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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The 11th Seattle South Asian Film Festival Preview
Presented by ZEE CINEMA & Produced by TASVEER SEATTLE – September 16, 2016 – Tasveer launches the 11th Seattle South Asian Film Festival (SSAFF), with a screening of a curated selection of films at the Bellevue Arts Museum, a preview to the 11-day film extravaganza that is slated for October 14 - 23 2016. The theme of the festival is ‘Love Wins’, championing the idea that love can empower and elevate humanity during these difficult and dynamic moments, when fear and vitriol run rampant. The night opens with 4 shorts, followed by a dance performance by local Bangladeshi dancers and music by DJ R. Refreshments are provided by Moksha.
THE LIFE OF TORPID is an animated film that describes the life of a boy, shown around a swing that is the only steady element throughout. This short is from Bangladesh, directed by Shariful Anik, who was recently awarded the Jahir Raihan Best Short Award for one of his animated short films.
POUNOPUNIK – The Hamster Wheel Rebellion, again from Bangladesh, is the story of a sex worker who struggles to establish her identity as a mother to fulfill her daughter’s dream to be educated. According to the director Khandakar Sumon, it is the story of losers, who lose to the hypocrisy of society, despite showing great courage.
SAKHARAM is a documentary film from India in Marathi, directed by Sarthak Bhasin. Set in a tiny tribal village facing severe water scarcity, the film traces the life of Sakharam who has devised an ingenious solution to the problem – he has three wives!
The fourth and final movie of the night, Uttera Singh’s FANNY PACK is a light-hearted comedy about an Indian American girl intent on following her own dream and an over indulgent father who chases her through an airport hoping she will follow his XX. British-Israeli actor Brian George, best known for his portrayal of Babu Bhatt on Seinfeld, and more recently Rajesh Kootrapally’s father on the Big Bang Theory, in the role of the fanny pack clad father, plays the father in this film.
Bangladesh, one of Asia’s most dynamic and densely populated nations, is in the spotlight at SSAFF 2016, with a varied selection of comedies, dramas, and shorts. SSAFF 2016 includes 23 feature films and 22 shorts from nine countries, plus a landmark community symposium about film censorship in South Asia and topical film programs centered on youth, sexual minorities, and mental health. The film festival opens with fabulous Opening Night Gala at the Seattle Art Museum, followed by after party at The Triple Door on Friday, October 14 and closes with the Closing Awards and Reception on Sunday, October 23 featuring WAITING, a charming yet heart wrenching tale of grief and friendship by Indian director Anu Menon, starring popular actors Naseeruddin Shah and Kalki Koechlin.
Festival screeners, interviews, press kits, and images available by request to Sara Huey, Festival Publicist [email protected] | 206-619-0610
