Cinema lovers in the city are in for a treat this month, as they can watch the best of Indian, Asian and Arab cinema at 12th Osian’s Cinefan film festival starting from July 27.
Returning after a gap of two years, the festival is showcasing 175 films exploring new thoughts and filmmaking techniques. But the festival is not just about films; there are also some music performances, discussions on Delhi as a film city, and an exhibition on divas of Bollywood to explore over 10 days. What’s more, you might also get to meet one of your favourite directors at the event.
The festival begins with the Indian premier of Japanese animation film, Asura, by Keiichi Sato. Using the latest watercolours in motion animation technique, the film shows the spirit of survival when faced with challenges.
“The animation industry has taken the film world by storm. Several filmmakers have been inspired by the Gekiga (manga comics for adults),” says Indu Shrikent, festival director.
The festival will see about 15 world premiers, 104 Indian and 13 Asian premiers. Films like Gangs Of Wasseypur 2 by Anurag Kashyap, Prague by Ashish Shukla, Chitrangada by Rituparno Ghosh will be premiering at the festival. The environmental film, The Orange Suit, by Iranian filmmaker Dariush Mehrjui, will also be getting an international premier.
The festival will see about 15 world premiers, 104 Indian and 13 Asian premiers. Films like Gangs Of Wasseypur 2 by Anurag Kashyap, Prague by Ashish Shukla, Chitrangada by Rituparno Ghosh will be premiering at the festival. The environmental film, The Orange Suit, by Iranian filmmaker Dariush Mehrjui, will also be getting an international premier.
“In keeping with the theme, ‘freedom of expression’, the festival will screen five landmark films made against prevailing censorship norms,” says Neville Tuli, Chairman, Osian Group.
Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Salo, Shuji Terayama’s Emperor Tomato Ketchup, the Devika Rani-Himanshu Rai starrer Karma and Jafar Panahi’s This is Not A Film are some films that are being screened under this theme.
As part of a tribute to former director of the festival, late Mani Kaul, guests can also watch his film, Duvidha, the 1973 classic about a bride who falls in love with her husband’s ghost.
Noted directors such as Dibakar Baneerjee, Anurag Kashyap, Imtiaz Ali, actors Lillete Dubey, Kalki Koechin are expected to be a part of the discussions at the festival. There will also be a global summit to discuss the viability of Delhi as India’s next film city and an exhibition on divas of Indian cinema as part of celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema.
Live performances by contemporary musicians and lyricists such as Prasoon Joshi, Mohit Chauhan, Amit Trivedi, Sneha Khanwalkar at the Blue Frog in the evening will help to light up the mood.