iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
Djokovic wrote 'Kosovo is the heart of Serbia' on a camera lens on Monday, the same day when 30 NATO peacekeeping troops were hurt in clashes with Serb protesters in the Kosovo town of Zvecan
KT APPDOWNLOAD
DIFF to showcase movies from four corners of India
DUBAI — Films from the four corners of India and its art house and mainstream traditions will be part of the 2010 Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), representing the nation’s demographic and cinematic diversity.
Drama and comedy documentaries, features and short films from Mumbai, Kerala, West Bengal and Kashmir by rising and established filmmakers are included in DIFF’s Muhr competition as well as its out-of-competition programme.
Ita Mrinalini (An Unfinished Letter/Yours, Mrinalini), the first Bengali film from renowned filmmaker and actress Aparna Sen in nearly a decade, will make its Gulf premiere at DIFF. Sen, the winner of three National Film Awards and a number of international awards, stars in the film along with her actress daughter Konkana Sen Sharma, Rajat Kapoor, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Koushik Sen, Locket Chatterjee and German actress Suzanne Bernert.
From south India, veteran director Shyamaprasad’s new drama Elektra will make its international premiere at DIFF. Inspired by the ancient Greek myth, the Malayalam-language film focuses on the family drama of an aristocratic household in central Kerala. The film stars leading south Indian actress Nayantara, Nepali-Indian actress Manisha Koirala and National Award-winning actor Prakash Raj.
The northern region of Kashmir is the backdrop for two DIFF films this year. In Harud (Autumn), an Urdu feature focusing on the volatile events in the area over the last 20 years, Kashmir-based actor Aamir Bashir turns producer-director-writer.
The film is competing in DIFF’s Muhr AsiaAfrica competition and, as with other in-competition films, is making its Middle East premiere at DIFF and will be open to the public.
Kashmir is also a central element in Inshallah, Football, an in-competition documentary by Ashvin Kumar, the youngest Indian writer-director to secure an Academy Award nomination. Ashvin’s earlier short film Little Terrorist participated in more than 130 international festivals, picking up awards in 20. Inshallah, Football showcases a Kashmiri boy’s dream to play football in Brazil and what happens when a silent war gets in the way. The film will make its international premiere in Dubai. Shor “(Noise), a gritty drama and satire depicting the noise and chaos of Mumbai, India’s most populous city, is also expected to prove popular with local audiences.
The film, a Middle East premiere, weaves together three interconnected stories during the Ganesha festival. Based on a short film of the same name, “Shor” is produced by Ekta Kapoor, whose credits include the smash television hits Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, and stars Bollywood actor Tusshar Kapoor and Sendhil Ramamurthy of prime-time TV series “Heroes”.
Also included is Khule Darwaaze (Open Doors), a short film by Ashish Pande, a graduate from India’s Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute. The in-competition film tells the story of a young woman who survives in the present, thanks to living images from the past.
Dorothee Wenner, DIFF Consultant for the Subcontinent Programme, said the festival is proud to present examples of the various regions and dimensions of Indian cinema in its 2010 selection.
“This year, we have films from Kashmir, a part of the subcontinent with hardly any local film industry, and we also have examples of superbly sophisticated filmmaking and cutting-edge films with all-Indian star casts,” Wenner said.
“These films highlight the depth and breadth of Indian cinema and celebrate some of the country’s finest filmmakers and its emerging talent.” Additional selections from India will be announced in coming weeks, she added.
The seventh edition of Dubai International Film Festival 2010 will be held from December 12 to 19.
DIFF 2010 is held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah, the home of the Dubai International Film Festival, are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The event is supported by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
Accreditation for DIFF 2010 is now open, and the DIFF box office will open in late November.
More news from
The investment wave has the potential to drive a more rapid and efficient decarbonisation of the economy while increasing the supply of clean energy
Our journey to a more eco-friendly lifestyle did not involve any drastic changes, just a series of small, feasible steps to make changes that not only have a positive impact on the environment but also lead to financial savings
Inspections were conducted on designated non-financial business or professions sector companies, including real estate agents, precious metals, gemstone dealers
Former great turned television pundit highlights Pujara's experience of playing County cricket for Sussex
This will be the 83-year-old star's first child with the film producer; he has three other children with previous partners
The event brings together over 1,000 key F&B professionals and service providers
The island will have mixed-use walkable neighbourhoods and more than 80 hotels and resorts — plus, as much as 30 per cent of its energy requirements will come from renewable sources