The Mumbai Film Festival which has become quite popular
among cinephiles was almost down and out
this year after the major sponsor backed out in 2013.With just over a month
left, the festival was on the verge of being called off due to lack of funds. The
film personalities and other prominent people chipped in and against all odds,
the 16th edition of the festival was held.
Considering the time on hand, or
lack of it, it was a job well done. Ultimately, a film festival is about an
opportunity for film lovers to watch the crème de la crème of cinema from
around the world. Moreover, MAMI as the festival as better known, consistently
showcases some excellent Indian films, on that count it beats, the IFFI
(International Film Festival of India) hands down. Ship of Theseus, Fandry, Court, Katiyabaaz, Killa all were
premiered at MAMI while IFFI still keeps serving films in the Indian Panorama
that already did the rounds in the theatres and have been screened elsewhere as
well.
There are a few other things that
IFFI can learn from MAMI, for example the use of social media for disseminating
information and updates. Gone are the days where information has to be put up
on the notice board for everyone to see.
With a click of a mouse, you can reach out to thousands in no time with
the help of Twitter and Facebook. At the time of writing this, the MAMI twitter
handle (@mumbaifilmfest) had 11,400 followers.
IFFI (@iffi2014goa) meanwhile for some strange reasons perhaps of Feng
Shui or numerology keeps changing the handle every year. So far it has only 20
followers including yours truly.
The biggest difference that you
see at MAMI and IFFI is that of passion- the ones involved are passionate about
doing the right thing and getting things right. Anupama Chopra the well known
film-critic took over as the Creative Director of the festival at the last
moment and she is the woman responsible for the festival being held this year.
When I pointed out that at film-fests occasionally something’s do go wrong and
everything doesn’t work with military precision. Her prompt reply was “I want
to ensure that they do work with military precision.” Now that’s the spirit
that you can’t help but admire and it is a clear indication that the festival
is in very safe hands.
With film stars coming out in full support of the festival,
the Bollywood quotient was also high and what is the right proportion is
something that can debated. Sure it brings in the glamour but how much of it do
you actually need?
Here are the 10 Best Films I saw at the festival.
1. Court (Marathi, India) – The 27 year old
Chaitanya Tamhane’s debut feature won 3 awards in the International competition
after already having won 2 at the Venice fest. One of the most assuring debuts
in recent times, Court, about a poet who is implicated for abetting suicide
with his poetry is a knockout as a social commentary. There are no villainous
characters here, the system is the villain.
Sadly, the film is not in Indian Panorama at IFFI but don’t miss it when
it releases in theatres. Interestingly, the film has an international
distributor but not a local one, yet.
2. Klauni (Clownwise,
Czech) –It is always a great pleasure to discover unknown gems at a festival
and Klauni tops the list. An exceptional film about three former mime artists,
the narrative structure is admirable because the director doesn’t use the usual
trope of flashbacks to tell the story. Instead, he surprises you at every
juncture. Add this to your list of must-watch films.
3. Mommy (Canada) – The film has a lot of hype
surrounding it and every bit is worth it. It shared the Jury Prize at Cannes
this year along with a film that I truly loathed Godard’s Goodbye
Language. At 25, actor director Xavier
Dolan has ‘prodigy’ written all over his work.
Mommy also has an outstanding cast led by Anne Dorval.
4. Killa (Marathi, India) – Cinematographer turned
director, FTII alumini Avinash Arun’s debut feature Killa is one of the most
heartwarming and nostalgic films you’ll get to see. With plenty of laughs and
tender moments of friendship, Killa is an unforgettable trip backed by the best
ensemble cast of kids you’ll see on the big screen.
5. Stations of the Cross (Kreuzweg, Germany) – This
is a film will stay with you for a long time. The story of a young girl who
comes from a fundamental Christian family and goes out of her way to prove her
love for God won the Silver Bear and Ecumenical Jury prize at Berlin. Divided
in 14 chapters each one named after Christ’s Stations of the Cross (also known
as way of the Cross) and shot in a single take with a static camera, the film
leaves you shaken and stirred.
6. Boyhood (U.S.A) - If you haven’t heard of the
film, don’t bother with the details. Just go and watch it. Refund guaranteed if you don’t come out
satisfied.
7. Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem (Israel) –
This film shows that it is not only in India that we have Kafka’esque trials in
court. This is a story about a woman who wants a divorce but only the Rabbis
can decide about it that too after the consent of the husband but he refuses to
part with his wife. The case literally
drags on for years as the woman who fights for her independence.
8. What’s The Time In Your World? (Iran) – A
beautifully crafted Iranian romantic film starring Leila Hatami is a good
enough reason to watch this film. And no one ends a film with a precision, like
the Iranians do.
9. Difret –
An Ethiopian girl is abducted but she manages to escape from the clutches of
her captors by shooting one of them. She is in the hands of the police but her
ordeal just begins. Based on a true story, the film won the audience award at
Sundance and Berlin film festival.
10.
Fever – Two young men murder a woman whom they
don’t even know. We don’t see the murder but we are given an insight about why
they did it. Very broadly reminiscent of Hitchcock’s Rope , this has the Banality of evil angle to it.
Published in The Navhind Times on 25th Oct 2014
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