As a part of its sesquicentennial celebrations, the University of Mumbai has organized the International Film Festival at Somaiya College, Vidyavihar. It's a festival organized in association with the Films Division (Information and Broadcast Ministry of India.)
Being a student of media, I seek it as an opportunity to study some of the finest documentaries and short films made by several notable directors and producers.
The festival began today in a traditional manner. After the festivities, the brief introduction and messages from Principal Dr. Venketramani Sir, Prof. Mrs. Parvati -who spoke as a representative of the University and Prof. Mrs. Sangita Kohli- the BMM Co-ordinator at Somaiya. The Chief Guests Mr. Kuldeep Sinha and Mr. V Packirisami shared their thoughts with the students.
The festival began today in a traditional manner. After the festivities, the brief introduction and messages from Principal Dr. Venketramani Sir, Prof. Mrs. Parvati -who spoke as a representative of the University and Prof. Mrs. Sangita Kohli- the BMM Co-ordinator at Somaiya. The Chief Guests Mr. Kuldeep Sinha and Mr. V Packirisami shared their thoughts with the students.
What followed after was a Moviethon for around 6 hours... and it will follow for the next few days till Saturday.
The Review:
The Review:
All the films to be screened the for the week are specifically chosen ones.
The Festival got a great start with the screening of a great film- perhaps the most anticipated one- ‘Little Terrorist’, a short film by Mr. Ashwini Kumar. The film lasts for not more than 17 min. and in such a short span tells a story of a little boy who by mistake crosses the international Border and enters India- a story on which a 3 hours long Bollywood melodrama was also possible. But needless to say, I am glad that the filmmakers stuck to simplicity and that’s what makes it a good short film. Certainly, it got a lot of appreciation from the crowd.
It was a bit same with 'A Moment of Accepting Life', a 7 min. film by Robert Mclean (UK) It's a story of three souls who reach the sky meet St. Peter. Rest.... You must watch it..
Small or big, Time doesn't matter for a film. That's what this short short film prooved. And so proved another film- "Riding Solo to the Top of The World". This one is a 84 min. travelogue bye A lonesome traveler, Gaurav Jani who travels all the way from Mumbai to one of the remotest areas- Changthang Plateau a place in Laddakh near Indo- Chinese Border. It's a film shot by a one man unit- Gaurav himself and he astonished everyone with all his manners. Don't miss it if you ever get a chance to see it.
There were several other documetntries produced by the Films Division:
Lost Child (27 min) by Mulk Raj Anand is a notable one. It uses no dialogue and still keeps the viewers bound to it. Khilonewala, a film by S Sokhdev, conveys a strong message and is relevant even today.
Through a Lens Starkly by Kuldeep Sinha presents the history of documentary film making in India. A FD news magazine on Bhiwandi Tragedy leaves an impact- a shocking reality in the city- on the minds of the audiences. Lamp in the Niche by Girish Karnad throws light on the Sufi tradition. Moving Perspectives by Mrinal Sen talks about the changing Indian Scenario in the 1960s while Himalayan Wilderness picturizes the prosperous wild-life in the Himalayas. Arrival, a film by Mani Kaul focuses on issues of Industrialization.
However, I'm not so happy as there was a loose management behind the festival. So I'm not happy. Anyways, I'm too tired today, So I'll go to bed rightaway, bye!
