“I WAS NOT JUST DOCUMENTING OUR HOUSE, BUT ALSO A CULTURE WHICH IS SLOWLY ERODING.”

Achal Mishra’s potent debut “Gamak Ghar” won the Manish Acharya Award for New Voices in Indian Cinema at Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star 2019, deservedly so. He has successfully emerged as an interesting voice in the independent Indian cinema with his first feature that harmonizes itself with the stories about us or the stories attached to us by reflecting the transformation of the events of the present to the bittersweet memories of the future. In our interview with Achal Mishra, we asked the young passionate mind to deconstruct his perspective on one of the best Indian films of the year so far and understand his approach to the craft, as well as his inspirations. Continue reading Interview with Achal Mishra (Gamak Ghar) →

Being gay is not less than a taboo that many people may assume even today and Tathagata Ghosh directed ‘Miss Man’, a short film addressing the same issue, perfectly sums up what it feels like to be a gay.  After being shunned by his homophobic father for his sexuality and his lover for not being a woman, Manob finds himself travelling to the city for a sex change operation. However, as he struggles with his identity, he faces challenges and questions he may not be ready to confront yet. Continue reading Tathagata’s short ‘Miss Man’ creating waves →

Oscar-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese writes about the intimate image of India that Satyajit Ray’s films presented to the world.

In the relatively short history of cinema, Satyajit Ray is one of the names that we all need to know, whose films we all need to see.  And to revisit, as I do pretty frequently. Continue reading Martin Scorsese: ‘Satyajit Ray’s artistry, filmmaking took my breath away’ →

Interview by Sasha Sulim

Russian director Pavel Lungin’s new film Brotherhood is out in Russian theaters, but its journey to this point has not been easy. The pacifist film,  which depicts the withdrawal of Soviet troops at the close of the brutal Afghan war, struggled to attract funds despite approval from prominent veterans. After a successful premier, the film raised hackles among some government officials, most prominently Senator Igor Morozov, who called the movie “unpatriotic.” After Morozov’s criticism came to light, Russian culture minister Vladimir Medinsky asked for the film’s government-approved public release date to be pushed back by a day so that it would not coincide with Victory Day,  which is celebrated on May 9. In advance of the film’s release, Sasha Sulim spoke with Lungin about making Brotherhood and watching Russian society grapple with its demons. Continue reading Interview to Pavel Lungin (Brotherhood, Official Section) →

By JYOTHI VENKATESH  for  BOLLYY

You made your debut with the Malayalam film Unto the Dusk in 2014 which was showcased at IFFK, Bengaluru Film Festival and MAMI when you were just 26 years old.  Ayaal Sassi was your second Malayalam film as a director in 2017.  Your latest film Biriyaani has just won the Best Film award at the recently concluded 12th Bengaluru International Film Festival. What inspired you to make Biriyaani?

My debut film Unto the Dusk,  questioned conventional mores and sanctity of familial bonds. Ayaal Sassi, my second film, tracked a man’s desperate craving for publicity and how he would go to any length to become the cynosure of all eyes. The plot of my third film Biriyaani was culled by me from a childhood event which has ingrained in my mind.  I have always been passionate about Cinema right from my childhood. Continue reading Interview to Sajin Babu (Biriyaani. Official Section) →

Talking about Satyajit Ray and his cinema in a very short span is really difficult.  He is no doubt a complete artist and one who is a master in so many different aspects of cinema and culture.

Realism in Satyajit Ray’s cinema is the very first of its kind in the context of Indian cinema.  Earlier mostly cinematic expressions were borrowed heavily from theatre and also literature.

Ray was one of the first who showed how to evolve a cinematic language which is distinct from theatre and literature. Continue reading Acting in Satyajit Ray,s cinema →