Scorsese, George Harrison, Hudson and emotions rule 13th MFF
It was the day of legends at the 13th Mumbai Film Festival (MFF). There is just one more day to go but the festival spirit is as alive and kicking as on the opening day. There was no relief for the fest managers from the long queues and the disciplined, co-operating, and extra-ordinarily patient throng of festival delegates, an unprecedented phenomenon in an Indian Film Festival.
More than three hour long Martin Scorsese documentary George Harrison: Living In The Material World on the life and philosophy of the legendary Beatle stole the show today at the 13th MFF. The co-producer of the film Olivia Harrison was present too during the screening. The film is a tribute to her husband, considered the most enigmatic of all the Beatles.
The chairman of the festival’s competition jury Hugh Hudson held a master class today immediately after the screening of his Oscar winner CHARIOTS OF FIRE. The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) felicitated him. He is a highly acclaimed, and awarded ad filmmaker and has made some very successful ad films for British Rail, British Airways, Fiat Strada Figaro, and Benson & Hedges. He has also directed an election campaign film for the British Labour Party. Some of these films were screened during the master class.
Three of the films screened today won the enthusiastic approval of the emotionally inclined festival delegates. MONTEVIDEO – TASTE OF A DREAM by Dragan Bjelogrlic (Official Serbian Entry for 2012 Foreign Language Oscars) was a moving portrayal of a young but poor footballer’s rise to fame, and the Locarno selection AND IF WE ALL LIVE TOGETHER by Stephane Robelin, starring Jane Fonda and Geraldine Chaplin, was another beautiful heart-warming film in the Celebarte Age section. It has strong chances of winning the best film award in the section. DECLARATION OF WAR by Valerie Donzelli (Official French entry for 2012 Foreign Language Oscars) was also a touching film about a young couple’s struggle to save their baby from Cancer.
The two documentaries that were screened in The Real Reel (TRR) section THE GREEN WAVE by Ali Samadi Ahadi, a Sundance selection, and DAD MADE DIRTY MOVIES by Jordan Toborov, drew great audience response as well.
NOBEL CHOR by Suman Ghosh starring Mithun Chakroborty, and Harsh Chaya had its Indian premiere at the 13th MFF today. The film had its Asian premiere at the recently concluded Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and the world premiere at BFI London Film Fest. The cast and crew of the film were present during the screening. The
Open Forum discussed ‘The state of screen writing today…’ and the panel included Vinay Shukla, Saurabh Shukla, Abbas Tyrewala, Sagar Ballary, Dev Benegal and Atul Tiwari. While Vinay Shukla felt that in spite of professed good intentions, new ideas don’t find many takers and it finally turns out to be a game of survival for the writer by doing what he is asked to do. Dev Benegal concurred and averred that there are talented writers ready to challenge the mainstream, but find it difficult to get through the closed system. While Abbas Tyrewala narrated the history of decline in screen writing, Saurubh Shukla held the banner of hope aloft and Sagar Ballary joined the chorus.
The Open Forum sessions at MFF can be more provocative and productive provided they get away from the standard topics of debate and discussion and instead of celebrated panellists, focus more on the real issues and a truly open debate and discourse among festival participants.
RKS
