South Asian Film Fest for dissolving boundaries
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New Delhi: A selection of some 45 films from South Asian countries are being shown in three different theatres here in New Delhi – Kamani Auditorium, India Habitat Centre and Alliance Francaise.
Films play a very important role in South Asia, being the sole medium of entertainment available to masses at affordable price. Providing a platform to filmmakers to come together and discuss their work, exchange creative and technical expertise, ensure participation of policy makers and opinion leaders are some of the objectives behind organising such a festival. Participating countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Rahul Barua of South Asia Foundation, the organising body, put it succinctly: “It is all about dissolving boundaries.” It was also an occasion for the world premier of a Nepali film, Kagbeni directed by Bhushan Dahal. The film has used a particular digital format that has not even been used by the Indian film industry so far, despite being the largest in terms of sale of tickets and the number of films produced in a year. This year’s special focus, however, is on Pakistan. The festival opened with a Pakistani film, Mohabbataan Sachiyaa. Released recently in Pakistan, it will also be the first Pakistani film to be released in Indian theatres next month after a gap of nearly 40 years. There are 11 entries from Pakistan, including much talked about film, Reinventing the Taliban. The film is about rise of radical Islamic fundamentalism within Pakistan. Also from Pakistan is a documentary film, Afghanistan Unveiled, in which a journalist visits Afghanistan to find out the much trumpeted changes in the women’s life after American invasion. Or, is it just an American propaganda? When asked that Pakistan still does not allow Indian films to be screened in their theatres, Barua was optimistic: “We are trying for that. There are political barriers and we are trying to overcome them. It may take some time, but I am sure that some day in near future this will become possible.” Street plays are also part of the week-long film festival. A seminar, ‘Trends in Indian Cinema: Implications for South Asia’ will discuss the problems faced by the film industry in the region and highlight the opportunities that India can offer. |
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