by Siddhartha Kumar

* ‘Laadli Laila’ – by Murali Nair

* ‘Mirch’ – by Vinay Shukla

* 'Next Year in Mumbai' – by Jonas Pariente and Mathias Mangin (documentary from France).

For more information visit the MAMI 12th Mumbai Film Festival official website.

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Q&A with BOMAN IRANI and ARSHAD WARSI

As the release of 'Hum Tum Aur Ghost' approaches, the talented actors who star in the much awaited film, Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani (who shall also appear in Shyam Benegal's upcoming 'Well Done Abba'),  have agreed to participate in Bollywood Hungama's chat sessions to talk about their new releases. Our sister blog, the Italian Cinema Hindi team, were glad to interact with them on that occasion.

CH - Arshad, would you say 'Hum Tum Aur Ghost' is typically a Bollywood film? What would you say you like the most about the character you are playing in the film?

Arshad Warsi: Not at all. Thats why I’m worried... (The character) is a normal guy in an absolutely bizarre situation.

CH - What type of message do your next releases 'Hum Tum Aur Ghost' and 'Well Done Abba' wish to convey?
Arshad Warsi: ('Hum Tum Aur Ghost')  Helping somebody selflessly and the power of true love.

Boman Irani: For 'Well Done Abba', it is that even the simplest of people can beat the system.

CH - Boman, which two words would sum up 'Well Done Abba'?
Boman Irani: Shyam/Benegal.



CH - I’m an Italian football supporter, Arshad, you were in the cast of 'Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal' (*), are you a football team supporter? Who is a better football player, you or John Abraham?

Arshad Warsi: Definitely me…

CH - Boman, I really liked watching '99', the movie is great and your performance is outstanding. After having played so many different roles, what motivates you to choose one film rather than another?

Boman Irani: Every film should be a learning experience. And variety is the spice of life.

CH - Arshad, which is according to you the best film of 2009?

Arshad Warsi: 3 Idiots.

CH - Boman, which are the films in which we will be seeing you next?

Boman Irani: 'Housefull', 'Dostana 2', 'Crooked' and 'Don 2'.

CH - Arshad, would you like to comment on 'Munnabhai Chale Amerika'(**)? 

Arshad Warsi: Probably we shall start next year.

(*) 'Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal' is a 2007 film about a soccer team from Southall (London) that is composed entirely of South Asian players and how the team climbs the professional football ladder.



(**) 'Munnabhai Chale Amerika' is the eagerly awaited third chapter of the Munnabhai series (which already counts 'Munnabhai M.B.B.S.' and 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' as its first two chapters), produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, directed by Rajkumar Hirani and interpreted by Arshad Warsi and Sanjay Dutt.

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TONGUES OF FIRE 12th LONDON FILM FESTIVAL: Celebrating diversity

Following BBC's announcement of the possible closure of BBC Asian Network, the issue of British Asian talent in Great Britain's media has recently been in the limelight of debate. At times like these, the 12th edition 'Tongues on Fire London Asian Film Festival' brilliantly reasserts the importance of celebrating diversity. 

The festival shall run from 5 March through 14 March 2010 in London under the following banner: "Reflecting, celebrating and inspiring through film". It shall feature multiple feature films, documentaries and short films from Southeast Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) including partnering cinematic efforts accomplished by film makers from the Asian diaspora and Indian artistes.

See a list of films

However, film screenings are only part of a wider scope of activities related to South Asian cinema, such as panel discussions, masterclasses, debates and interviews as well as several educational and community screenings.

In this sense, the festival opened to a "BAFTA Interview with Abhishek Bachchan" and a Gala Dinner celebrating Jaya Bachchan’s rich contribution to Hindi Cinema, which served as the preamble to a more complete retrospective of Jaya Bachchan's films.

 

Other special guests are Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan, as well as acclaimed director Shyam Benegal, who is presenting the premiere of his recent film 'Well Done Abba' and heading a directors masterclass. 'Tongues of Fire' shall also be celebrating the upcoming Commonwealth Games in India by presenting a series of films about sports.

See the events programme

Visit the Tongues of Fire Film Festival website

Watch Abhishek Bachchan at the Festival on video

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