Khanna’s collection, which brought the curtains down on day 3, was in association with Ajio Luxe…reports Asian Lite News
Bollywood actor Sanjay Kapoor’s daughter Shanaya turned showstopper for ace fashion designer Anamika Khanna’s AK-OK Spring Summer ’24 collection at the Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI.
Sharing about walking the ramp for Khanna, Shanaya told reporters: “It feels very special. When I got styled for the first time in my life it was an Anamika Khanna outfit and I started with these combat boots and I felt so myself. So, finally walking for her for the AK-OK collection means a lot.”
“The embroidery is inspired by the biker vibe. The hair and make-up has been kept super grungy and carefree. Had a good time,” Shanaya added.
Khanna’s collection, which brought the curtains down on day 3, was in association with Ajio Luxe.
The designer took her inspiration from the intrepid spirit of a nomadic biker from Orissa’s Bonda Tribe. With Bonda colours, motifs and embroideries playing a stunning factor in the collection.
The garments were a collection of jackets, slouchy pants, drapes, and kaftans in whites, ivories, and blacks, expanding over to a range of prints and bolder colours like red and pink.
The designer combined thick thread work embroidery inspired by biker studs to reinvent the idea of urban wear.
Talking about the showstopper outfit, Khanna said: “This was the most fun thing I did in a long time. I mentioned to Shanaya that it’s about somebody from the tribe becoming this biker and going into the city and having fun.”
“This look that she is wearing is actually inspired from the tribe and then the biker element to it which we derived from all the studs that you see.”
More than 15 curated projects by creators with a strong presence in the Indian film industry are being presented at CIFF/market. CIFF will also feature workshops, master classes, and panel discussions for the benefit of festival and industry delegates…reports Asian Lite News
Chandigarh, which is set to host its first international film festival — Cinevesture International Film Festival (CIFF) from March 27 to 31 — is not just meant to expose the audiences in the region to around 80 of the finest international and Indian films, but will also boast of a CIFF/market to facilitate the business and craft of filmmaking.
The film festival will open with the Cannes Award-winning French film ‘The Taste of Things’ starring Juliette Binoche, and close with South Korea’s highest-grossing film of 2024 to date — the Horror-Mystery-Thriller ’Exhuma’ (Pamyo) which premiered at the 2024 Berlinale.More than 15 curated projects by creators with a strong presence in the Indian film industry are being presented at CIFF/market. CIFF will also feature workshops, master classes, and panel discussions for the benefit of festival and industry delegates.“We are expecting a lot of potential producers and filmmakers to come face-to-face. There are also a lot of producers who wish to enter the industry but do not know how to. For filmmakers, it is very tough to raise funds in this industry. And setting up venues and meetings will help,” Nina Lath, Founder & CEO of Cinevesture told IANS in a special interaction.This former MD of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), who joined the organisation in 2006 after quitting the Indian Revenue Service, was instrumental in giving NFDC a new lease on life. It was under her leadership that NFDC produced or co-produced some very fine films — Dibakar Banerjee’s ‘Shanghai’, Qaushiq Mukherjee’s ‘Tasher Desh’, Gurvinder Singh’s debut film, ‘Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan’, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and won three National Awards, Anand Gandhi’s ‘Ship of Theseus’ and Ritesh Batra’s ‘The Lunchbox’.She also set up the successful Film Bazaar, the Screenwriters Labs, and the Viewing Room. Almost every movie in the WIP Lab made it to international film festivals.“Chandigarh is an interesting city with design as its genesis. In terms of logistics too, it makes a lot of sense to hold something of this scale here. Not to mention the huge student population from across the region that comes here to study,” says Lath, revealing that they want CIFF to be an annual feature though this time they are testing waters.With films from India, Serbia, France, Bangladesh, and the US besides many in Indian languages including Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi, and Malayalam, she stresses that the audiences will be the main stakeholders. “Precisely why we are doing ‘People Choice awards’ – only they get to decide what works and what does not. Beena Paul, the Artistic Director, and VS Kundu, the former Head of the National Films Division of India as the Director of the Film Festival are great assets for CIFF.”Talking about the Children’s section where they will also be taught how to make films, and a host of workshops and masterclasses that will be organised during the event, Lath adds, “I have always believed that it is paramount for children to be exposed to the arts from a young age. The workshops and masterclasses line-up is very interesting, and we expect excellent participation. For instance, Emmy Award winner Chase Guttman will conduct a workshop on Drone photography and cinematography.”Talk to her about the current state of independent cinema in India, and Lath is optimistic. She is however not in favour of giving subsidies. ”New filmmakers need support. Filmmaking is not like other arts. A lot of careers are at stake, there is an obligation to make a return on investment. Precisely what, at CIFF, we will be doing a lot of workshops and looking at things from the point of view of producers. It is important to understand how people are responding to movies. Investment in the projects, sales, and the director and the writer are not the only people needed. Everyone needs to have a skill set. There is a gap in demand and supply in terms of skill sets. So. how as a producer does one analyse a script, we want to address these questions.”Even as numerous film festivals have started in smaller towns in the country, for example, cities in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, UP, and Madhya Pradesh, Lath feels there is a need for more. “This development is healthy. Audiences get acquainted with the fact that there is another kind of cinema that exists too — beyond the mainstream. Even if the scale is small, more such festivals should come up. They precipitate conversations around independent films which is extremely important.”Lamenting the demise of the film club culture, she feels while there is a need to revive them, they must not restrict their conversations to analysing the films just on the thematic level but also look at production values.
A New Era of Film Culture
Chandigarh is set to host its first international film festival — Cinevesture International Film Festival (CIFF) from March 27 to 31. The opening film of the festival is Cannes Award-winning French film ‘The Taste of Things’ starring Juliette Binoche. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Anh Hung Tran, the historical romantic drama won the award for Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023.
The closing film is South Korea’s highest-grossing film of 2024 to date — the Horror-Mystery-Thriller ’Exhuma’ (Pamyo), which premiered at the 2024 Berlinale. Both the opening and closing films will have their India premieres at the festival and shall be open-air screenings in the Government Museum & Arts Gallery, Sector 10, the main venue of CIFF 2024.The festival will showcase 24 award-winning international features in the World Cinema section, 17 indie gems in the India Unveiled, 27 shorts in Brief Encounters, a curated section of children’s films and timeless classics. Programming highlights include internationally acclaimed films like 2024 Oscar contender Holocaust drama, ’The Zone of Interest’, Palme d’Or Winner and Academy Nominee Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monster, 2023 Academy Award-winner, ’The Whale’ starring Brendan Fraser, a gripping documentary which won at Berlinale, ’Seven Winters in Tehran’, Singapore’s Oscar entry, ’Breaking Ice’, the Roshan Mathew starrer ’Paradise’, and the animation feature ’Sultana’s Dreams’ among others. Award-winning Indian features and docs such as Toronto International Film Festival winner Marathi film ‘Sthal’, Venice Film Festival film ‘Stolen’, Rima Das’ Assamese film ’Tora’s Husband’, Deepa Mehta’s TIFF film, ’I am Sirat’, auteur filmmaker Gurvinder Singh’s Punjabi feature ’Adh Chanani Raat’, Harjit Singh’s documentary on the late Punjabi painter and writer’ Imroz-A Walk Down The Memory Lane’, Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Malayalam film ’Malaikottai Vaaliban’, Sreemoyee Singh’s documentary, ’And, Towards Happy Alleys’, an ode to Iranian cinema and poetry featuring Jafar Panahi, Varun Grover’s short ’Kiss’ and the Riz Ahmed starrer short ’Dammi’. International features, ‘Roleless’, ’The Tenants’ will have India premieres at the festival and short films Dammi and Suddenly TV will have their Asia premiere.
A host of stars will be attending the festival including Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal, Roshan Mathew, Gulshan Devaiah, Varun Grover, Rasika Duggal, Rashmeet Kaur (singer), Hansal Mehta, Shekhar Kapur, Sudhir Mishra, and Tahira Kashyap Khurrana, among others. The opening and closing films will be open air screenings in the Government Museum & Arts Gallery, Sector 10, the main venue of CIFF 2024. Three more Open Air screenings are scheduled of the classics ’Jalsaghar’ (Satyajit’s Ray’s 1958 musical), Guru Dutt’s ’Kaagaz Ke Phool’ (1959) and ’The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone’ (2020), a recut of the original Godfather 3 by Francis Ford Coppola to mark the 30th anniversary of the film. The open air screen is 60 feet wide. An experiential cinema exhibition to celebrate the centenary of Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand is being set up in the Rose Garden Underpass in collaboration with National Film Archives (NFDC) and students of Chandigarh College of Architecture. A screening of Children’s films is open to all children from the ages of 10-17 years at 9 a.m. from March 27-31 at Cinepolis Jagat. This inaugural edition of the festival will also feature CIFF/market to facilitate the business and craft of filmmaking. More than 15 curated projects by creators with a strong presence in the Indian film industry are being presented at CIFF/market. CIFF will also feature workshops, master classes and panel discussions for the benefit of festival and industry delegates. The festival is being organised by Cinevesture Pvt. Ltd. Nina Lath is the Founder and CEO of the company. The festival is supported by the Government Museum & Art Gallery, Chandigarh, Department of Tourism Chandigarh, and Chandigarh Administration. VS Kundu IAS (Retd) and a former Head of the National Films Division of India has come aboard as the Director of the Film Festival and industry veteran Bina Paul as the Artistic Director of CIFF. The advisory board of CIFF has the presence of Bahubali star and leading film producer, Rana Daggubati, Jerome Paillard, who served as Head of the Cannes Film Market, Festival de Cannes from 1995 to 2022, Nicole Guillemet, former Co-Director of Sundance Film Festival, the celebrated Indian filmmaker Ajitpal Singh (Fire in the Mountains and Tabbar) and other experts in the field of film making.
The main venues of CIFF will be the Government Museum and Art Gallery (GMAG), Sector 10 and Cinepolis theatres in Sector 17 Chandigarh. Nina Lath, Founder and CEO of Cinevesture said: “Cinevesture International Film Festival is envisaged as a platform for the two key stakeholders, namely audiences and producers. Its various verticals have been designed keeping the same in mind. We trust that in time, CIFF will serve as a reliable festival offering high-quality content for audiences and enhanced business opportunities for the film industry.” CIFF Director, V. S. Kundu said: “CIFF is the first global-scale cinema event to ever happen in Chandigarh with the support of Chandigarh Tourism, the Department of Culture and Chandigarh Administration. It is a truly international film festival designed to match the best international film festivals.” “We endeavour to build a strong foundation for an annual event that the global film industry will look forward to, and which will foster effective business relationships between producers and distributors and the filmmakers of the region,” he said. Bina Paul, Artistic Director of CIFF said: “This year at the launch of the Cinevesture film festival, the focus of programming is to bring a potpourri of cinema to the people of Chandigarh. There will be something for everyone. Festival favourite International and Indian films for film buffs and for students, and the latest trends in Korean, Japanese and French cinema will be on show.
Children will get a chance to see films from many parts of the world, hearing stories they may otherwise not. Attending filmmakers, producers, and technicians will interact with audiences and share their experiences, thus enriching the viewing experience. A film festival opens up the world.” Naveen, Director, Government Museum & Arts Gallery Chandigarh said: “While the museum has been attracting diverse audiences and promoting cultural understanding through its exhibitions, its support for the Cinevesture International Film Festival marks a significant step forward in positioning itself in Chandigarh as a hub of cultural exchange and enrichment. This will not only lead to an increase in footfalls but also provide an opportunity to showcase the museum’s facilities as a venue for cultural events, potentially attracting future collaborations and partnerships.”
Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, Article 370 revolves around the escalation of terrorism in Kashmir and the government’s resolve to abolish Article 370…reports Asian Lite News
Cinemas this week are offering cinephiles a movie bonanza with many titles released across various genres. From action to comedy, to an Oscar-nominated movie, the lineup of titles being played at cinemas this week has something to offer for everyone.
Titles like Article 370 and The Teachers’ Lounge are the talk of the town. So, buckle up, put on your movie glasses, grab that bucket of popcorn, and check out the movies to watch this week. The complete list is below:
Article 370
Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, Article 370 revolves around the escalation of terrorism in Kashmir and the government’s resolve to abolish Article 370. Yami Gautam takes on the lead role in the film as an agent from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), supported by a talented cast including Priyamani, Arun Govil, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Skand Thakur, Ashwini Koul, and Kiran Karmarkar, among others.
The Teachers’ Lounge
The Teachers’ Lounge is a German drama film directed by İlker Çatak, who co-wrote the screenplay with Johannes Duncker. The film stars Leonie Benesch, Michael Klammer, Rafael Stachowiak, and Anne-Kathrin Gummich, among others. The movie centers around Teacher Carla Nowak, who decides to intervene when one of her students is suspected of theft. Caught between her ideals and the school system, the consequences of her actions threaten to overwhelm her.
All India Rank
Written and directed by Varun Grover, All India Rank is a slice-of-life dramedy set in the late 1990s. It follows the story of Vivek, a 17-year-old teenager who is sent away from home to a prep school to prepare for the highly competitive IIT entrance examination. Bodhisattva Sharma portrays the titular role, supported by a talented cast of veterans including Sheeba Chaddha, Kailash Gowthaman, and Saadat Khan, among others.
Mean Girls
Mean Girls is an American musical teen comedy film helmed by directors Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., with a screenplay by Tina Fey. The ensemble cast features Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp, Auliʻi Cravalho, and Christopher Briney, with Fey and Tim Meadows reprising their roles from the original film. The story revolves around new student Cady Heron, who finds herself catapulted to the top of the social hierarchy when she joins the elite group of popular girls known as the Plastics, led by the manipulative Regina George. However, Cady’s world takes a tumultuous turn when she falls for Regina’s former flame, leading to a series of confrontations and conflicts within their clique.
Crakk: Jeetegaa Toh Jiyegaa
Crakk: Jeetega Toh Jiyegaa is a high-octane action thriller starring Vidyut Jammwal in the lead role. It showcases the journey of a man from the slums of Mumbai to the world of underground extreme sports. Directed by Aditya Datt, the film also features Arjun Rampal, Nora Fatehi, and Amy Jackson.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training is a captivating anime film adaptation of the immensely popular manga series by Koyoharu Gotoge, published under Shueisha’s Jump Comics. The story follows Tanjiro, a young boy whose life is shattered when his family is brutally slaughtered by demons. His sister, Nezuko, miraculously survives but is transformed into a demon. Despite her monstrous form, Nezuko retains her humanity, spurring Tanjiro on a quest to become a Demon Slayer. The film combines breathtaking animation with intense action sequences and heartfelt moments to deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Greta Gerwig looked ethereal in a champagne-colored sequin gown paired with an extraordinary natural diamond necklace from Boucheron…reports Asian Lite News
The Oscars are finally here to celebrate an outstanding year in film and bring award show season to a close. The 96th Annual Academy Awards celebrates the box office achievements of Barbie and Oppenheimer and reflects on incredibly moving films like Killers of the Flower Moon.
There were many fantastic natural diamond moments throughout the year to commemorate these films, from the film premieres to all of the red carpets including the Golden Globes, the SAG Awards, BAFTAs, and more. For one of the most anticipated nights in Hollywood, here are the best natural diamond moments on the 2024 Oscars red carpet.
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union shined bright on the red carpet in a glitzy set from Carolina Herrera paired with an epic natural diamond Tiffany & Co. necklace featuring a 33-carat aquamarine pendant at the center. She walked the red carpet alongside her husband, Dwayne Wade, who also added a touch of natural diamond flair to his tuxedo–a Cartier natural diamond brooch on his lapel.
Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh has been on a diamond kick. She walked the 2024 Oscars red carpet wearing a spectacular Bulgari Serpenti necklace.
Margot Robbie
Margo Robbie is ditching the “Barbie pink” for the Oscars and opted for a chic black chainmail Versace gown accompanied by a Fred Leighton diamond cuff and a Fred Leighton diamond ring.
Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig looked ethereal in a champagne-colored sequin gown paired with an extraordinary natural diamond necklace from Boucheron.
Emma Stone
Emma Stone looked radiant in a custom Louis Vuitton gown paired with an epic Louis Vuitton natural diamond choker featuring a 33-carat yellow diamond center stone.
Danielle Brooks
Danielle Brooks looked radiant in a classic corseted black gown with embellishments from Dolce and Gabbana and natural diamonds from De Beers featuring a mixed cut choker complete with diamond earrings, bracelets, and a De Beers high jewellery ring.
Carey Mulligan
Carey Mulligan opted for a regal, classic look on the red carpet wearing a Balenciaga gown and 10-carat, old-mine cut Fred Leighton diamond stud earrings.
Catherine O’Hara
Catherine O’Hara wore a glitzy black sequined gown paired with a natural diamond pendant necklace and Rahaminov drop earrings.
Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno wore stunning natural diamond earrings from Verdura for the 2024 Oscars.
Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron wore unbelievable natural diamonds, all from Boucheron ranging from chokers to bangles to dangle earrings.
Anya Taylor-Joy
Anya Taylor Joy was a vision in Maria Grazia’s take on the archival Dior Venus gown paired with epic Tiffany & Co. natural diamond jewels from the Blue Book Collection: Out of the Blue, including an 8-carat diamond necklace.
Sandra Hüller
Actress Sandra Hüller wore a Schiaparelli Couture gown paired with an epic natural diamond necklace from Cartier.
Vanessa Hudgens
Vanessa Hudgens stepped onto the Oscars red carpet with a gorgeous glow announcing her pregnancy. She also had the help of a natural diamond glow wearing a white diamond necklace with a yellow diamond center stone, statement line earrings, and a stack of natural diamond rings from Chopard.
Lupita N’Yongo
Lupita looked whimsical in an Armani Privé gown, and dripping in natural diamonds from De Beers–her earrings weighing over 26 carats.
Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld looked radiant in yellow and white natural diamond earrings from Chopard and Elie Saab Couture.
Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt has had some great natural diamond moments this year. She wore two Tiffany & Co. natural diamond necklaces stacked with her Schiaparelli gown.
Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy was decked out in natural diamonds including diamond dangle earrings, huggie hoops, studs, a diamond choker, and complete with diamond rings from Dena Kemp.
Simu Liu
He’s more than just Ken, he is a natural diamond lover! Simu Lu wore a Fendi suit and a 32-carat natural diamond brooch set in platinum in his suit jacket pocket.
Colman Domingo
It has been an excellent award season for Colman Domingo. Dressed in a custom Louis Vuitton suit, Domingo says on the red carpet, “I just want to shine like a diamond,” wearing David Yurman jewels and an Omega watch, he did just that.
Ke Huy Quan
Ke Huy Quan looked dashing in a Giorgio Armani suit and a special natural diamond brooch from Cartier on his lapel.
Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria stepped out in a regal, off-the-shoulder black gown paired with Bucherer natural diamonds.
Julianne Hough
Julianne Hough went for a very boho look wearing an epic natural diamond and gold choker from Vhernier and a gown from Alexandre Vauthier.
She walks amongst harsh reality of life with her ambition on one hand and on the other her family, but she does a balance act. Whenever she is down, a line from the inspirational song written by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s Jodi Tor Dak Shune Keu Na Ashe Tome Ekla Chalo Re… reports Vinod Raghavan
SHE IS – Mother, Sister, Daughter, Wife and Friend portrayed by well known model-actor Piya Pawani in the short film directed by Anirban Ray as a mark of respect to all womenfolk on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
The 10-minute film portrays Piya in a pivotal role highlighting her daily chores, which she takes it up with ease inspite of ups and downs in her life.
Her family with her husband played by Kabeer Yousuf, son by Rehan and the mother-in-law by veteran actor Azra Aleem. Piya playing the role of a multi tasking lady, handles her office pressure with ease and a smile.
Inspite of her hard work, the trophy which she was awarded is snatched by her male colleague portrayed by Anirban Ray. She pleads to the world it’s her hard work for which she has been rewarded, but the shrewd colleague snatches and shamelessly claims as his achievement, the director highlighted the ongoing scenario in the job market how people manipulates.
EVEN WOMEN TOO
It’s not only men, but women too are manipulator, is shown beautifully in the film. Piya helps an unknown lady played by Indu Baburaj, in her journey of achieving greater heights, and the same lady blocks her and pulls her down. Inspite of blocking her, a shocked Piya wishes good luck to the unknown soul and moves ahead.
In her journey balancing between work and home front, she faces lot of opposition which the director subtly used from the mythology – Ramayana, Mahabharata, Apple as eve from the Bible and Desert as Hagar, mother of Ismael from Islam religion.
Like in Ramayana, Sita had to spend in dense jungle and also had to face the Agni (fire) test. Director smartly explored beautiful locations from various parts of Oman and in Mahabarata the Pandavas and Kauravas plays the dice game.
The jungle and the fire scenes are from the picturesque Hadash Village which is on a curvy mountain 1500 metre above sea level around 200 km from Muscat on the Barka-Nakhal road.
Piya boldly crossed the real fire which was shot thrice, as the director wanted to get more perfection and she did it with ease.
She was also stalked by a local Romeo, seeing a single women, he tried tried to bully her, but she displayed her women power skills too and crosses the hurdle and moves ahead.
After the day long travelling and shooting, the entire crew were tired. While returning back the director saw the beautiful Moon shining in the darkness , he asked the driver to stop and summoned Piya, for one more shot, the exhausted actress didn’t thought for a second and faced the camera nearly for an hour.
In another shot at Yitti surrounded by beautiful mountains, was the tough scene as weather was bad, entire crew armed with warm jackets and covered their head with caps and scarfs, but Piya bravely faced the chilly wind and without any complain shot for hours.
Ekla Chalo
The famous Bangla song written by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and sung by Usha Uthap song Ekla Chalo… Perfectly suits her and uplifts her energy to start afresh inspite of all hurdles she comes across in her journey from family to work place, her dedication was tremendous said Anirban who was happy to see the outcome of the film.
The film was gripped by its soulful narration by Kartik P a business analyst by profession in Oman and the photography by Anirban was assisted by Vishal Raghavan.
MUBI Specials will include Four features –‘The Delinquents, Sophia Coppola’s acclaimed ‘Priscilla’ based on Priscilla Presley’s memoir and Ira Sach’s LGBTQIA+ love story ‘Passages’ and the multi-country production ‘Settlers’…reports Asian Lite News
Cinephiles are in for a treat as the annual event celebrating of acclaimed cinema ‘Habitat International Film Festival’ is back with a showcase of over 60 films from 30 countries. Scheduled from March 8 to 17 at India Habitat Centre, this year, Germany is the focus country in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi with support from Lufthansa Group. As the festival kicks off on International Women’s Day, the curation puts a spotlight on women directors and movies with a focused lens on women-centric issues.
The festival is divided into multiple sections that coalesce movies in a thematic thread. The main sub-themes of this edition are ‘New Voices’, ‘Famous Filmmakers’, ‘Documentary’, and ‘Coming of Age’. There will also be workshops and masterclasses, MUBI special films, a virtual reality programme – VROOOOM, NETPAC award-winning films, and a showcasing of a series of Oscar and Golden Globe-winning feature films. Free passes will be available from March 1 at www.habitatworld.com.
Sunit Tandon, Director, of India Habitat Centre says, “The HIFF is back in its full-fledged form this year, with an exciting line-up of top-notch new cinema from across the world, with a focus on German cinema, a return of the much-loved and successful VR Section, two Masterclasses and sections featuring NETPAC Award Winners and MUBI specials. All of this curated for us by the wonderful HabitatProgrammes Team led by Vidyun Singh.”
“A Festival of films that brings you a selection of the incredible talent of some of the best International filmmakers who craft narratives that cannot fail to touch hearts and evoke concern, empathy, sympathy, understanding, urgency, admiration, and hope,” addsmVidyun Singh, Creative Head Programmes, India Habitat Centre
Acclaimed filmmaker Margarethe von Trotta’s ‘Ingeborg Bachmann: Journey into the Desert’ and 2024 nominee for Palme d’Or and Best International Feature Film at the Oscars ‘Perfect Days’ by Wim Wenders will be showcased in the famous filmmakers’ segment. ‘The Teachers’ Lounge’ by Ilker Catak and Sophie Linnenbaum’s ‘The Ordinaries’ which won nominations in several categories at the German Film Awards 2023 will be showcased in the New Voices section. Other films in this category include ‘Sisi and I’ by Frauke Finsterwalder and ‘Orphea in Love’ by Alex Ranisch. Also featured will be Steffi Niederzoll’s Seven Winters in Tehran, a moving and shockingly topical documentary debut, where Niederzoll uses original audio and visual material smuggled out of Iran.
VROOOM – a Virtual Reality Film Experience, launched in 2023 by Goethe- Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi as part of HIFF will return with a new set of innovative and interesting works of filmmakers from around the world, who are using Virtual Reality or 360-degree filmmaking to convey their powerful stories.
In the ‘Coming-of-Age’ section, ‘Mission Ulja Funk’ by Barbara Kronenberg and Joya Thome’s ‘One in A Million’ will be screened. A masterclass on Editing with Kai Eiermann, a film editor and script consultant based in Berlin, Germany will also be held. Ulrich Schrauth who is also the curator of the VROOOOM – A Virtual Reality Film Experience and an artistic director for VRHAM! Festival Virtual Reality & Arts Hamburg, XR & Immersive Programmer for the British Film Institute (BFI), and the London Film Festival will also hold a masterclass and workshop.
MUBI Specials will include Four features –‘The Delinquents, Sophia Coppola’s acclaimed ‘Priscilla’ based on Priscilla Presley’s memoir and Ira Sach’s LGBTQIA+ love story ‘Passages’ and the multi-country production ‘Settlers’.
The NETPAC film screening at HIFF will be introduced by Bina Paul, Joint President, NETPAC. The films that will be showcased include ‘Sunday/Yakshanba’ (Uzbekistan/ Uzbek/ 2023), directed by Shokir Kholikov, ‘Whispering Mountains’ ( Sri Lanka/ Sinhalese/ 2023), directed by Jagath Manuwarna, ‘Solids by the Seashore’ (Thailand/Thai/ 2023), directed by Patiparn Boontarig and ‘Iti Mapukpukaw’/The Missing (Animation/ Philippines,Thailand/ Filipino and Ilocano/ 2023, directed by Carl Joseph E. Papa.
In the ‘Women In Film’ films including ‘The Peasants’ about Jagna, a young woman determined to forge her path within the confines of a late 19th-century Polish village, and ‘Inshallah A Boy’, Jordan’s official entry to the Oscars 2023 will be screened.
In a diverse landscape of compelling characters across various platforms, women have taken centre stage, embodying strength, resilience, and unwavering determination. From the powerful Helen Black in Audible’s ‘Marvel’s Wastelanders: Black Widow,’ voiced by Kareena Kapoor Khan to the fearless Sehmat in ‘Raazi,’ on Prime Video, each of them captures the audiences with their indomitable spirits.
Their stories, filled with courage and resilience, serve as a beacon of inspiration, just like this year’s theme of accelerating progress and encouraging women to embrace their strength and forge ahead. Whether they’re fierce warriors or brilliant minds, these women smash stereotypes and teach us how to be badass and stand out on our own. Here are ten remarkable ladies from whom we can draw inspiration this Women’s Day!
Helen Black voiced by Kareena Kapoor Khan and Lisa Cartwright voiced by Masaba Gupta
Meet Helen Black, a powerful woman bestowed with the power to save the universe voiced by Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Lisa Cartwright, the genius mastermind voiced by Masaba Gupta, who play the role of robust female characters in this podcast series. Helen, a fierce, powerful, and intelligent character clashes with Lisa who doesn’t take herself seriously but is uniquely intuitive and smart. Both the ladies take the lead in their distinct charms assuming the roles of a superhero and spy respectively. A one-woman deadly fighting force, Helen makes her moves smartly throughout the series, giving the audience a distinct audio experience.
With a tale of justice, resilience, and hope, Ash, voiced by Prajakta Koli, plays the role of Hawkeye’s estranged daughter. Her life takes a tragic turn when she loses the love of her life in a sudden accident. Driven by her youth and impulsiveness, she becomes motivated to seek justice, vowing to finish whoever is responsible. Turning to her father for help, she soon discovers that he, too, has a mission of his own. Pooling their motives of hope and vengeance, the series shows the heartwarming relationship between father-daughter duo Ash and Hawkeye as they collaborate to put an end to those manipulating this emerging dystopian era. Tune into this immersive experience of justice only on Audible!
To discover unspoken revelations with the fearless Zarah Kaul, don’t forget to tune into the riveting series of ‘Aakhri Sawaal: Interviews Before Execution’ on Audible. The story revolves around the character of psychologist Zarah Kaul who seeks to complete her late father’s unfinished book, ‘Interviews Before Execution.’ With immense bravery and gratitude towards her father, she interviews condemned murderers on death row single-handedly, unravelling the mysteries behind their crimes.
Jenabai voiced by Kalki Koechlin and Gangubai voiced by Radhika Apte
Meet the strong and resilient Mafia Queens, Jenabai and Gangubai, the female dons and masterminds narrated by Kalki Koechlin and Radhika Apte respectively. They bring to life the unforgettable tales of influential women in Indian history. Despite enduring the trauma of sexual assault, in this Audible show, you will know how Jenabai who was the first mafia queen of the Mumbai underworld, climbed her way up in a predominantly male-dominated society; while Gangu finds the inner strength to stand tall and ensures her voice is heard, being a source of inspiration for countless women today.
Kavya, a down-to-earth girl, faces life’s challenges with grace and unwavering determination, refusing to compromise on her deeply held values. The podcast narrates the chapters of Kavya and Dhruv’s lives before their paths intertwined, tracing the story of their initial meeting and the journey that led them to become inseparable soulmates. Kavya, narrated by Mithila Palkar, undergoes a remarkable evolution from a nervous individual to a mature and grown-up woman, catalysed by her encounter with Dhruv—the love of her life. As their paths intertwine, Kavya’s character unfolds, revealing layers of patience, love, and newfound wisdom, painting a vivid portrait of her growth into a more self-assured and empowered version of herself.
In a powerful story, Amrita, a survivor of domestic abuse, bravely refuses to stay silent. When her husband crosses the line by slapping her at a party, she takes a stand for justice. Choosing equality above all, Amrita fearlessly presses charges against him, firmly rejecting his oppressive actions. Her unwavering strength becomes a beacon of inspiration, showcasing the resilience and determination of women who refuse to yield to injustice.
Introducing Sehmat Khan, a fearless force of courage and sacrifice, where her name becomes synonymous with extraordinary! Once an ordinary college-going girl, she willingly set aside her dreams, youth, and college life to embark on a mission. Her selfless dedication involved providing crucial and confidential information to the Indian Agency, transforming her into a symbol of resilience and unwavering commitment to a greater cause. Her role highlighted her utmost sacrifice and dedication to her country.
The fearless investigative journalist Vishali Singh brought to life by Bhumi Pednekar in the vibrant city of Patna, brings in her due diligence. In her relentless pursuit to uncover the truth, she faces numerous challenges, from police interference to obstacles posed by child welfare authorities. Undeterred, Vaishali showcases unwavering resilience, refusing to back down until she exposes a horrifying crime within a girls’ shelter home in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
CSpace is managed by Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), a state-owned company entrusted with the promotion of Malayalam cinema and industry, on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Govt of Kerala…reports Asian Lite News
Kerala will launch India’s first government-owned OTT platform named CSpace tomorrow. It will provide people-oriented meaningful infotainment and leverage enormous opportunities in the sector. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will launch the OTT platform at Kairali Theatre tomorrow at 9.30 AM. Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian will also present.
The event will be attended by Minister for General Education and Labour V Sivankutty, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies G R Anil, KSFDC Chairman Shaji N Karun and Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran. Also present on the occasion will be Antony Raju, MLA, Mini Antony, Secretary for Cultural Affairs, N Maya, Cultural Director, and K V Abdul Malik, MD, KSFDC, along with dignitaries from the world of art and culture.
CSpace is managed by Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), a state-owned company entrusted with the promotion of Malayalam cinema and industry, on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Govt of Kerala. “CSpace is essentially a response to the growing imbalances and multifarious challenges in the OTT sector in terms of content selection and propagation,” said Shaji N Karun, renowned film director and Chairman, KSFDC. For selecting and approving the content, KSFDC has constituted a curator panel of 60 members including eminent cultural personalities from the state, such as Benyamin, OV Usha, Santhosh Sivan, Shyamaprasad, Sunny Joseph, and Jeo Baby.
Every content that is submitted to the platform will be evaluated by three curators from the panel for its artistic, cultural and infotainment merit. Only the content recommended by the curators will be showcased on the platform. Karun said that the curators have so far selected 42 films for the first phase of CSpace including 35 feature films, six documentaries, and one short film. Films that have won awards in National or State Awards or have been exhibited in major film festivals will also be shown. Another distinctive feature of CSpace is transparency in its operations and the overall earnings and revenue share. The platform, which operates on a pay-per-view basis, allows viewers to watch a feature film for Rs 75 and shorter content for a much lower price. Exactly half of the amount charged goes to the content provider.
Viewers can download the CSpace app from the Play Store and App Store from March 7 onwards. KV Abdul Malik, MD, KSFDC, said that the launch of the platform will address a major concern of the exhibitors and distributors of the film industry regarding their dwindling profits due to producers releasing their feature films directly on OTT Platforms. “To accommodate their concerns, CSpace has decided to showcase only those feature films that have been released in cinema halls. Besides, short films, documentaries and experimental films recommended by curators will also be made available on the platform,” he added. A plan to set aside a certain amount for the welfare of film professionals is also under consideration. CSpace will have content related to Kerala culture and arts, besides catering to film students and those who seriously approach films. Through the platform, there are plans to encourage film clubs across the state including colleges. Award-winning films “Nishiddho” and “B32 to 44” will be premiered on CSpace. It also intends to launch a new pattern in crowdfunding by offering filmmakers an opportunity to recoup the production cost through the support of viewers watching their films. (ANI)
Sunglasses are a must-have accessory for any fashionista, and Tiger is no exception. Opt for a pair of classy sunglasses that not only protect your eyes but also add a touch of sophistication to your outfit…reports Asian Lite News
Tiger Shroff, the epitome of fitness and style, turns heads wherever he goes. Known for his impeccable fashion sense and effortless charm, Tiger’s wardrobe is a treasure trove of inspiration for fashion enthusiasts. Let’s take a closer look at five must-have wardrobe essentials inspired by the actor himself.
Denim Jacket: A denim jacket is a versatile piece that can be dressed up or down, making it a staple in Tiger’s wardrobe. Cop the look from Lee Cooper denim collection. Pair it with a plain white tee and chunky denim jeans for a casual yet stylish look that is sure to turn heads.
Classy Sunglasses: Sunglasses are a must-have accessory for any fashionista, and Tiger is no exception. Opt for a pair of classy sunglasses that not only protect your eyes but also add a touch of sophistication to your outfit.
Comfy Formal Trousers: Tiger effortlessly blends comfort with style, and his choice of comfy formal trousers is a testament to that. Invest in a pair of well-tailored formal trousers that allow you to move freely while looking sharp and polished.
Sports Wear: Tiger’s love for fitness is well-known, and his wardrobe reflects that. Invest in some stylish sportswear that not only keeps you comfortable during your workout but also allows you to make a fashion statement while hitting the gym.
Chunky Denim Jeans: Tiger is often seen sporting chunky denim jeans that perfectly complement his muscular physique. Invest in a pair of well-fitted denim jeans that hug your curves in all the right places for a look that is both comfortable and stylish.
‘The Bear’, another unstoppable awards force that won big at this weekend’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, got the PGA’s Danny Thomas Award for best episodic comedy series…reports Asian Lite News
‘Oppenheimer’ continued to steamroll its path to Oscar glory on Sunday night (US Pacific Time), claiming the top prize at the 2024 Producers Guild of America Awards, reports ‘Variety’.
Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, Chuck Roven and their producing team took home the Darryl F. Zanuck Award, which recognises excellence in producing for a theatrical feature film.
Thomas, according to ‘Variety’, told the crowd that many may not know that Nolan, the film’s writer and director (and her husband), excelled most in his role as producer: “He’s absolutely brilliant, we’ve worked on 12 films now.”
‘The Bear’, another unstoppable awards force that won big at this weekend’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, got the PGA’s Danny Thomas Award for best episodic comedy series.
The ceremony also saw several career achievement awards. Sarah Michelle Gellar stepped out to present super-producer Gail Berman, who made the former a star with ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, with a trophy named for Norman Lear.
“When I say that not a single person on this earth was interested in buying that television show, I mean not a single person on earth was interested in buying that television show,” Berman told the crowd at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood.
She persisted and wound up creating an iconic character that empowered young women around the world. Berman dedicated her award to her husband and children — the people who “lift me up when there’s barely any air left in the punching bag”, adds ‘Variety’.
At the evening’s end, Oscar-winning Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro gave a moving tribute to Martin Scorsese, the 2024 recipient of the David O. Selznick Achievement Award. While celebrating his defining works such as ‘Taxi Driver’ and ‘Goodfellas’, del Toro said Scorsese is now living one of the more transformative moments in his professional life.
“An artist’s spirit cannot be tamed,” del Toro said, according to ‘Variety’. “It will remain vital, savage and even undomesticated — even in the fourth or fifth decade of a prestigious career.”
Scorsese brought the ballroom to its feet with a standing ovation. He recalled meeting a previous winner of the Selznick award, director Alfred Hitchcock, who had advice for producers in his own PGA acceptance speech.
The ‘Psycho’ director lectured filmmakers on “runaway productions”, or films that ran too long and over budget. And he advised the crowd, per Scorsese, “Make producers and directors more faithful to their wives.”