44th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, 2013

20^th - 30^th November, 2013

A DETAILED REPORT

• GRAND DIGNIFIED OPENING WITH A BANG BUT CLOSED WITH A WHIMPER
• FEST APPEARED MORE LOCAL–CENTRIC THAN INDI-INTERNATIONAL.
• AS PER ESG OUT OF 15000 REGISTERED DELEGATES 10000 WERE FROM GOA ONLY. ADD 400 PLUS MEDIA PERSONS AND IMAGINE THE CHAOS WHEN THE TOTAL SCREENING CAPACITY OF ALL FEST THEATRES IS LESS THAN 2500. IFFI AND ESG PERHAPS HARBOURING AN IMPRESSION THAT THE ‘HUGE NUMBER OF DELEGATE REGISTRATION IS THE SOLE CRITERIA OF SUCCESS, THUS PREFERRING QUANTITY OVER QUALITY.
• MANAGEMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES IN FULL CHAOS.
• BLAME GAME / LACK OF CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN IFFI DIRECTORATE (UNION GOVT.)AND ESG (STATE GOVT.) LEFT OUTSTATION DELEGATES AND MEDIA THOROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED, FUMING AND FRUSTRATED
• PRESENCE OF A FEW REKNOWNED INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL FILM DIGNATARIES AND A FEW GOOD FILMS SCREENED WERE THE SAVING GRACE.
• THE FILM BAZAAR UNDER THE AEGIS OF NFDC WAS A WELL MANAGED AND SUCCESSFUL EVENT WITH SOME BUSINESS / MARKETING GAINS FOR FILM MAKERS.EQUALLY REWARDING AFFAIR WAS THE DELIBERATIONS IN “OPEN FORUM” MANAGED BY THE FFSI AND IDPA.

DECADE BEST OPENING CEREMONY AT GOA

A great dignified, serene, culturally rich and flawless opening ceremony heralded the 44th IFFI befitting the ‘Brand India’ in International arena.

For the first time in the decade old history of Goa IFFI, a doyen legendary living cultural ambassador of India Pandit Birju Maharaj himself not only presented the glimpses of age old Kathak Gharana but also performed in his own inimitable classical style with a Jugalbandi with another stalwart Sitar maestro Ustad Nishat Khan followed by his own composed popular film choreographed songs of Kathak dance form in various films like Mughl-E-Azam, Pakeeza, Dil to Pagal Hai, Devdas etc. performed by his own pupil live on stage. And this cultural feast was staged in never before presence of movie celebrities, legendary film singer Asha Bhosle, other Kathak exponent thespians Kamal Hassan and Waheeda Rehman (recipient of first IFFI Cinema Centenary award for Indian Film personality of the year) Rekha, and Chief Guest Oscar winner actor Susan Sarandon, Jiri Menzel (Recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award in International category), Minister of I & B Manish Tewari, Goa’s Governor and Chief Minister, besides a number of Bollywood celebrities Rani Mukherjee, Jackie Shroff, Ramesh and Kiran Sippy, Prem Chopra, Divya Dutta, R Madhvan, Manoj Bajpai, Nana Patekar, Huma Qurreshi, Pawan Malhotra, Rakesh Omprakash Mehra etc.etc. It was a visual cultural extravaganza and deserving Lifetime Achievement Awardees. The impact of the Inaugural cultural and other events were serene and befitting for India’s stature in International arena. Appropriate hosts of the evening were actors Rajat Kapoor and Suhasini Ratnam (Mrs. Mani Ratnam).

In his speech I & B Minister Manish Tewari made a point that “IFFI is not a celebration of any brand but the spirit of Indian Cinema”. True, but then why not also make it “Brand India” before the International Audience? The claim of IFFI director Shankar Mohan that this year, the emphasis was on selection of films which are nominated for Oscar 2014.Well, if it was so, they why our own country’s Oscar nominated film ‘The Good Road” or even the next best award winner Indian film “Lunch Box” was not part of the fest, especially when both these films are from NFDC?

• The opening ceremony was followed by the Inaugural film “Don Juans”.
• The film is nothing much to talk about, except that it is the latest film from the IFFI Lifetime Achievement award Winner Czech film maker Jiri Menzel.
• Compared to the grand Inaugural event and starry presence; the Closing Ceremony was almost lack lustre and appeared to be an effort to appease the local Goans, with a specially composed dance –music extravaganza by the celebrity artist Remo Fernandez and his band of people known for the Indi-Pop mix culture. Thanks to him that he did not go berserk in crossing the solemnity of Indian fervour while playing flute based on North East folklore. Selecting award winning films and persons is a sole prerogative of the Jury and it is their and not the media / audience perception that may count. The glamour and star quotient of closing ceremony consisted of Asha Parekh as Chief Guest, starlets Neetu Chandra, Rajeshwari Sachdev, with hubby actor Varun Badola, Deepshikha, Jimmy Shergill and Malayasian-Chinese glamour star Michelle Yeoh. Bollywood director Rohit Shetty was felicitated for having shot maximum of hit films in Goa. The hosts were up-coming actor Gulshan Devaivah and glamorous Tisca Chopra.
• The closing film of the fest was indeed a rewarding experience in the inspiring film “Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom”, depicting the life and times of Bharat Ratna and Gandhi of South Africa Nelson Mandela.
• Although the film was one of the nominations for the Centenary Film Award, unfortunately it failed to win. But the audiences were lucky to view this film just six days prior to his sad demise.

BLEMISHES

As for the mis-management, all round chaos and lack of co-ordination in administration and facilitation between the IFFI Directorate, ESG and PIB (for Media), it will merely be a repetition of what I have been writing year after year. Suffice to say that in spite of lack of Festival Infrastructure of International magnitude and missing basic eating (Veg) facilities; the number of registrants topped by daily pass holders burst to the seams adding more frustration and making confusion confounded.

First day screening schedules in all theatres had gone haywire with different timings printed in schedule and the actual print time on the computerised tickets and blame game was played well with the angry National / International protesting delegates. This and many other shortcomings could have been corrected by proper communication, but it was absent. While the media persons were unable to cover all the press conferences and events due to dovetailing of film screen timings; the fest lost heavily on publicity and promotion. Even a ticket holder media person was denied entry in the auditorium if she / he is late by five minutes, due to archaic rules thus forcing them to avoid the press meets. Of course, the new additions, if we call them ‘Amenities’, were more beer lounges, mobile chemical lavatories and drinking water stations in the main Festival venue. NO USE HARPING ON THIS AS PERHAPS IT WAS A PART OF POLITICAL GAME PLAYED BY TWO RIVAL RULING POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE ELECTION TIME DEFILING EACH OTHER FOR BLEMISHES.

Category	Winner*	Film	Prize	Country
Best Film :	Beatriz’s War	(A Guerra da Beatriz)	Golden Peacock + Rs. 40 Lakh	East Timor - Australia
Best Director :	Kaushik Ganguly	(Apur Panchali) Apu’s Song	Silver Peacock + Rs.15 Lakh	India (Bengali)
Best Male Actor:	Alon Moni   Aboutboul	A Place in Heaven	Silver Peacock + Rs.10 Lakh	Israel
Best Female Actor:	Boczarska	Magdalena In Hiding	Silver Peacock + Rs.10 Lakh	Poland
Special Jury Award (Film):	Thou Gild’s Even	(SenAydinlatrisin Geceyi)	Silver Peacock + Rs. 15 Lakhs	Turkey
Centenary Award  (Film) :	Meghe Dhaka Tara	(A Cloud Capped Star)	Silver Peacock + Rs.10 Lakhs	India (Bengali)

* (All Winners also got a Certificate of Merit with Citation)

Synopsis of Award Winning Films

Beatriz’s War (East Timor-Australia)

This film won the top award as the best film. The film is a passionate story of one woman’s conviction to remain true to the man she loves. Sixteen years after Beatriz’s husband disappears, she is troubled by his mysterious return. But as time passes, Beatriz becomes convinced that Tomas is an imposter, and that she has mistaken a stranger for her husband.

Scripted and directed by Luigi Acquisto along with Bety Reis, Irim Tolentino essays the steller role of Beatriz with aplomb with adequate emotions. Although the film so far has not participated in any festival, Jury selected this as the best film of 44th IFFI, mainly for its moving treatment and touching human sensitivity.

Apur Panchali (India-Bengali)

This is a Bangla film, a real life story inspired by Subir Banerjee, the child artist who played the iconic role of Apu in Satyajit ray’s “Pather Panchali”.

Ironically Subir Banerjee never acted in a film again. On his way to receive an award in a film festival in Germany, he reminiscences about his life.

Scripted and directed by Kaushik Ganguly, who was rewarded the best director award for this film which he made with realism of actual life of a person without nay dramatics or cinematic liberties.

A Place In Heaven (Israel)

The film deals with a story of an young officer in Israel Army returns from another successful military operation. He is so hungry that he accepts the army cook’s proposition of an omelette, in return for a place in heaven. Some forty years later, his son decides to find that cook to convince him to cancel the contract.

Written and directed by Yossi Madmony, the film stars actor Alon Moni Aboutboul who brilliantly essayed the lead role for which he was rewarded the best actor award by the Jury. The film had also participated in many International Fests.

In Hiding (Poland)

In the last days of World War II in Poland, Janina lives alone with her father following her mother’s tragic death. Her father offers shelter to Ester, a young Jewish woman, who is his friends’ daughter. At first Janina questions her father’s decision, but over time she begins to take an interest in the new resident. Her curiosity slowly gives way to fascination.

Scripted and directed by Jan Kidawa-Blonski, the pivotal role of Janina is played with touching sensitivity and finesse by Boczarska, for which she was awarded the best female actor award in IFFI.

Thou Gild’st The Even (Turkey)

This film, after participating in Istanbul and Toronto International Film fests was a competition entry in IFFI, where it received the Special Jury award.

In a small Turkish town, Cemal is an assistant referee in football, Yasmin works in an egg factory, Defne is a street vendor. Cemal can see thru’ the walls, has no expectations out of life and looks for a way out with Yasmin- who can move objects with her fingers. But Defne muddles things up.

This film is an effective mix of human frailties and super- natural powers, sensitively treated by the producer director Onur Unlo.

MEGHE DHAKA TARA (INDIA-BENGALI)

This 2012 Black and White movie is inspired from the life and works of yesteryear Bengali master film maker / director Ritwik Ghatak, who had made his masterstroke film of the same name which had won him International laurels as director. Besides giving an account of Ghatak’s life, the film also depicts the socio-political environment of West Bengal during the Tebhaga and Naxalite movements.

Scripted and directed by Kamleshwar Mukherjee, it stars Saswata Chattopadhyay as the dramatist-intellectual and Ananya Chatterjee as his wife and both have given superb portrayals as realistically as sit could have been in the life and works of late maestro Ghatak. The special jury selected this film deserving the Indian Films Centenary award.

Memorable Films of the Fest

HUSH – GIRLS DON’T SCREAM (IRAN)

This was a sort of masterpiece film from the well known Iranian writer- film maker Pouran Derakhashandeh. After bagging the best film award of Fair International film Festival 2013, this film was a part of international competition films, but unfortunately missed to get any award. The story is based on the horrendous realities of sexual molestation of child girls which torment the lives of the girls throughout the growing up process, if parents do not share the grief. Such carelessness and indifference on the part of parents leads to eight year old child Shirin meeting with such an incident. For a long time after the mishap, the soul wounds remain and affect her life as she could not find any one to talk to or share her pain. In fact the hurt deepens and eventually makes her extra sensitive. on her wedding day itself she happens to witness such a molestation and, in a fit of anger kills the molester to save the child. This follows the long trail of police and court trials but in absence of the carelessness, meekness and societal fear of the parents not to make public the humiliation faced by their child resulting in the grave consequences for the Shirin.

Pouran, the director herself being a woman, has very touchingly scripted and directed the movie extracting near perfect emotions from the lead actress Shahab Husseini and when the grim end of the film comes, audience remain spell bound for some time bitten by their own conscience of the fearful societal systems.

THE COFFIN MAKER (INDIA - English / Konkani)

In her debut feature film itself, the ad-film maker Veena Bakshi has created a very neat and clean film, giving a message to one and all how to live life blissfully and enjoy to the fullest extent. This was also a part of Competition films.

Based in a small village in Goa, The Coffin Maker is the story of Anton Gomes, who carries on his family tradition of carpentry making coffins. Circumstances make him jobless and Penniless, but still cynical and disillusioned Anton exists with his wife and son, till one day the Death challenges his life. He plays the game of chess with the Death lord and learns many ways of living and enjoying life with joy of giving. The story is filmed in a remote part of Goa which is till conservative and orthodox a far cry from the modern tourist beaches and places of scenic Goa.

The film’s stature is heightened by the near perfect portrayal of aged Gomes Couple by the real life thespian couple Naseeruddin Shah and wife Ratna Pathak Shah. Benjamin Gilani and Randeep Hooda fit well in supporting roles. Veena Bakshi’s direction is simple but flawless to make this message filled film absorbing. Music by maestro Bappie Lahiri and his son Tutul have enlivened the Goan-Konkani folklores.

Do not miss this film when released commercially in cinemas.

JAL (INDIA-HINDI)

Another Ad-Docu-TV shows maker and actor Girish Malik has produced and directed as his debut feature film and he has undoubtedly succeeded in communicating the grim battle the people of Rann of Kutch face for finding life saving water.

Bakka is a young water diviner, known for his skill to find water in the desert with the help of his mystic drowsing rod. Kim, a Europian comes to Kutch and finds that Flamingo chicks are dying. The Europian Ecological Society decides to create artificial ponds for the birds but all their scientific methods fail to find water. So Kim to Bakka for help. He succeeds for them. But further events unfold as greed, jealousy and the desperation to survive bring out the darkest side of human character.

The film has fast tempo, good direction by Malik and actors Purab Kohli, Taninishtha Chatterjee, Kirti Kulhari, Mukul Dev and Yashpal Sharma and Saidah Jules have given their best in playing their respective characters, but Purab Kohli as young water diviner is outstanding. Music is scored and sung by Sonu Nigam and Bikram Ghosh akin to Kutchi fervour.

In the past late K A Abbas had made “Do Boond Paani” for Rajsthan deserts on the similar subject. Now the famed film maker Shekhar Kapoor is ready to launch his International film “Paani” to find and conserve the life saving water.

UNFORGIVEN (Japan)

This film was screened as a part of Country focus and reminded us of the Great tradition of Samurai, as was made immortal by the master craftsman Akiro Kurusava. Film is directed by Sang-il Lee in a manner which will do justice to the subject with not a single dull moment. The year Japan was passing thru’ the rigours of Kings and wars, it was said that only two real Samurais are left in the country. One was a farmer in a far away place raising his family honestly after promising his wife not to resort to any human killing when she was dying. The other one was an old man. There was a powerful gangster in a remote hilly place where he was the king and was having his own army to safeguard and run his illegal activities including a full fledged flesh trade. A day came when the prostitutes revolted against his tyranny and announced a prize of one million yuans for the person who kills the goon tyrant. Both samurais go to help them. The younger and powerful Samurai was not willing to indulge in any violence but was forced to move to save the honours of suffering prostitutes and other humans and accomplished his mission.

OTHER GOOD FILMS OF THE FEST

LONG WALK TO FREEDOM (UK / SOUTH AFRICA)

This was a closing film. As said earlier, the film is a chronicle of former South African President and the freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, called Gandhi of South Africa for his anti-apartheid work and peaceful freedom struggle with non-violence, including his family life love with Winnie Mandela (his second wife). It is also a story of a leader who transformed himself into the very embodiment of his country’s greatest hopes to gain freedom.

Film is produced by the writer of the book "Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom” Anant Singh, scripted by Williom Nicholson and directed by Justin Chodwick. Actor Idris Elbo in the role of Mandela is just tailor made.

The film assumes a gigantic proportion as a Fitting Tribute to the great Mandela who passed away just six days after the screening of this film.

PUPPY LOVE (Belgium / France)

Diane is a mysterious and lonely teenager, sharing a special, intense bond with her father. The arrival of Julia in the neighbourhood begins disrupting and disturbing her life. Diane, who wants to break the bounds of childhood (Virginity) at any price, goes thru’ the most dramatic experience of her life in a span of six months. Closer to Julia, she turns her back on morality. She heedlessly gives in to her impulses and desires without paying any attention to the consequences.

The film is scripted and directed by Delphine Lehericey with directorial sincerity to show easy action flow. Earlier the film was an entry in the San Sabastian International Film Fest, where it was well appreciated.

NO AUTUMN, NO SPRING (Equador / Columbia)

This film is a well appreciated in International Fests, having won with seven awards so far plus a Honourable mention in Global Film initiative (USA).

Scripted and directed by Ivan Mora Manzano, the film is a portrait of Guayaquil’s erratic, disenchanted middleclass youths and their pursuit for happiness. Lucas is a law student who believes in the anarchy of imagination. When his ideals are shattered, he becomes addicted to sleeping pills. Paula sells pills around the city while she collects stories of happiness with her tape recorder. Absence of her father and a physical condition makes her deal with pain, since childhood. This is a love story tole like a puzzle in which Paula seeks her happiness as Lucas strives to be awake. Lead cast Angela Penaherrera and EnzoMacchiavello acted well.

BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOUR (France)

This Palme d’Ore (top prize at Cannes 2103) winner and Fipresci award winner is much touted, the best lesbian film so far, already screened in India in Fests, was naturally the most sought after film; not because of its blantant sexually passionate scenes but because the story, for the first time is replete with moral and message. As the bi-sexual couple expects a complete loyalty and integrity, without cheating from the other partner, some emotional and loyalty angle is effectively communicated in the film. Since already much is written on this film, I will not add any more details.

Directed by Abdellatif Kechiche it stars two lesbian partners in Leo Seydoux and Adele Exarchopoulos who played their parts without an iota of inhibition.

TWO MOTHERS (Germany)

This film also is in lesbian genre. Two women – Katija and Isabella are happily married. When they decide to have a child, hey face unexpected obstacles. Most fertility clinics don’t offer treatment for homos. They a find A traer who sells utilities for an insemination at home. As time passes, Katija developes doubts and discovers that Isabella is willing to betray their relationship in order to fulfil her wish to get pregnant. Although this films communicates the same ‘Possessive bond and marriage integrity as the above said French Lesbian film, it did not produce the same effect on viewer’s psychic. Film was an award winner at Berlin Fest. Director Anne Zohra Berrached has done a good job and extracted good performances from both the Mother characters.

The Young and Beautiful (France)

This film has also been screened in other fests in India prior to IFFI. Audience craved for it because this is also full of sex. Although it was an entry in Competition at Cannes, if could not win any award.

17 year old Isabelle is beautiful and beginning to explore her sexuality.

The film takes place over the course of a year and is divided into four segments. The arc of the film covers Isabelle’s journey of losing her virginity and choosing a life of prostitution; from the sexual awakening through her exploration of love to the search for her identity. To clients, she used to tell her age as 20 so that the minority factor does not bother them. Of course, her family came to know about her adventures when it was too late.

Scripted and directed by Francois Ozon, who had made six films earlier, has handled the touchy subject well, but he could not avoid titillating the audience. Pascal Marti has done an excellent cinematography with graphic details. As young Isabelle, actress Marine Vacth has played with adequate expressions in all situations.

THE PAST (France / Italy)

The reknowned Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, the winner of the Golden Globe and Oscar in foreign language category for his last film “A Separation”; this film appears to be a take off from his earlier masterpiece.

Story deals with a young man of Iranian origin (Ahmad) who comes back to finalize his divorce procedure, to Paris after four years with her ex-French wife and her daughters from her previous marriage. He finds that she is in a Relationship with an Arab, who has a son and whose wife is in a coma.The relationship of the older daughter and mother is strained because the daughter does not like her mother’s relationship with that Arab.He finds himself goofed up to get out from his past.

Scripted by Asghar Farhadi himself, the film is quite absorbing and full of emotional upheaval at every level. Actor Berenicebejo as the French woman and Tahar Rahim as her ex-Iranian husband have given good performances but Pauline Burlet as her elder daughter is brilliant as a teen age rebel.

The film was in Competition section at Cannes where Berenicebojo received the best actress award. At Durban International Fest, it got best screenplay award.

ONLY GOD FORGIVES (DENMARK-THAILAND)

This film is another Winner of Palme d’Or at 2013 Cannes Film Fest besides being a winner of Official Competition Award at Sydney International film Fest. Written and directed by the veteran film maker Nicolas Winding Refn

Full of mafia, violence and vengeance.

Julian, an American fugitive from justice, runs a boxing club in Bangkok as affront for his drug business. His mother Crystal, the head of avast criminal organisation, arrives from the U S to collect the body of her favourite son Billy. Julian’s brother has just been killed after having savagely murdered a young prostitute. Crazy with rage and thirsty for vengeance, his mother demands the heads of his murderers from Julian. Julian, has to confront Chang, a mysterious retired policeman- leading a vigilante group, who has resolved to rid the place of vices including brothels and fight clubs. Mayhem

Follows. All throughout, the film keeps a fast pace with suspense intact.

Julian played by actor Ryan Gosling and Crystal, his mother played by Kristin Scoff Thomas have excelled in their portrayals.

EUROPA EUROPA (GERMANY – FRANCE)

This film was a part of retrospective section of the stalwart film maker (Director-Writer) Ms. Agnieszko Holland, although it was her first film made in 1991 when it had earned the Golden Globe award as the best Foreign language film. Her latest film ‘Burning Bush” was a special presentation at MAMI’s 2013 Mumbai film Fest.

Film tells the story of a young Jewish man obliged to adopt communist ideology when he flees to the Soviet Union, and then Nazism when German’s invade Germans invade the orphanage where he had taken refuge. The Jewish youth escapes naked hiding in a barrel. He calls an acquaintance to bring him clothes. He comes back to his house and finds his family together sans his sister who was killed by Nazis. The father who was Polish, decides to go back his native land Poland. Actor Sally perel has given a brilliant performance as the young Jewish man.

CIRCLES (SERBIA- Germany- France)

This film was screened in world cinema section of IIFI. Earlier it had won the World Cinema dramatic Competition award at Sundance Film Fest, a Special Jury award of Berlinale Forum. It was also an official entry of Serbia at 86 th Academy awards for best foreign film.

Directed by Srdan Golubovic, it tells an interesting story of human on one side and humane duty on the other.

During Serbian war, an army officer Tudor hurls abuse and hits a Muslim kiosk owner Haris because his brand of cigarettes was sold out. Soldier Marko intervenes and manages to save Haris, but is beaten to death by his own comrades. Twelve years later, when the war is over, an incident casts a long shadow over the lives of all these men. In Belgrade Tudor, badly injured in an accident, ends up on an operating table of Doctor Nebojsa, a friend of Marko. In nearby Halle, Haris also lives and works. In spite of his enmity with Tudor, Nebojsa saves his life by operating him successfully.

This was a moving document of both Bad and good sides of human beings.