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With support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the Swiss Foreign Ministry, for the last eight years the Open Doors section has worked to highlight filmmakers and films from countries whose cinema is still developing, and is committed to enabling them to find coproduction partners for their new projects.
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Projects:
3 Aharbal Falls–AjayRaina
4 Ajeeb Aashiq (Strange Love)–NatashaMendonca
5 Arunoday (Sunrise)–ParthoSen-Gupta
6 Burqa Boxers–AlkaRaghuram
7 Char… The Island Within–SouravSarangi
8 Jat Panchayat (The Judgement)–SatishManwar
9 Lasya (The Gentle Dance)–AnupSingh
10 Samaadhi (The Penance)–SidharthSrinivasan
11 Sebastian Wants to Remember–VasantNath
12 The Trapper’s Snare–ShankerRaman
13 Thread (Le Fil)–LiliumLéonard
14 Vidhvastha (Devastated)–AshishAvikunthak
Index
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Aharbal FallsAjayRaina
SynopsisAtAharbalFallsinKashmirinthesummerof1989,a7yearoldboycontemplatingsuicideis
savedbyagirlaboutthesameage.Thisisthebeginningoftheirloveaffair.Thereisdevotion,caring,andpassioninequalmeasure.Theydowitheachotherwhattheyseestrangermendowithhismother,believingthistobelove.ThesearedangeroustimesinKashmir.Kashmirisareseekingtheir‘freedom’andareinaviolentrevoltagainstIndia.Inanatmosphereofeverydaycurfews,terrorandequallybrutalcounter-terror,whenthefabricofaoncepluralisticsocietyhascomeapart,thechildcouplefindsolaceintheirsecretcompanionship;butonenighttheboy’sentirefamilyisslaughteredbyagroupofkillers.TheorphanchildistakenawayfromKashmirtotheplainsofIndia.Theloversareparted.About15yearslatertheseparatedcouplemeetaccidentallyinDelhi.Theystarttheiraffair
fromthepointwheretheyhadleftoff.Theyarenowmoredeterminedtheneverthattheywillnotletanybodytakethemapart.Promiseme,heasks,“Therewillnoteverbeathirdpersonbetweenus.”Shereplies,‘Yes’.Inspiteofthepromisestoeachothertheyfeelevenmorevulnerabletothepeoplearoundthemwhowillnotjustletthembe.Theydonotknowwhattodotobeazadofsociety’sbindings.ThetwoofthemcannotseemtoagreeoverwhichsideKashmirshouldgo.Theyargueandfightandmakeloveandyetdreadtheverythoughtofseparationagain.Asolutionpresentsitselfbeforethemandtheyacceptit.Hekillsthefirstpersonbyaccident.Thevictimisamalecolleagueinherofficeinlovewithher.Thathediditforherflattershernoendandgivestheirloveanotheraddeddimension,andbythefactthatshehelpedhimeraseallthetracesofthisfirstaccidentalmurder,shebecomesanaccomplice.Theygotogreatlengthstosaveeachotherfromthethreatofbeingfoundout.Also,havingoncetastedblood,killingagainisnotsodifficult.Everyfreshmurderbecomesthemostexoticaphrodisiactotheirpassionatelovemaking.Eachmurdertheycommitisuniqueinitsingenuityandmeticulousness—anaccidental
fall,afatalheartattackinducedthroughfear,anelectrocution,afalsesuicide,andamotoraccident.Theirisolationfromtheworldaroundthemonlyfuelstheirhungerforeachothertoapointofperpetualun-satisfaction.Everynextvictimbindsthemeventighterineachother’spassionatelyobsessivehold;butitcannotbeforlong.
Director’s NoteThisisaminimalistthrillertobeshotinalanguageoflostlove,Kashmiri.Ittriestoarticulatetheprotagonists’relationshipwitheachotherandKashmir’stroubledrelationshipwiththerestofIndia.Theanarchismofthetwoloversisareflectionoftheviolencethattheyhaveinternalizedover2decadesofviolentconflictinKashmir.Loversgenerallyloveforever,ordieforit,butseldomdoloverstakesomeoneelse’slifefortheirlovetolive.Delhi,wheretheyoungKashmiri’sofmyfilmhavetakenrefuge,istothemcoldandincomprehensible,adeepabysswherecrowdsofpeople,moveincessantly,nowhere,whereonecangetlostandfindnosolace.
Director’s BiographyBorninKashmir,Ajayisanaward-winningdocumentaryfilmmakerwithexperienceaswriter,editor,produceranddirector.HisfeaturefilmprojectArazissupportedbyCNCforco-productionundertheFondsSudscheme.HeisanalumnusoftheprestigiousFilmandTVInstituteofIndia(FTII),Pune,havinggraduatedin1991withFilmDirectionspecialisation.
FilmographyTell Them, The Tree They Had Planted Has Now Grown(2002)Wapsi (The Returning)(2005)Between Border and The Fence. On Edge of a Map (2011)
Production Company’s profile AjayRainaFilmsisaproductioncompanymanagedbyAjayRaina.Overthepast20years,thecompanyhasproducedmanyTVProgrammes,corporatepromotionalfilmsanddocumentaries.
Technical Information
Fiction / 100’ / Digital / Colour
Production Status: Production
Shooting Language: Kashmiri
Shooting Start: 12/2011
Total Budget: 100’000 Euro
Funds Secured: 20’000 Euro
Production Company: Ajay Raina Films
Contacts: [email protected] (Ajay Raina)
Ajay RainaDirector,Producer
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Ajeeb Aashiq (Strange Love)NatashaMendonca
SynopsisAjeeb Aashiqisafeaturelengthexperimentalnarrativeaboutatransgendersexworker,
Rani,whomeetsagenderambiguousrickshawdriver,Amal,onamuggynightinBombay.TheirbriefencounterleadstoAmalchauffeuringRanionhernightlytrystswithclients.TheirlivesintersectinthiscontemporaryportraitofBombaycity—asocietyincrisis—leadingtoacomplexfriendshipthatchangesthecourseoftheirlives.“Ajeeb”isanUrduwordfor“strangeorunexplainable,”and“Aashiq”translatesas“lover.”
Thisfilmisprimarilyastoryofdesire-adesiretoliveandlovebeyondone’srealityinaworldhellbentonmakingonefacethatlongingforescape.ThefilmplaysoutissuesofclassandgenderinathrivingoverpopulatedMetropolisbynight.Theintimatespaceoftherickshawpaintsaportraitofacityhanginginthebalance,skewedbypovertyandclassdivide,unitingbothcharactersintheirpursuitofanewutopia.Shoton-locationonthestreetsofBombay,Ajeeb AashiqisthegrittytaleofAmal,wholives
inaslumthatoutlinesthegarbagedumpofthecity.HetakesaloanfromFatima,hislover,whoisonthecuspofmarryinganotherman.Heusesthemoneytogethisbreastsremovedillegallyatasmalllocalhospital.Sincehehastwomonthstopaybacktheloanheisalwaysworkingvariousoddjobsthatcomehisway;heworksasablackmarketerforBollywoodcinematickets,andridesarickshawtohelpafriendoutforamonth.OnenighthegivesRani,atransgendersex-workerarideinhisrickshawanddevelopsacrushonher.Raniisdepressivewithamelancholicblackholeofcravinginhersoul.SheenjoystheattentionfromAmalbutiscruelabouthisyearnings.Acomplex,tenderfriendshipbuildsbetweenthem.Severalinteractionslater,lateonenight,AmalfindsRanidrunkinherroomandstealsallhersavingstorepayhisloan.Shortlythereafter,RanidisappearsandAmalistormentedbyguiltandlonging.AmidrumorsofherhavingcontractedHIVhesetsouttofindher.
Director’s NoteThroughprocess-basedfilmmakingAjeeb Aashiqexploresthelivesofworkingclassgenderoutlaws,sex-work,HIV,desire,andfriendship.Thefilminvestslessinnarrativeprogression.Itallowsthestorytounfurlbyexploringthephysicalandpsychologicallandscapeofallthreemaincharacters:Rani,AmalandBombaycity.Thefilmisalsoadocumentaboutthecreationofafiction,whichovertakestheproceedingsatpointsonlytorecedeagain.Itisasmuchaboutthemakingofthisfiction,aboutfindingtherightcharacterstoplaytheparts,incorporatingtheirreallivesintothefilm,asmuchasitisaboutthestoryitself.
Natasha MendoncaDirector
Director’s BiographyNatashaMendoncaisavisualartistandfilmmakerfromBombay,India.SheholdsaMFAfromtheCaliforniaInstituteoftheArts.HerrecentworkJan VillawontheTigerawardforshortfilmatTheInternationalFilmFestivalRotterdam2011andtheKenBurnsawardforthebestfilmattheAnnArborFilmFestival,2011.
FilmographyMadsong (2006)Watercolors (2009)Jan Villa(2010)
Production Company’s profile TransientFilmsfusesexperimentalformsofcinemawitholdandnewtechnologies.MriduChandraisaNewYorkbasedfilmmakerandproducerwithoveradecadeofexperienceinindependentcinema.HerfilmspremieredatSundanceFilmFestival,airedonnationalPBS,screenedformembersofUSCongressandtheUnitedNations,andshowcasedatmuseumsandfilmfestivalsworldwide.
Filmography ProductionBrother Outsider: The Life Of Bayard Rustin,NancyKates&BennettSinger(2003)Poundcake,RafaelMonserrate (2009) The Canal Street Madam,CameronYates (2010)
Technical Information
Fiction / 80’ / HD / Colour
Production Status: Pre-production
Shooting Language: Hindi, English
Shooting Start: 05/2012
Total Budget: 105’000 Euro
Funds Secured: 10’000 USD
Production Company: Transient Films
Contacts: [email protected] mobile +646-884-3532(Natasha Mendonca)
[email protected] mobile +917-312-2204(Mridu Chandra)
Mridu ChandraProducer
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Arunoday (Sunrise)ParthoSen-Gupta
SynopsisOnceuponatimenotlongago,nightafternightpolicedetectiveJoshiroamedtheback
streetsandthecheapcabaretbarsinsearchofhissix-year-olddaughter,Aruna,whooneday,tenyearsago,hadnotcomehomeafterschool.Everywherehewentastrangeelusivefigurewaspresent.Joshitriedveryhardtocatchhimbutcouldnotsucceed.Everynighthereturnedhomelatetohisdefeatedwife,Leela,whosincethelossoftheirdaughter,livedinadifferentreality.Joshilookedafterherandcaredforherwithalotoflove.Hehadpromisedherthathewouldfindtheirdaughter.Naina,a6-year-oldgirl,wasbroughtbytraffickerstoabrothelandentrustedtoKomal,
ateenageprostitute.Asthedayswentby,Komalandtheyounggirlbecameclose,livingachildlikeexistenceamidstthehorrorthatsurroundedthem.Oneday,Joshiledaraidonthebrothelbutthepimpshidthegirls.Joshiagainfeltthepresenceofthefigure.Babu,a16-year-oldboy,wouldwaitoutsidethePoliceStation,butwhenaskedwhyhewas
therehewouldnotsayanything.Andonedaywhenhedidhavesomethingtotellthem,thecopsdidnotbelievehim.Soonthereafter,JoshiandhispoliceteamweresenttoinvestigatethemurderofBabu’sfather.Theretoo,Joshifoundthesameelusivefigure.Nowheknewwheretofindit.Joshiwaitedoutsideitslair,whichwascalledParadise.Hesawthefigurearrivingtherewith
littleNaina.Joshifollowedtheminside,wherehefoundmanyenslavedgirls.Finally,hefoundtheelusivefigurewithhissix-year-olddaughterArunainaroom.Hekilleditandescapedwithhisdaughter.Butthefigurewasnotdead;hemultipliedandmanyfiguresstaredafterthefleeingfatheranddaughter.Joshifinallykepthispromisetowifeandreunitedhisbrokenfamilyonabeautifulbeach.
Director’s NoteSunriseisatragedytellingauniversalstoryofthelossofachild,ofparentalgrief.Theprotagonist,Joshi,distressedbythedisappearanceofhisdaughter,takesusintohisdreams,nightmaresandmemoria.Thecharactersinthisspacearerealpeoplethathemayhaveknowninhislifebuttheybehaveinamannerthatmaybehissubjectiveperceptionofthem.Thesituationsaresetsofdissociatedmemoriesthathehasexperiencedorperhaps,ashewouldhavelikedthemtohappen.Buthedoesnotalwayscontrolthenarrationandsometimeshetooislostinsideit.Sometimestheothercharacterstakecommand.Butintheend,Joshimusttakeustothecatharsis.
Partho Sen-GuptaDirector,Producer
Director’s BiographyBorninMumbai(1965),hestartedhiscareerin1984asanapprenticeintheartdepartmentinstudiosofMumbai.In1993,hewasawardedascholarshiptostudyfilmdirectionattheFEMIS,Paris.Hisfirstfeaturefilm,Hava Aney Dey(Let the Wind Blow)premieredattheBerlinale2004.Arunoday(Sunrise)ishissecondfeature.HelivesandworksintheUKandinIndia.
FilmographyLe Cochon (1995)Hava Aney Dey (Let the Wind Blow)(2004)Shakti Timeless(2005)
Production Company’s profile Writer-directorParthoSen-GuptaandproducerRakeshMehrafoundedIndependentMoviesin2002,toproducetheawardwinningHava Aney Dey(Let the Wind Blow),whichpremieredattheBerlinalein2004.IthassincebeendevelopingvariousIndianartfilmprojectsincludingArunoday(Sunrise)andFallen Hero(developedwiththehelpoftheHubertBalsFund).
Technical Information
Fiction / 100’ / Digital / Colour
Production Status: Production
Shooting Language: Hindi, Marathi
Shooting Start: 10/2011
Total Budget: 169’000 Euro
Funds Secured: 7’000 Euro
Production Company: Independent Movies Pvt.
Contacts: [email protected] (Partho Sen-Gupta)
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Burqa Boxers AlkaRaghuram
SynopsisInaculturewherebeauty,delicacy,refinementandsubmissionaretheprizedtraitstothe
ultimatefemininecareerfulfilment,marriage,youngMuslimgirlslearnboxingatalittlegyminKolkata,India.Burqa Boxerstellsthestoryofthesewarriorsdeterminedtoknockoutafewstereotypes.ItwillbethestoryofthreeyoungwomenAmina,Shyara,andKhadijaastheytrainforthestateamateurboxingchampionship.Someofthefamiliessupporttheirdaughters’ambitionswhileothersdon’t.Aminawantstofulfillherfather’sdreamofbeingafighter,thoughhehimselfwouldratherseehissoncarrythetorch.Shayrawhosenamemeans“Poet”,helpsherauntrunatailoringshop.Shegoestoschoolintheday,andtrainsatthegymtwoorthreetimesaweek.Heraunt,whofeelstheresponsibilityofbringingherup“Properly”formarriage,wouldbehorrifiedtohearofherniece’sextracurricularactivities.ButShayracallsherselfthepoetofblood,gore,andbrokennoses,andisdeterminedtothwartallplansofmatrimonyforthe“Ring”.Khadijaisthe“Breadwinner”ofthefamily,andproudofit.Sheworksasadomestichelpin
thehouseofaschoolteacherwhoeducatesherandencouragesthepursuitofboxingasawaytoearncollegescholarshipinthegovernment’ssportsquotaforwomen.Thedocumentarywillfollowthesescharactersastheypursuetheirpassionforboxingwhile
dealingwiththeexpectationssocietyhasofthem.Forme,asastoryteller,“Whyboxing?”,isthecentralquestioninitsmostliteralsense.
Whatdoes,boxing,asport,soextremelysubversive,offerthem?Isitthepermissiontobeaggressive?Thetrainingtochannelone’sfury;toplaytowin,andunabashedlyseekvictory?Therearesomanydimensions,socio-economic,psychological,andemotional,tothisquestion,thatitcan’tbutimpactone’sattitudetowardsnegotiatinglifeandself.Iwanttofindouthowtheydefinethemselves,andreconciletheirtraditionswiththeirdreams.Andtheanswer;amosaicofthegirls’stories,theirtrials,travailsandsuccesseswillbeBurqaBoxers,thedocumentary.
Director’s NoteGlovedhandshitspeedbags.Youngbodiesrunandstretch;theymoan,shoutandcurse.Girlsundergoadramatictransformationastheyjumpintotheringandtrain,physically,mentallyandemotionally,topunch,fightandwin.IimagineBurqa Boxersasastudyincontrastsandextremes,inthethemesitexplores;intheimageryitevokes,andinthesoundsitproduces–ofrepression,andcontrolledviolentexpression.Whileitisapoliticalstory,challengingsociety’sattitudestowardsoneself.Intellingit,Iwanttokeepinmindthatitishighinaction,physicalandpsychological,andtheplayershaveanagenda:towin.Iwanttocapturethatspirit.
Alka Raghuram Director,Producer
Director’s BiographyAlkaRaghuramisanindependentwriter/director.Shehasmadethreeshortfilms,The Ant and The Monkey,Panchali,andTired of Dancing,andthe40-minutedocumentaryBlack Waters,adocumentarymemoir,abouttheeffectofthe2004tsunamionthepeopleofAndamanandNicobarislandsoffthesoutheastcoastofIndia.
FilmographyPanchali (2003)The Ant and The Monkey(2007)Black Waters(2008)
Technical Information
Documentary / 75’ / Digital / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: Hindi
Shooting Start: 10/2011
Total Budget: 60’000 – 90’000 Euro
Funds Secured: 10’000 Euro
Production Company: Junoon Pictures
Contacts: [email protected] (Alka Raghuram)
Production Company’s profile JunoonpictureswillproduceBurqa Boxers,andisdevelopingthefictionfilm,The Conqueror,byAlkaRaghuram.
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Char… The Island WithinSouravSarangi
SynopsisMeetRubel,a14yearsoldboywholivesintheborderandsays,”Peoplemustmoveasthe
rivermoves”.Therivererodedhishome,infacttheentirevillage,school,green-fieldsandthelargebanyantreewheretheyusedtoplay.YearslaterhisfamilyshiftedtoatinyandfragileislandcalledChar.Therivergoddess
createdthisislandforherhomelesssonsanddaughterswiththesoilshetookaway.ButCharisconsideredasno-man’slandtakenoverbythearmedborderpolice.ThevagrantcommunitylivinginCharmustbecheckedeachtimetheywanttoreturnhome.RubelsmugglesricefromIndiatoBangladeshtosurviveinthisbarrenzone.Hedreamsforabetterlife.AndinutterdesperationheboardsatrainandlandsupinSouthIndia,overtwothousandkmawayfromChartofindjob.Butthereisnojobforhim.MeetSofikul,whoonceusedbeRubel’sneighbour.Sofiisnow10yearsold.Hisfatherwas
shotdeadwhilesmugglingcows.LittleSofilovestorun!Andrunshewellcrossingthebordercarryingasackfullofriceweighingalmosthisown-selfwhilehissleeplessmotherawaitsathome.Sheshiversateachsoundatnightandsoundsofbulletsarenotrarehere.Thefamiliesareallscatteredbutthekidsmeetontheirendlessjourneywhilecrossingborders.Theirlittlefeetdefyfatigueanddespairhardlytouchestheirsmiles.Insummerwindblowsstronginthischanginglandscape,thecloudsroll.Theriverswellsup
inMonsoon.FencedbytheriveronallsidesinCharthelandlessnomadstrytobringbacktheirsettledliveslostinthepast.Theybuildtheirhuts,sowseeds,clearthedenseforestgrassandevensetupdieselpumpstoirrigatetheparchedearth.Teashopsarecrowdedinthenightwithtelevisionsetsrunondiscardedcarbatteries.AndatsomedistancestandsthecolossalbarragebuiltbyIndiaingreatsocialistspiritto
changepeople’sliveswithinitsterritoryandnotletitgoBangladesh.ThegrandplandidnothelpRubelandhisbrother,sisterandparentsandthepeoplewholivebyriversideforages.Theylosttheirlandstohungrytidesoftherivergoddess.TodayRubelhasonlyasmalldream;hewantstojoinaschoolacrosstheriveronthemainlandwherecarsmoveongasandelectriclampsburnmuchbrighter.Hisparentshadtopartwithallthat;forthemtheCharwasthePromisedLand.ItravelwithRubeltotheedgeoftheislandwhereitiscracking.Willthisis-landcalledCharerodetoo?
Director’s NoteEverythingisasubject,everyoneacharacter,butIcanmakefilmswhenIfeellikebeinginanunknownzone,lotmoretoexploreandexpress.QuitetruethatChar,theborderis-landisdifferentfromthemain-land.Ifounditfascinatinginmanyways.Hereeverythingmovesinacyclicrhythm;theclouds,theriver,theever-changinglandscape.Alongmovethelivesofpeoplebutthroughmomentsofloss,despairandhopewhichhasasenseoflinearityandlonging.Andaninvisiblebordertocrosswherestoriesareborn!TheelusivewatersofriverGangaholdthosestories.Iwastemptedandstartedexposingthosemomentswithamoviecamera…formethisisthebestway.
Sourav SarangiDirector,Producer
Director’s BiographySouravSarangi,bornin1964studiedgeologybutlaterjoinedFTII,areputedfilmschoolinIndiatolearnfilmediting.Currentlyheisinvolvedininternationalco-productionsasanindependentproduceranddirector.ThefewdocumentariesandfictionsSouravmadewonawardsandaccoladeworldwide.
FilmographyTusu Katha (The Tale of Tusu) (1997)Bhangon (Erosion) (2006)Bilal (2008)
Production Company’s profile SonetLumiereisareputedfilmandvideoproductionhouselocatedinKolkata,India.Ithasseveralindependentdocumentariesandtelevisionproductionstoitscredit.Italsohasanefficienttechnicalinfra-structure.
Signe Byrge Sørensen Co-producer
Stefano Tealdi Co-producer
Technical Information
Documentary / 110’ / HD / Colour
Production Status: Production
Shooting Language: Bengali
Shooting Start: 08/2010
Total Budget: 226’930 Euro
Funds Secured: 98’000 Euro
Production Company: Son et Lumiere
Contacts: [email protected] (Sourav Sarangi)
Co-production Companies: Stefilm International [email protected] (Stefano Tealdi)
Final Cut Pro for Real [email protected] (Signe Byrge Sørensen)
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Jat Panchayat (The Judgement)SatishManwar
SynopsisJhingribelongstoNomadicTribefromMaharastra,India.Thetribeisstampedasthiefby
theBritishgovernment.AsaSocialgroupthesetribeshavetheirownjudicialsystem.Judgesoftheircourtsometimesareconsideredasthievesbypolice,butforthem,theydeliverJustice.JhingriisoneofthevictimsofthisSystem.Herhusbandmortgagesherformoney,herfathersellsherformoneyandwhenherformerhusbandmakesapleaagainsther,thechildinherstomachisconsideredaspropertyofherhusband.
Director’s NoteJat Panchayatisaboutsocialsystems,judiciarysystemsandpowersystems.Everysystemconsistsofrulesandregulationsandthesechangesfromgroupstogroups.It’sabouthumannatureandconditions.ThestructureofthefilmislikearoadmovieanditwillexplorethelifestyleofgypsiesfromIndia.
Satish ManwarDirector,Producer
Director’s BiographySatishManwarcompletedhispost-graduationindramaticsfromcentreforperformingartsatPuneUniversity.Hehaswritten,producedanddirectedplaysinMarathi.Cigarettes,Alvida,Bar Bararesomeofthem.Gabricha Pausishisfirstfeature.CurrentlyheisworkingonTuhya Dharm Koncha?(What’s your Religion?)afeaturefilmproject.
FilmographyCycle (2007)Gabhricha Paus’(The Damned Rain)(2008)Tuhya Dharm Koncha? (What’s your Religion?)(inpre-production)
Production Company’s profile ManwarFilmsisafilmproductionwhichstartedtoproducefilmsbySatishManwar.TilldateithasproducedshortfilmCycle(2007),andTuhya Dharm Koncha?(What’s your religion?)aFeaturefilmprojectsupportedbyHubertBalsfundisinpre-productionstage.SatishManwarisalsoinvolvedasaproducerfordocumentaryFeel in the Blanks(2002).
Technical Information
Fiction / 120’ / 35 mm / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: Marathi, Hindi
Shooting Start: 03/2013
Total Budget: 243’435 Euro
Funds Secured: 0
Production Company: Manwar Films
Contacts: [email protected] (Satish Manwar)
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Lasya (The Gentle Dance)AnupSingh
SynopsisAsthecityofMumbaiissteadilyfloodedbytheragingmonsoonrains,abeggar-childis
fatallyhitbyatruck.Heryoungmother,Amba,determinestofulfillherpromisetothechildandfindthefatherwhohaddesertedthemalongtimeago.Shesetsoffwiththechild’sbodyonajourneythroughragingnatureandbizarreandruthlessencountersinapitilesscity.Ambaisjoinedonherquestbyher45yearsoldmother-in-law,Hansa,andMahesh,33,a
pettydrug-dealerobsessedwithAmba.Thisjourneythroughfloodedstreets,memoriesanddreamsofwhatcouldhavebeenhas
Ambaseethingwithviolenthatredagainsttheimposingcity.Swayingbetweensleepanddeliriousawakening,horrifiedbythedaughter’sdecaying
corpseintheirarms,butrefusingtoabandonit,theywalkon.Maheshfollowsrelentlesslybehind,oftenfightingwithAmbatoturnback.Hesaysshehasfinallyallowedthecitytoscareherandwhatshesecretlydesiresnowissimplytofindahomeandshelteragain.Sheisnotseekingherhusbandforherdaughter,butforherownselfishreasons.Mid-waythroughthejourney,Hansa,badlyinjuredandfeverish,hastogiveup.Hansahasalwaysbelievedthatifyoutrulyacceptthecity,itsviciousnessaswellasnurturing,thecityacceptsyoutoo.ThisiswhatshehasalwaystriedtoimparttoAmba.Neartheendofthejourney,Ambafinallywashesherdaughter’sbodyinapoolofrainwaterandclothesherinanewsari.Then,sheturnstoMaheshandoffersherselftohim.Shewantstothankhimforhiscare,hisloveandhiswalkingprotectivelyalongwiththemthistremendousdistance.Andshetellshimthatheiswrong:sheisseekingherhusbandbecauseshemadeapromisetoherdaughter.Shealsobelievesthatbecausehewasnottheretotakecareofthem-thatisthefinalcauseofherdaughter’sdeath.Now,shesays,sheseeksherhusbandbecauseheowesheranewchild.Shewillconvincehimthathehastomakeanotherchildwithher.That’sallthatshewantsfromhim.ThisisamomentofcompassionateunderstandingforMahesh.Ambawalksonaloneandnow,asshelooksaboutherattheteeming,energeticcity,she
realizesthatthecityisnotverydifferentfromwhatsheis:aninexorablecravingtosurviveandprevail.Shetakesholdofherdeaddaughter’shandandslowly,gentlyshebeginstodance-asherdaughterusedtodance.AmbadancesacrossthestreetsofMumbaitowhatsheknowsmightnotbeherfinaldestination.
Director’s NoteWater,itsviolenceandgentleness,itssurfaceglimmerandsecretivedepthsistheelementalimageofthefilm.Ambawatchesastheviolenceofstreetliferavagesherandherfamily.Itisonlyslowlythatshebeginstorealizethatthereverenceoflifeliesnotonlyinenduring,butprevailingoverallkindsofviolence,especiallythebitternessandcynicismshehasallowedtolivelikepoisonwithinherself.Byovercomingviolencewithoutandself-hatredwithin,sheseemstobeleadingtotheemergenceandcreationofanewera,whereasimplebeggar-womancomestounderstandthenatureofabigcityasnotverydifferentfromherowndesiretosurviveandcelebrate.
Anup SinghDirector
Director’s BiographyAnupSinghwasborninTanzania,EastAfrica.Hegraduatedinliterature&philosophyfromtheBombayUniversityIndia,andin1986,indirectionfromtheFilm&TVInstituteofIndia.Hisaward-winningfirstfilmThe Name of a RiverwasahomagetoRitwikGhatak,ajourneycelebrating‘homelessness’andthepossibilitiesofindependentcinemainmodernIndia.Hisnextfeature,Qissa,startsthisNovember.
FilmographyLasya (The Gentle Dance)(1988)Ekti Nadir Naam (The Name of a River)(2002)Qissa (The Ghost is a Lonely Traveller)(inpre-production)
Co-production Company’s profile Heimatfilmwasfoundedin2003inColognebyBettinaBrokemperandherpartnersfromEmbassyofDreams,Munich.HeimatfilmfocusesondevelopingandproducingfeaturefilmsandtelevisionprojectsforGerman,Europeanandinternationalaudiences.Beyondthis,Heimatfilmengagesininternationalco-productions,andorganizesserviceproductionsinGermanyforforeigncompanies.
Filmography Co-productionThe City Below, ChristophHochhäusler (2010)Bal – Honey, SemihKaplanoglu(2010)Lemon Tree, EranRiklis(2008)Johannes Rexin
Co-producer
Technical Information
Fiction / 90’ / 35 mm / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: Hindi, Marathi
Shooting Start: 06/2013
Total Budget: 2’048’112 Euro
Funds Secured: 0
Production Company: Heimatfilm
Contacts: [email protected] (Anup Singh)
[email protected] (Johannes Rexin)
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Samaadhi (The Penance)SidharthSrinivasan
SynopsisTheelderlywomanhadbeenlanguishingforsometimenow.Manyyearsbefore,her
husbandhadgonetoofferprayersatthenearbytemple,nevertoreturn.Heabandonedhiswifeandleftbehindtwoperplexedlittlechildren.Theelderchild–agirl-grewuptobecomeanoutwardlyself-assuredindividual,thesolebreadwinnerofthefamily.Butinrealityshewasdeeplytroubled,seizingeveryopportunityshecouldtoescapeherdrabpredicamentvialovelesssexualencounters.Instarkcontrast,hershyandintrovertedbrotherwasreducedtoanexistenceofrepressedservitude,incurredfromyearuponhumiliatingyearofnursinghisailingmother.Thatnight,theoldwomanknewherendwasnear.Shebeckonedhersonandwhisperedher
dyingwishtohim:toachieveKashiLabh-tobreatheherlastinthecityofVaranasi,theholiestofIndianpilgrimagesites,andbecrematedthere.CastingherashesinthewatersofthesacredriverGangeswouldabsolveherofsinandremovehersoulforeverfromtheunrelentingcycleofbirth,deathandrebirth.MotherandchildrenmadethelongjourneytoVaranasiandtookuplodginginapalatial
butdilapidatedhotelcalledMokshaDham(HomeofSalvation).Itwasanancientguesthousethataffordeditspatronsthemorbidhospitalityofcheckingintodie.Butratherthanbreatheherlast,theelderlywomansufferedaviciousseizureandwentintoacoma.Itwasasifshehadplayedacrueljokeatherchildren’sexpense,lockingherselfupinacavernouscloset,therebyforcingthefamily’sdeepest,darkestskeletonstocometumblingout.Thedaughterwasofthefirmopinionthattheirmotherneededthegentlestofnudgestopushherovertothe“otherside”.Butheryoungerbrotherwouldstopatnothingtoseetheglintoflifeinhismother’seyesagain.Evenifittookhimtotheveryedgeofmadness,embracingghoulishpollutionandthemostsinisterofprofanerituals.Anepicstrugglebetweenfleshandfatalismensuesinthecityoflifeanddeath.Whileanold
womanlanguishesineternalslumber,neitherdeadnoralive,herchildrenwillprovokepast,presentandfuture,lifeanddeath,bodyandsoul,withcatastrophicconsequences….
Director’s NoteSamaadhiisanattempttoreconcilemytwolong-standingdesiresasafilmmaker–tomakeatruly“Indian”horrorfilm,andtoexplorethedynamicsofafamilythroughtheprismofaminimalistchamberdrama.IwantedtounderstandveryIndiannotionsoflineageandancestry,mortalityandimpermanence.Byhavingthesethemesplayoutinanancientcitywherelifeanddeath,thesacredandprofane,areflipsidesofthesamecoin,Ihopedtomakearootedgenrefilm.Thus,Samaadhiisafilmthatisbothpoeticandprovocative,visceralandsensuousand–ultimately-isafilmcapableofengagingtheviewer’sfacultiesandelicitinganemotionalresponse.
Sidharth SrinivasanDirector,Producer
Director’s BiographySidharthisanindependentfilmmakerbasedinNewDelhi.HisdebutshortSwamohitapremieredattheVeniceFilmFestivalin2000,whenhewas23yearsold.Written,producedanddirectedindependently,Pairon TallehaditsWorldPremiereattheTorontoInternationalFilmFestival2010togreatacclaim,andwasoneofTIFFCo-DirectorCameronBailey’sDaily Picks.
FilmographySwamohita (The Tightrope Walker)(2000)Divya Drishti (The Divine Vision)(2002)Pairon Talle (Soul of Sand)(2010)
Production Company’s profile SidharthestablishedReelIllusionFilmsin2000asanindependentoutfitcommittedtopushingthecinematicenvelope,whilststrivingtotelltrulyIndianstoriesthatresonatewithanaudienceforqualityWorldCinema.Thecompanyrecentlysoldmulti-platformNorthAmericanrightsofPaironTalletotheGlobalLens2011andBeneluxrightstotheHubertBalsFund(IFFR).
Filmography ProductionMondo Macabro(2001)Hell’s Ground, OmarAliKhan(2007)Down Terrace, BenWheatley(2010)Pete Tombs
Co-producer
Technical Information
Fiction / 90’ / Redcode RAW (4K) / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: Hindi
Shooting Start: 01/2012
Total Budget: 356’466 Euro
Funds Secured: 34’000 Euro
Production Company: Reel Illusion Films
Co-Production Company: Boum Productions
Contacts: [email protected] (Sidharth Srinivasan)
[email protected] (Pete Tombs)
11
Sebastian Wants to RememberVasantNath
SynopsisSebastian,65,aneminentphotographer,hasastrokethattakesawayhismemories.Hiswife
Rose,60,issaddenedthatSebastianhasforgottenhercompletelyanddoesherbesttohelphimrecover.Duringhisrecovery,Sebastianisolatesthreephotographsthatseemtoholdsignificant
meaningforhim:imagesofabuffalocalf,aflamboyantQueenandayoungPadri.AllthreewereclearlyphotographedbySebastianbuttheircontextandsignificanceremainsamysterytoRose.Then,oneday,Sebastiansuddenlyuncoversaphotographofawomanthathasanevengreatereffect,sendinghimintoafitofrestlessnessthatgrowsdaybyday.Despitehisenfeebledcondition,Sebastianbeginstosetoutlookingforthewomaninthephotograph;notcaringthatonhisown,hecouldnotgetfurtherthanhiscolonygate.ForRose,thelanguorous,seductivephotographoftheunknownwomanissuggestiveofalifethatSebastianhadkeptsecrettillthen.Sherealizesthatpursuinganexplanationforitcouldopenapandora’sboxofunpleasantdiscoveries.However,afterwatchingSebastianendangerhimselfrepeatedlyforitssake,RosehastoconsiderthedifficultchoiceofresurrectingSebastian’soldcaranddrivinghimtowherehetookthewoman’spicture.Nobody,includingSebastian’soldfriends,knowswhothewomanisorwherethephotowastaken.However,RosecanseethateachoftheotherthreephotosclearlyrelatetosomethingfromSebastian’sforgottenpastthathewantedtoremember.So,afterdiggingupsomeclues,shetakeshimonthisunusualtreasurehunt,half-hopingtodiscoverthereasonforSebastian’sinfatuation,half-hopingthatitwearsoffalongtheway.Thejourneyisnotwithoutdifficulties.Thetravelersareoldandtheirvehicleisevenolder.
ToRose’sfrustration,Sebastian’smostdifficulttraits–hisstubbornnessandrecklessness-werenotannihilatedbyhisstrokeandmanifestunpleasantlyastheygetfurtherandfurtherfromhome.Eachnewcluetheyuncovershedslightonthelifeofamanneitherofthemknewanymore.OverthemanyhundredkmofaroadjourneyfromNewDelhitoIndia’sWesternextremities,
thecouplecomefacetofacewitheachother’strueselvesasneverbefore.Upagainstsomeshatteringrevelationsfromthepast,theirfuturestandsinjeopardy.Theironlychanceistorememberthesolidfoundationoflovethathasbroughtthemsofar-butthatissomethingnotforSebastianalone,butforbothofthemtorecall.
Director’s NoteSebastian Wants to Remember wasbornfouryearsago,inanefforttowriteanoriginalscreenplaythatdidnotfitintoanyboxesalreadyextantintheIndianfilmindustry.ThegoalwastotellafreshIndianstorythatdealswithcontemporaryIndianssetinlocalesthataretogetherrepresentativeofIndia’sdiversity.Thescreenplayhasbeendrawnfromthemesthatareveryfamiliartome,andthestoryplaysoutoverlandscapesandlocalesthatIhavespentmuchtimeinasachild.ThethemesofOldAgeandMemoryarecentraltothestory,andmyfamiliaritywithbothcomesfromaclosebondwithagrandparentwhosufferedfromAlzheimer’sdisease.
Vasant NathDirector,Producer
Director’s BiographyVasantNathgraduatedfromtheUniversityofCambridgeinSociologyin2003.HeassistedOscarnominateddirectorDeepaMehtabeforeworkinginMumbaiasacreativeassistant,specializinginwritingscreenplays.Hehasbeenafreelancewriteranddirectorsince2008andisworkingtowardsmakinghisfirstfeature.Vasantisalsoanavidphotographer.
FilmographyShanu Taxi(2006)Sukrit’s Sundays(2007)Checkmate(2011)
Production Company’s profile VAVAArtsisthebannerunderwhichVasantintendstocreatenewnarrativecontentinlinewiththechangingtrendsofIndia’sindependentfilmindustry.
Technical Information
Fiction / 100’ / 35 mm / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: English, Hindi
Shooting Start: 03/2012
Total Budget: 109’202 Euro
Funds Secured: 0
Production Company: VaVa Arts
Contacts: [email protected] (Vasant Nath)
12
The Trapper’s SnareShankerRaman
SynopsisThe Trapper’s Snareisthespiritualjourneyof15yearoldSundaran,hisexperiencesand
realizations,andhisriteofpassageintoadulthood.TheonlychildofaTamiltribalfamilyinSriLanka,Sundaran’sparentsarebirdtrappers.Hisfather,Shaktivel,isademon,absorbedineithersettingupsnaresorindulgingindrink.Shankari,Sundaran’smotherisgentle,softspokenanddotesonherson.Trappedbythedominanceofherhusband,shehandcraftscagestohousetheensnaredbirdsandsellsthematthelocalmarketplace.Sundaranhasbeeninandoutofsicknessallhislife.Havingrecoveredfromanotherboutof
malaria,heaccompanieshisfatherforahuntinthewoods.Underhisfather’sstrictwatch,hereluctantlylaysasnareforthefirsttime.Intheeveninghefindsaswallowcaughtinthesnare,withitslegbroken,flappingabout
helplesslyinpain.Soonthebirddies.Crushedbythebird’sdeath,Sundaranfallssickagain.Hesuffersfromfeverandsevere
coughingfits.ItisincreasinglycleartoShankari,thatundertheassaultinggazeofhercoldheartlesshusband,hersonwillnotsurvive.Thecivilwarisraging.SinhalaandTamils,BuddhistsandHindus.Alifesizemonumentofthe
Buddhahascomeupovernightinthetownsquare.IthasledtoprotestsbytheminorityTamilcommunity,angeredbythedestructionoftheirhousesofworship.Amidstallthemadnessofprotestsagainsttheerectionofthestatue,Shankarinotices
hersonenrapturedbythefaceofBuddha.SensingawaytosavehersonfromthediabolicalShaktivel,Shankari,inasupremeactofsacrificeanddefiance,givesawaySundarantoaBuddhistmonastery.Ordainedasanovicemonk,Sundaran,nowknownasBhikkuRahula,leadsanorderlyanddisciplinedlifeattheforestmonastery.ItseemsthesufferingofyoungRahulaisfinallyover.Butnotforlong.HisfriendandcompanionIssa,killshimself,tormentedbyself-doubt.AfrightenedRahula,
runsawaytofindhismotherinthetownsquare,onlytobecaughtinafreakexplosiondecapitatingthestatueofBuddha,killinghismotherandseveringhisrightarm.Rahularecovers,rescuedbyaprostitute,Sita,whorunsabrothelforthehandicapped.Rahulaissuckedintothisworld,amicrocosmofhell,untilaclumsy,coitalexperiencewithSita,makeshimexaminehisdesireforloveandcompanionship.Thefilmisameditationonthesignificanceofwhatoneisabletoorwillingtoleavebehind.
Director’s NoteMyexperiencewithfilminginconflictareas,triggeredquestionsaboutreligion,identityandthevalueofhumanlife.SriLankahaswitnessedimmensesufferingasaresultofthecivilwar.Itmademewonderwhatmighthavespawnedviolenceinaplace,whichhaspreservedtheoriginalteachingsoftheBuddhainpracticeandintextform.TheBuddhashowedthewaytotheendofsuffering.MyHindutraditionindicatesthatsufferingispurelyaconsequenceofpastactions,whilemyrationalmindarguedthatIamfullyresponsiblefortheoutcomeofmylife.Sowhatcausessuffering?Isitfate?Orisitamatterofchoice?
Shanker RamanDirector
Director’s BiographyShankerRamanisanawardwinningcinematographerhavingworkedprofessionallyoverthelast15yearsonseveraldocumentaries,shorts,featurefilmsandTVcommercials.Aftercompletinghisbachelor’sinPhysicshewentontomajorinCinematographyfromtheFilmandTVInstituteofIndia,Pune.The Trapper’s SnareishisthirdfeatureasawriterandfirstasDirector.
FilmographyFrozen(2007)Peepli Live(2010)Patang (The Kite)(2011)
Production Company’s profile ChasingTalesisaproductioncompanyrunbyAamirBashir&ShankerRaman.Harud(Autumn)istheirdebutfeatureproducedwiththesupportofHubertBalsFund.DirectedbyAamirBashir,ithastraveledtomajorinternationalfilmfestivals.ItwontheDonQuixoteAwardatFribourgInternationalFilmFestival(2011).The Trapper’s Snareistheirsecondfeature.
Filmography Production (all projects)Harud (Autumn), AamirBashir(2010)The Trapper’s Snare, ShankerRaman(2012)
Technical Information
Fiction / 110’ / 35mm / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: Tamil, Sinhala, English
Shooting Start: 12 /2011
Total Budget: 750’000 Euro
Funds Secured: 10’000 Euro
Production Company: Chasing Tales
Contacts: [email protected] (Shanker Raman)
[email protected] (Rucha Pathak)
Rucha Pathak Producer
13
Thread (Le Fil)LiliumLéonard
SynopsisTheSuryacircustravelsaroundruralIndiaofferingtothecommonpeopletoforgetalltheir
worriesastheywatchtheincredibleandthespectacularspringoutofthepitofanarena.However,itisfarfromthetumultandthelimelightofthestagethatliesthemostuncannyperformanceofthefairgroundcommunity:itisintheirdailyscoresascostumedesignersforthecircusthatthetwocontortionists,NishaandSandhyadisplaythemoststrikingimageofthetiethatlinksthemboth.NishaandSandhyaareasinseparableandindivisibleastheirstagecharacterswhosebodies
everynightmingle.Theirbondissuchthatitextendstotheperfectcoordinationoftheireachandeverymoveandthegirlsseemtomeltinoneanotherwhentheystitchapieceofclothtogether.Theylivehappilyinthecircusuntiltheyoungest,insearchofheridentityandwillingtoassertherindividuality,showssignsofindependence.Sandhyadreamsofrecognitionandwishesthataspectatorwilltakeheroutofthecircus
boundaries,backtotheoutsidelifeshehasforgottenallabout.Likemostofthecircusartists,Sandhyawasboughtfromherfamilytoservethefairgroundcommunity.Nisha,whodeliberatelyjoinedthecircus,knowsthatonecannotescapefromthisadoptivefamilywhichreducesitschildrentoslavery.Shewitnessedinheryouth,themurderofanartistwhotriedtoescapeandkeptitasecret.WhenSandhyacametothecircus,Nishatookherunderherwingtosootheherpainandfromasimpleseamstress,shebecameacontortionistperformingsidebysidewithherapprentice.ButasSandhyamovesawayfromNishatowardsanimpossibledream,Nishaishaunted
bytheghostofherpastabandonmentthatledhertothecircus.TherelationshipoftheinseparablesholdstoastringwhenNishadecidestostitchherselftoSandhyatorefrainherfromleavingtheencampment.Thinkingsheisthussavingherfromacertaindeath,sherisksloosingherownselfintheprocess,buttheirfusionissuchthatitultimatelysurvivesthismutilation.Withoutknowingit,thetwoyounggirlswritetogetheranewlegendofthecircus:byacceptingtobestitchedtoNisha,Sandhyashattersthemoralofthecommunitywhoabandonsthemonstrouscouple.Overwhelmedwiththeirnewfoundfreedom,theywalksidebysidetowardsavillagetheyseeinthedistance,withoutnoticingthatthethreadboundingthemloosensabitmoreateachsteptofinallydisappear,carriedbythewind.
Director’s NoteThreadcomesfrommyencounterwithfilmandIndia.Ofallofmyfilmprojectsitistheonewhichreflectsthemostmyprofessionalgoalinthedesiretoembracemycountryoforigin.InIndia,everythinganditscontraryseemtocoexistinanemotionalmaelstromwhichdrivesusinevitablytowardsexistentialquestions.ItisthisfeelingofbeingoverwhelmedwithdiverseemotionswhichquestionsourperceptionthatIwouldliketoexplore.WiththisfilmIintenttoquestionthemeaningoflifeinaninnocentyetvisceralwaytocreateafantasytalewhichwillbringusbacktotheprimitivefearofseparationandabandonmentonlytotranscendit.
Lilium LéonardDirector
Director’s BiographyLiliumLéonardisbothIndianandFrench.ShegrewupinPariswhereshestudiedFilmtheoryatLaSorbonneUniversitybeforereturningtoIndiatospecialiseinFilmdirectionattheFilmandTelevisionInstituteofIndia.Thread,herdiplomafilm,wontheBestShortFilmAwardattheThirdEyeAsianFilmFestival(Mumbai)andattheAsianHotShotsFilmFestival(Berlin).
FilmographyNisha, the Mark of the Cow(2008)Thread(2009)Rasika(2011)
Technical Information
Fiction / 90’ / HD / Colour
Production Status: Writing & development
Shooting Language: Hindi, English and other Indian languages
Shooting Start: Summer 2012
Total Budget: 300’000 Euro
Funds Secured: 0
Contacts: [email protected] (Lilium Léonard)
14
Vidhvastha (Devastated)AshishAvikunthak
SynopsisAnniruddhPandey,amiddle-agedpolicehitman(encounter-specialist)withtheMumbai
policeforce.Hehasconductedcloseto100extrajudicialkillingofmenbelongingtoMuslimmafiainMumbai.Hehasbeensuspendedfromthepoliceforcebecauseofhumanrightviolations.Heisnowgoingthroughanexistentialcrisis.Thisisreflectedwithhisrelationshipwithhisyounggirlfriend-Neha,withwhomhehasadehumanizingsexualrelationship.Theymeetinseedyhotelroomsandhavesex.InbetweentheconversationsAnnirudhoccasionallyboasts-howhekillsMuslimmenfalselylabelingthemasmafiaoperatives.Hevividlyrecountsingraphicdetailshowhetorturesthemandthendisposesthem.AfteranaggressiveargumentNehaleaveshim.OneeveningLanceNaikAmarinderSinghBhatu-aSikhsolideroftheJatRegimentoftheIndianArmyforcesintotheAnnirudhhouse.EvenbeforeopeninghismouthAmarinderSinghstartsbrutallyhittingAnnidrudhwithhisriflebutt.Andthenhandcuffshim.HechidesAnnirudhaboutthewayhekillsinnocentMuslimsinBombay.InsteadAmarinderSinghbragsinexplicitdetailshowhekilledMuslimmeninKashmir,howherapedyoungMuslimgirls,andhadsexwithdeadmutilatedbodies.HesayshelearnthowtokillwhenhesawHindumenburningalivehisfather,grandfatherandhisbrotherintheDelhiriotsof1984.Hewas6yearsold.AmarinderSinghthenrapesAnnirudh.HesubsequentlytakestheknifeofhisarmyrifleandblindsAnnirudh.AndAnnirudhfaints.AmarinderSinghgoesintothebathroom.Removeshisuniform.Heshavesofhisbeard.Heshaveshishead.Helooksintomirror,startschantingmantrasfromGurbani(Sikhholybook)andshootshimselfinhishead.NehareturnstoAnnirudh’shousetohelphimandsee’sthathelookingforhisrevolvertokillhimself.ShethentakeshimoutthroughthestreetsofMumbaitilltheyreachanemptylevelcrossingwheresheleavesAnnirudhandafasttrainrunshimover.Vidhvasthaisapsycho-politicalfilmthatsymbolicallyexplorespenetratingviolencebythe
stateinIndiancontemporarysocietyontotheintimatespheresofindividuals.
Director’s NoteThefilmispivotedonthreespectacularformsofviolencethathavepervadedcontemporaryIndiansociety–extrajudicialkillings;anti-insurgencyviolence;thecommunalriots.Myfilmisametaphoricexaminationoftheseformsofviolenceanditsimpactontheconsciousnessofindividualperpetratorsofthatviolence.ThisisapoliticalfilminthetruestsensethatbringsthespectreofviolenceintothemakingofcontemporaryIndia.Idon’tofferhope,becauseIdonotseehope.ViolencebegetsviolenceandtheonlyrecoursethatIofferisself-destruction.Thismightableakfilm,butthatisbecausethefutureisbleak.
Ashish AvikunthakDirector,Producer
Director’s BiographyAshishhasbeenmakingfilmsforthepast15years.Hisfilmshavebeenshownworldwideinfilmfestivals,galleriesandmuseums-TateModern,CentrePompidou,alongwithRotterdam,andBerlinfilmfestivals.HisfirstfeatureShadows FormlesspremieredatFestivaldelfilmLocarnoin2007.HehasaPhDinculturalanthropologyandnowteachesatUniversityofRhodeIsland.
FilmographyShadows Formless(2007)Vakratunda Sawha(2010)Katho Upanishad (2011)
Production Company’s profile AshishAvikunthakProductionhasproducedhalfadozenofshortfilmsandtwofeaturefilmssince1995.Inthecourseofthelast15yearshasinvestedaboutEuros100,000inthemakingoffilmsthatbreaktheboundariesofimaginationinIndiancinema.Atthemomentthecompanyisinvolvedwiththemakingof4featurelengthfilms,whichithopestoreleaseinthenext4years.
Filmography ProductionShadows Formless(2007)Vakratunda Sawha(2010)Katho Upanishad(2011)Moloy Mukherjee
Producer
Technical Information
Fiction / 85’ / Super 16 mm / Colour
Production Status: Production
Shooting Language: Hindi
Shooting Start: 12/2011
Total Budget: 99’500 Euro
Funds Secured: 60’000 Euro
Production Company: Ashish Avikunthak Productions
Contacts: [email protected] (Ashish Avikunthak)
15
Friday 5th August OpenDoorsWelcomeDrink Byinvitationonly
Saturday 6th August MeetingsonetooneCinéfondation(ClubOpenDoors)
OpenDoorsWorkshop(Palavideo)
Sunday 7th August MeetingsonetooneOpenDoors(ClubOpenDoors)
CarteBlancheColombia(Palavideo)
Monday 8th August MeetingsonetooneOpenDoors(ClubOpenDoors)
Tuesday 9th August RoundTable(Forum–SpazioCinema)
OpenDoorsAwardCeremony(Forum–SpazioCinema)
TocompletetheOpenDoorsprogramandtocreatebridgesbetweentheFestival’saudienceandOpenDoors,aselectionofIndianfilmswillbepresentedintheOpen Doors Screening.
For more informations: opendoors.pardo.ch
OpenDoors6–9|8|2011
Festival del film Locarno3 – 13 | 8 | 2011
GraphicDesignLucaSpinosa,FestivaldelfilmLocarno
AteliersduCinémaEuropéen(ACE)ARTECentrenationalducinémaetdel’imageanimée(CNC)Cinéfondation,FestivaldeCannesEuropeanAudiovisualEntrepreneurs(EAVE)EuropeanProducersClub(EPC)ProducersNetwork,MarchéduFilm,FestivaldeCannesvisionssudest
Inpartnershipwith:
The Festival would like to thank
Acknowledgments:OlivierPère,ArtisticDirectorNadiaDresti,DelegatetotheArtisticDirection/HeadofIndustryOfficeMartinaMalacrida,HeadofOpenDoorsNathalieSoldini,CoordinatorOpenDoors
Open Doors Selection Committee: OlivierPèreMartinaMalacridaNathalieSoldiniSunilDoshi,IndiaconsultantforOpenDoorsMeenakshiShedde,IndiaconsultantforOpenDoorsJean-MichelFrodon,Journalist