The Mumbai International Film Festival has begun. The first day is always exciting as as the eye, ears and mind are yet to be subjected to the onslaught of world cinema and are thus comparatively fresh and less exploited as they would soon be!
Unlike last time when I was prepared with what films to watch and why, this time I had just one criteria- Nationality! I was to watch films that I would not get to see easily, meaning East European, South American and some other random ones that shall fit in my schedule! :P
The last criteria of the above led me to the first film of the day-“Lumekuninganna meaning- “Snow Queen”, a film from Estonia!- Directed by Marko Raat... now that’s world cinema for you and keeping with its reputation the film had abundant pauses, silences and empty frames. It was the story of a middle aged woman suffering from cancer who surrounds herself with snow and in between this bizarre act of hers there is a young boy who is infatuated by her and clings on to her in his assumption of love and desire for sex.
The second film was from the country whose cinema, lifestyle and depiction I simply adore- Iran. The film named: “Chiz- Haie Hast Keh Nemidani” meaning –“There are things you don’t know” directed by Fardin Saheb Zamani. A story of a reclusive taxi driver who lives a monotonous life. It was amusing to see the manner in which the passengers’ conversations and behaviour seemed amusing from his point of view. I will definitely be more conscious in a cab or auto the next time!
Also his own personal relationships and their effect on him was very fluidly and pleasantly depicted.
The third film was an Indian- Malayalee film called “Veettliekkulla” meaning- “The Way Home”. The director along with some key HOD’s and the lead actor of the film were present to introduce the film which was about a doctor whose wife and son get killed in a terrorist attack in Delhi. By a quirk of fate the doctor ends up embarking on a journey to reunite a 5 year old boy with his father and that father is none other then the-Leader of the Indian Jihadi movement- the man who plotted the terror attacks in which the doctor lost his family!!! I was blown away by the framing i.e. shot taking of the film. Right from the opening frame I was falling in love with the frames. The film however got timid and too convenient in patches leaving a not so awe inspiring after taste but it was a brave effort that is pulled of decently.
The last film of the day was when the Rada happened. Chaos, Yelling, Tempers soaring and stalling the films screening preceded this film from USA - “The Social Network” directed by David Fincher about the man, the con and law suits behind the supremely addictive and popular website Facebook.
This film was not on my list as it is to release in India within a couple of months and can also be easily acquired. However since it was in the same screen where I had just finished watching my third film, I stayed put. What followed was some extremely shoddy display of organization by the festival organisers. Despite there being space in the cinema hall hundreds of people were locked out of the hall. Top three rows were reserved for Minisha Lamba and her gang of friends! Amidst cries of protests and arguments from of us seated in to let in the crowd locked outside, the national anthem was played and the film began.
This arrogance however only strengthened our resolve.
All of us began chanting in one voice to stop the film and let those stranded outside to be allowed in so that they can fill in the empty spaces. Finally after 45 minutes of protests the organisers opened the gates to the cinema lovers and the screening began again from the beginning and went on as freely and seamlessly as it should at a film festival! The film was very good and the joy of having managed to put the arrogant and clueless organisers in their rightful place only made the experience more sweeter.
Now for day 2ººº tomorrowººº
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