|
|
|
|
|
|
Kolkata Film Festival |
|
| The 12th chapter of the Kolkata Film Festival is significant in many ways- apart from being a new chapter in the formidable history of this relatively young festival it also holds the distinction of being the largest crowd pulling festival of India. This year the festival boasts of more than 225 films from over 53 countries making it one of the most comprehensive collections ever.
The Kolkata Film Festival is a veritable feast, which leaves its patrons hungry for more, and this year the feast was particularly well laid out. The discerning jury members like fussy Chefs, ensured that only the freshest and choicest of films were served. “This year’s selection is not only comprehensive but comprises an incredible collection of new films too” says an enthusiastic Anindita Shrabadhikari who is an acclaimed filmmaker herself. And many film enthusiasts second her proclamation. From Lebanon to China, and from budding filmmakers like the Lebanese Josef Fares (whose 2005 film Zozo was very well received) to great masters like Rosellini and Bergman, the length, breadth and depth of this festival is formidable indeed.
|
|
| Kolkata Film Festival- The History |
|
| For years Kolkata’s cinephiles were pining for a forum where they could watch and understand cinema from different parts of the world .The answers to their needs came in the form of its first ever-independent film festival, Kolkata Film Festival. In the winter of 1995 the Kolkata Film Festival opened to a small albeit enthusiastic crowd of cine lovers. Very soon it was recognized by FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations– Paris), the international authority of film festivals. Subsequently Nandan Cultural Complex (which is most definitely the hub of this festival) has managed to build a novel film culture, which embraces both commercial and “art” cinema. Today, the Kolkata Film Festival is on its way to adolescence and has hopefully overcome the teething problems that it has been plagued with all these years (lack of sponsors, poor condition of auditoriums, lack of facilities etc.). This 12-year-old festival now shares a permanent place in the international film festival calendar, showcasing films from all over the world.
|
|
| Kolkata Film Festival 2006 |
|
| This year the Film Festival promises to be a treat for film lovers -some rare countries like Albania, Estonia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Lebanon etc are included in the repertorium. The highlight of course, like every year is the “big” films from Germany, Hungary and China. The Chinese package however is particularly interesting because there has been a conscious effort to represent both pre-revolution and post-revolution China with its all its inner contradictions and confidence.
The 12th Kolkata Film Festival also boasts of the screening of films based on the works of Franz Kafka. The films to be screened are Metamorphosis, In the Penal Colony and The Trial. This year the Film Festival looks back at the works of Ingmar Bergman in the Great Masters Section. Indian Cinema is well represented through various regional language films and the two Buddhadeb Dasgupta Bengali Films that are being show in the festival can probably be cited as its best specimen. The festival will also commemorate the centenaries of Italian Greats Visconti and Rosselini through “an ambitious exhibition”.
|
|
| Top Picks |
|
|
Here are some of the most interesting films on offer in the 12th Kolkata Film Festival Sex and Philosophy (Iran) this latest offering from the acclaimed Iranian director,Mohsen Makhmalbaf is a must watch for any cine lover, simply because of the directors incredible body of work.
Show Timings- 15th November 2006, New Empire, 7.30pm 16th November 2006, Nandan I, 7.30 pm
Josef Fares’s Zozo (Sweden) is a heartwarming tale of an Arab boys journey from war torn Lebanon to Sweden.
Show Timings- 17th November 2006, Nandan I, 3.00 pm.
Krzysztof Zanussi’s Persona Non Grata (Poland) is a poignant tale of a man investigating his dead wife’s love affair.
Show Timings- 16th November 2006,New Empire, 5.00pm.
Lars Von Trier’s disturbing Manderlay (Denmark) is a sequel to his highly acclaimed Dogville and is a part of his “USA Land of Opportunities” trilogy.
Show Timings- 17th November 2006, New Empire, 12 noon.
|
|
| Fact O File |
|
- A total of 225 films from 53 countries will be screened.
- “Adam's Apples” from Denmark by Danish film director Andres Thomas Jensen was selected as the inaugural film for the festival
- The films were screened in 9 auditoriums spread across the city
- The controversial film “Intimacy” which was expected to draw massive crowds opened to a lukewarm response.
- The Kolkata Film Festival provides temporary employment to an estimated 1000 workers
|
|
| « Go back |
Go to Top |
|
|
 |
|
