All-Lights-Film-Magazine-12

VOLUME 12 FEBRUARY 2014

Highlights of

EFM 2014 Meet the

5Legends of

world

CINEMA G.J Entertainment

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY

Presents

RUPESH PAUL

D .GEORGE JOHN CO-PRODUCER/PROJECT DESIGNER SOHAN ROY PRODUCTION HOUSE RPPL EDITOR KISHORE TE, HARSHA DOP SAPAN NARULA STUNT DIRECTORS KECHA KHAMPHAKDEE, MICHAEL S RAJ CHOREOGRAPHY SAROJ KHAN, SHIVA SHANKAR, VIJAY PRAKASH COSTUME DESIGNER NEETA LULLA PRODUCTION CONTROLLER SAGAR THACKER www.kamasutra3d.in EXECUTIVE PRODUCER R

: [email protected]

: +91 812 9081090

®

For sales contact: email: [email protected]

Editorial

‘Ich Bin Ein BERLINER’ John F. Kennedy said- “All free men, where ever they may live, are citizens of Berlin. And therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ (I am a citizen of Berlin). The historic city of Berlin is known for its festivals, diverse architecture, night life, contemporary arts and love for cinema. The city is all set to host the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale 2014) from the 6th to 16th of February 2014. As the first major film event of the year, Berlinale is considered as a barometer of the upcoming year for the global film industry. More than 300000 sold tickets, almost 20000 professional visitors from 124 countries, around 3700 journalists from all over the world, art, glamour, parties, networking and business are the highlights of this festival, apart from screening of films. Around four hundred films, mostly international or European premieres are screened every year. Films of every genre, length and format find their place under various categories. Great international cinema in the ‘Competition’, independent and art house in ‘Panorama’, films for young audiences in ‘Generation’, new discoveries and promising talents from the German film scene in ‘Perspektive Deutsches Kino’, experimental cinema in the ‘Forum’, and an exploration of cinematic possibilities in ‘Berlinale shorts’.

entertainment and news media converge at the EFM to negotiate film rights and to foster business network. Around four hundred companies and more than eight thousand professionals from over ninety five countries make it to the film market. All lights, a film magazine endeavoring to promote good cinema on a global basis, released its inaugural issue at ‘Berlinale 2011’. We dedicate this issue to ‘Berlinale 2014’. Apart from the cover story on one of the most awaiting movies of 2014 ‘Kamasutra 3D’, we have a feature on the 5 great legends of world cinema, another article on the magnificent changes fetch out by film makers like Almadovar, Tornatore, Emir Kustarica etc. in European cinema. A film festival is a cultural statement of what the state and its people seek to highlight as their dominant concerns... Come to Berlinale to proclaim freedom... ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ !!

One of the key attractions of Berlinale is the European Film Market (EFM). EFM is one of the most important international film industry gatherings. Film buyers and sellers, producers, distributors and financiers as well as representatives of the global tv, home

Editor

ALL LIGHTS, FEBRUARY 2014

01

Contents

CONTENTS

VOLUME 12 February 2014

Spotlight 03 To the European Film Market - The highlights of EFM 2014

Coverstory 06 'Kamasutra 3D’-A perfect blend of music, epic and the erotica - covers one of the most anticipating movies of the year 2014

Filmosphere 12 The Legends of World Cinema - Features some of the outstanding personalities who marked their own footsteps in world cinema

Get to know it 31 Winds of Change in European Cinema - Highlights the magnificent changes fetch out by film makers like Almadovar, Tornatore, Emir Kustarica etc in European cinema

34 Indian Movies Going Global - List of some of the exceptional regional movies from the Indian subcontinent which are on the threshold of international recognition

38 Most Anticipated Movies of 2014

Publisher: All Lights Editor: Lakshmy Ravindran Sub Editors: Neha Nair, Sajo John Contributing Editors: Shahin Aziz, Naseema Nasrin Publicity Nisha Joseph, Arun M Sugathan Advertising & Sales Nisha Joseph, Suresh Kumar Art & Layout: Antony George For Editorial Contents Email: [email protected] To advertise: Email: [email protected] Web: www.alllightsfilmmagazine.com ©All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without express written consent of Publisher Copyright©2013

02


Spotlight

To the European Film Market Oliver Möst © Berlinale/EFM 2012

The atrium of the second official EFM location, the Marriott Hotel Hotel at Potsdamer Platz

N

ew year is an occasion filled with happiness, magical moments and gives you plenty of memorable moments to cherish through the year. While, every corner of the world enthusiastically gears up to welcome the year ahead with style, there is one such place which you would definitely not like to miss - Berlin. Blending the Old and New, innovative and historical - Berlin is a city full of contradictions. Vibrant lights and fireworks, makes this attractive place lively and exuberantly overwhelming. But, Berlin's highly charged atmosphere is duly reflected by the energy of one of the largest film markets in the world - European Film Market (EFM).

As one of the leading film festivals in the world, which serves distributors, film buyers, producers, financiers and co-producers, EFM is considered to be a forum for upcoming artists. A cosmopolitan character integrating art, glamour, commerce and global media attention, this nine day festival will start this year on February 6th at the magnificent Renaissance Exhibition Hall of Martin-Gropius-Bau (MGB). The official second location is the EFM Marriott Offices and Stands in the deluxe modern Marriott Hotel, both just minutes away from the festival headquarters at Potsdamer Platz in the heart of contemporary Berlin. EFM is the first major festival of the year which sets


03

Spotlight parameters for upcoming year in film. Each year producers, distributors, buyers and sales agents converge at the film festival where both commercial art - house and specialized mainstream cinema are screened. EFM provides the attendees a marketplace where they can discover the best quality products in film business and keep in pace with the latest industry trends from all over the world. In this film market, movies of every genre, length and format find their place in various sections which include great international cinema in the Competition, independent and art house in Panorama, films for young audiences in Generation, new discoveries and promising talents from the German film scene in Perspektive Deutsches Kino, avant garde,

connections. It promotes emerging talents, and facilitates collaborations and provides platform for new developments. Under the auspices of the EFM, the Berlinale Co - Production Market is an intensive two and a half day event where international producers and financiers meet with the goal of finding partners for selected projects. Since its inception in 2004, Berlinale Co-Production Market have prearranged inneumerable meetings and causal encounters which led to many newly started movies and collaborations. Last year about 50 US indies were showcased to almost 1700 buyers in these sections. American Independents in Berlin is an initiative organized by the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) and the Sundance Institute which sets forth a long

EFM Director Beki Probst on EFM 2014 "The world keeps moving and changing, and so does the EFM. We are looking forward to welcome the international film industry back in February in Berlin. We are happy to re-add the newly renovated and equipped Zoo Palast to our Market screening facilities again. EFM films will be screened in five cinemas of this premium state-of-the-art movie theatre this year." "I'm also very pleased to have found an excellent partner for the EFM co-director position. The EFM and its further development will undoubtedly profit from Andrea Kaul's extensive experience in management and marketing." Oliver Möst © Berlinale/EFM 2012

experimental and unfamiliar cinematography in the Forum and Forum Expanded, and an exploration of cinematic possibilities in Berlinale Shorts. The Berlinale Special, including Berlinale Special Gala, is showing new and extraordinary productions and honours great cinema personalities. The programme is rounded out by a Retrospective as well as an Homage, which focuses on the œuvre of a great personality of cinema, curated by the Deutsche Kinemathek - Museum für Film und Fernsehen. Beginning in 2013, the Retrospective expanded to include presentations of Berlinale Classics which showed current restorations of film classics as well as rediscovered films. European Film Market is all about making

04


Oliver Möst © Berlinale/EFM 2012

tradition with the American Independents. A special lounge at the MGB is set up for Independent film makers to meet and discuss. The screening series "IFP Selects" and "Sundance at EFM" is also organized where variety of new US indies is showcased to international buyers. Under this new header, the well established market sidebar "Straight from Sundance" will continue for the tenth consecutive year. The EFM Industry Debates in cooperation with the Hollywood Reporter, Screen International are three panel discussions focusing on current and future industry issues with international experts. This forum provides brings together producers, buyers, film financiers and industry experts from all areas of the entertainment industry together to provide insight in a

relaxed atmosphere. Panel discussions are also followed by an audience discussion and a networking reception.

9 days a total of 816 films were shown at 1,166

Established in 2009, Meet the Docs is a platform to facilitate networking among buyers, sellers, directors and producers of documentary films hosted in collaboration with the European Documentary network. This year, Meet the Docs will include daily information sessions: Meet the Broadcasters, Meet the Distributors and Meet the festivals, daily series of informal Meet the Docs Talks, individual consultation, match making service and one on one meeting with representatives of the documentary film festivals, IDFA and DOK Leipzig.

8000 participants from 95 countries, the number of

presentations in the EFM's 40 screening venues; almost 600 of them were market premiers. With over visitors to EFM were greater than 2012. A total of 1000 visitors attended EFM Industry debates presented by the IFA, and different talks for the industry, organized in conjunction with the EFM's new partner Film- und Medienstiftung NRW. This year, EFM plans to be much bigger than its previous predecessors in terms of attendance and screenings. A new screening facility, Zoo Palast has also been opened this year where five refurbished and state-ofthe-art cinemas are available for market screenings.

German Cinema - LOLA @ Berlinale is the EFM

Oliver Möst © Berlinale/EFM 2012

The impressive atrium of the Martin-Gropius-Bau- the central meeting place for EFM participants

sidebar presenting films long listed in categories feature, children's and documentary film for the German film Awards (aka Lola) by the German Film Academy. The series is a joint project of the Berlin International Film festival, the German Film Academy and German Films. The German Cinema screenings are open to accredited national and international professionals as well as to the members of German Film Academy. This year again, the long standing head of German Cinema Heinz Badewitz will continue to host this series. With a record turnout, 2013 had been a successful year for the film festival. Nearly 19,360 accredited visitors from 124 countries attended the film festival, including 3,695 representatives of the press. Though

EFM also organizes programs of special presentations that open up new perspectives, provide insight to key themes, make new connections and explore realms where film intersects with other creative disciplines. The close connection between the festival and market is a unique characteristic of the Berlinale which always results in exceptional synergies. EFM's 64th edition scheduled this year yet again promises to remain as a source of inspiration for the global film community where forums of corporation and possibilities of creative interaction are countless. With 64th European Film Market opening as the first film festival of the year, we look forward to meet you at Berlin - Wir sehen uns in Berlin!


05

Cover Story

Thus a man practicing Dharma, Artha and Kama enjoys happiness both in this world and in the world to come

H

ere's a notable quote from the book Kamasutra, in which the author Vatsyayana confirms that none of the goals of a good life - duty, wealth and pleasure, interferes with each other. And taking that as an analogy, a 3D film that shares the same name as the book now follows suit when it comes to classic erotica, melodious indulgence and the war epic. Recently, when the Oscar contention lists were released, ‘Kamasutra 3D’- the most awaited movie of the year and a subject of intense speculations and controversies, has broken the shackles of negative criticism by a few, who claimed the movie to be a soft porn. The film made a grand entry at the prestigious contention list of the 86th Academy Awards, with the selection in three categories - Best Motion Picture, Original Score and Original Song with 5 songs. According to the movie director Rupesh Paul, the entry proved to be an answer to all of them who thought that the film is just a soft

06


A perfect blend of music, epic and the erotica

porn. "Hopefully, they know that soft porn is not eligible for the Academy Award nominations", he said. Admitting that with the release of its work-in-progress trailer of ‘Kamasutra 3D’ critically came out to be more of a Hollywood war based epic movie than a classic erotica, the director confirmed that he will not disappoint his viewers who expect sensuality in the film. At the same time, he classifies the genre of his movie as musical rather than epic or erotica as he believes that the film is more influenced with its melody over the drama. Scripted and penned by Rupesh Paul himself, the movie is set in the backdrop of the real historical milieu portraying the journey of a soulful love embodied with betrayal and war. It weaves the transformative changes in body, mind and soul by the forbidden world of sexual love and sensuality. The production house plans to release ‘Kamasutra 3D’ in three versions. Rupesh said "We are targeting the Video On Demand market as we can show our uncut film there. We have made another version for family viewing as that is a big audience in India and we don't want to miss out on that one. We also have theatrical version." The director justifies the reasons for releasing three versions. "Our people have double standards. If an Indian film like 'Nasha' was banned on the grounds of having a provocative title, our film will definitely be banned in its hard version. In the tourism campaign 'Incredible India', India is promoted as a land of

Kamasutra, but I vividly remember the fight Meera Nair had to put up to release her film in India." Ever since the makers revealed the first look with Sherlyn Chopra posing nude, the movie has been in the news. "No other Indian actress can dream of doing Kamasutra. She plays the role of the sex goddess," the director has high regards for the ‘Kamasutra 3D’ is my lead actress. He adds that 19 first international Indian film actresses are appearing venture as Executive nude in the world version of the Producer. The movie film. It is interesting to know that the film does not portray any has got a good theme, particular period of any empire. and I look forward to an "No character in the film has enthusiastic reception names. There is no time, names or to the movie from all era mentioned in it. People address corners of the globe. a king as a King and queen as a queen," says Rupesh. In the director's words, "the movie will cross all the false barriers set in our Indian tradition, regarding our value and moral systems". He says Indian morality has to lose its prudish psyche resulted from decades of Colonialism. Sherlyn Chopra, the sexy siren, plays the substantial character of an Aphrodite, in this much anticipated movie. Other actors on screen include Milind Gunaji,

Dr. George John Executive Producer ‘Kamasutra 3D’


07

Cover Story

Nasser, Makarand Deshpande, Maleena Khan, Salim Kumar, Sushmita Mukherjee, Gajendra Chauhan, Mohan Kapoor, Amit Bahl etc. King Malkhan will debut in the film as the male lead portraying the character of a Prince and a 'Naga Sanyasi'.

Rupesh had conceived the idea of making the movie three years back but then he decided put it as his tribute to 100 years of Indian cinema. In the movie, he embraces the subject of sexuality aesthetically and treats sex off its vulgarity. When asked by a media personnel about the use of nudity in the movie, he reminded that Indian law is not against nudity but against obscenity. After breaking all records for pre-sale rights at the Cannes Film Festival 2013 and creating a wave at the American Film Market 2013 with its sale in most of the territories, ‘Kamasutra 3D’ is all hopeful to make it to the final nominations of the categories in the 86th Academy Awards to be announced on January 16, 2014 in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Sohan Roy Co Producer & Project Designer ‘Kamasutra 3D’

08


The director Rupesh Paul, with his selection in the contention list for the 86th Academy Awards, thanks Sohan Roy, the co-producer and production designer of the movie. While speaking to the press, he said, "It is my best moment of the film, and I want to give this entire credit to Sohan as he is the man behind making it reach the Oscars. I am really thankful to him as he got me through the technical specifications for the selection of ‘Kamasutra 3D’ in this dream platform". Humbly admitting that the budget was one of the biggest concerns that he had to

encounter during the ‘Kamasutra 3D’ filming, Rupesh said "We have been facing a serious budget problem after we went on the floor. But I am lucky to have producers who didn't even make me feel the pressure." The movie, scheduled to be released on May 23, 2014, is presented by Dr. George John (GJ Entertainments) under the banner of Rupesh Paul Productions Ltd. (RPPL). For the Executive Producer of ‘Kamasutra 3D’, Dr. George John, who is a world renowned Sports surgeon based in Dubai, it is a launch pad for his new entertainment venture GJ Entertainment. After the successful launch of GJ Entertainment through ‘Kamasutra 3D’, the company is planning to produce more international movies in the future. For the UAE based filmmaker Sohan Roy, this is an "Oscar Hat-trick" in a row as his first two ventures 'DAM999' and ‘SaintDracula 3D’ had entered Oscars shortlists in 2012 and 2013. He is also the founder of NRIPA (Non-Resident Indian Producers Association), the most distinguished conglomeration of creative minds and investors in global entertainment conclaves, where stalwarts join hands with beginners to meet new challenges and tap new opportunities. As ‘Kamasutra 3D’ was made under the close monitoring of NRIPA, its success shall give a lot of confidence for the new comers to the entertainment industry.

Rupesh Paul Director ‘Kamasutra 3D’


09

Cover Story

10


Rupesh Paul started his journey in the creative field at a very young age as he entered the world of poetry and was appreciated through opinions and accolades. When he was just 10 years old, he won an award for the Best Young Poet. His work became an instant hit with three editions published in the fastest manner ever. Later, he joined India's largest circulated regional daily as sub editor and then moved on to become a senior correspondent with a reputed family magazine. Lately, he headed to achieve his dream in filmmaking. The poet at heart turned a Film maker, faced the difficulties of acceptance in the film field. His first movie, 'The Temptations between My Legs', was denied a censor board certificate. Thereafter, one of his movie, 'Pithavum Kanyakayum', made its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, 2010. His next attempt 'One Cannot Step into the Same River Twice', put him in the spotlight. The movie was screened at the Cannes Film Festival of 2012 and Florence Film Festival, Italy. In his next Malayalam venture, 'Laptop', Rupesh attempted a new wave Korean technique in narration which was a new treat to the audience. Life took a turn when his movie, 'Mrugam', was selected at the Cannes, the following year. There, he met Mr. Sohan Roy who was impressed by his story, 'The Seventh Bride of Dracula'. They both then came together and 'Saint Dracula 3D' - the movie, was the

outcome. The film bagged 3 long listings at the Academy awards for Best Motion Picture, Original Background Score, and Best Original Song. For a man whose movie received three Oscar long listings, he remains grounded to say that he survived on green apples and wine at Cannes, someday. And for his latest movie ‘Kamasutra 3D’, Rupesh continues to astonish average Indian sensibilities, which sets him apart and takes him far. ‘Kamasutra 3D’ is the only movie with 5 songs after 'The Great Gatsby' to be selected in the Original Song category. The songs include - Aygiri Nandini, Saawariya, I Felt, Of Soil and Har Har Mahadeva composed by UAE born and brought up music director, Sachin along with the Chennai based Sreejith while its lyrics are penned by Rupesh Paul and Pratyush Prakash. Apart from ‘Kamasutra 3D’, no other movie from India is contending in the music category list. Now let us go back to the analogy that kick-started this cover story on ‘Kamasutra 3D’. Be the movie perceived as war epic, music or classic erotica, ‘Kamasutra 3D’ will surely be a feast to the cine lovers. And the filmmaker is confident that the ingredients of this wonderful film will not interfere with each other, and what he promises to the movie buffs is a true delight to all sensibilities.


11

Filmosphere

This section features some of the outstanding personalities who marked their own footsteps in world cinema. In their own way each of them are icons of success.

The Legends of World Cinema 12


The Legends of World Cinema

Sir Anthony Hopkins

H

ave you ever wondered how you want your life to be? Well I have, a lot many times! We all truly wish if our lives were easy and lousy, but unfortunately with every passing second it becomes difficult, unexpected and unusual. We all have dreams, no second thoughts about it, but we often think too much. We tend to be worried about what people think or say about us. We yearn for empathy so badly that we fail to make distinction between understanding and empathy. We fail to realize that we have power to make our lives our own. This edition of All Lights gives its tribute to a typical but unusual man, who has always lived his life as a dream, a manifestation of what he really wanted to be right from his childhood. Arguably best known as the blue eyed, cold hearted cannibalistic serial killer, Hannibal, this legend does not really fit the stereotype of an actor accidentally falling upon Hollywood Glory, he is considered to be one of the finest and greatest living actors in the History of Cinema. Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, CBE, a Welsh actor of film, stage, and television, and a composer who was born in Margam, Port Talbot, Wales, on 31 December 1937. Son of Muriel Anne (née Yeats) and Richard Arthur Hopkins, a baker, Sir Hopkins often spent time alone due to his dyslexia. He preferred to paint and play the piano rather than making friends at school. He claims that he was antisocial and didn't bother with other kids; he was a real bad student...rather a complete 'Idiot'. But things changed in 1949, when to instill discipline, his parents insisted he attend Jones' West Monmouth Boys' School in Pontypool, Wales. He remained there for five terms and was then educated at Cowbridge Grammar School in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. He was influenced and encouraged to become an actor by Welsh compatriot Richard Burton (who was also born in Port Talbot) whom he met briefly at the age of 15. Despite he claims to be a complete nothing, Sir Hopkins enrolled at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, Wales, on a piano scholarship. He graduated from the college in 1957. After two years in the British Army doing his national service, he moved to London where he trained at the Royal Academy of

The Hollywood's Badass

Anthony Hopkins

Dramatic Art. Sir Hopkins made his first professional stage appearance in the Palace Theatre, Swansea, in 1960 with Swansea Little Theatre's production of Have a Cigarette. In 1965, after several years in repertory, he was spotted by Sir Laurence Olivier, who invited him to join the Royal National Theatre. He became Olivier's understudy, and filled in when Olivier was struck with appendicitis during a production of August Strindberg's The Dance of Death. Despite his success at the National, Sir Hopkins tired of repeating the same roles nightly and yearned to be in films. He made his small-screen debut in a 1967 BBC broadcast of A Flea in Her Ear. In 1968, he got his break in ‘The Lion in Winter’ playing Richard I, along with Peter O'Toole, Katharine Hepburn, and future James Bond star Timothy Dalton, who played Philip II of France. Although Sir Hopkins continued in theatre (most notably at the National Theatre as Lambert Le Roux in Pravda by David Hare and Howard Brenton and as Antony in Antony and Cleopatra opposite Judi Dench as well as in the Broadway production of Peter Shaffer's Equus, directed by John Dexter) he ALL LIGHTS, FEBRUARY 2014

13

Filmosphere gradually moved away from it to become more established as a television and film actor. He starred as Charles Dickens in the 1970's ‘The Great Inimitable Mr. Dickens’, the series ‘Danton’, in an episode of 'The Ten Commandments' and the 1972 mini series ‘War and Peace’, for which he won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor. In 1976, Sir Hopkins picked up an Emmy for 'Outstanding Lead Actor' for his principal role of accused and convicted killer, Bruno Hauptmann in the TV film ‘The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case’. This was a factbased story of the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr., son and namesake of the famed pilot, and ensuing trial. As Lloyd George in ‘Young Winston’ (1972), Sir Hopkins initiated a five picture association with director Richard Attenborough which would saw him segue ‘Shadowlands’ from Lieutenant Colonel John Frost in ‘A Bridge Too Far’ (1977) to the volatile, obsessed ventriloquist in ‘Magic’ (1978) to the quiet, scholarly C S Lewis in ‘Shadowlands’ (1993). On TV, he played Othello in the '81 adaptation of the same name. In 1982, he won another Emmy for ‘Outstanding Lead Actor’ in the TV film ‘The Bunker’; the same year he played Quasimodo in ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’. Following his respectable notoriety, he was, in 1987, awarded with the Commander of the order of the British Empire, giving him the letters CBE after his name. That year saw the release of '84 Charing Cross Road' where his character who sells books enters into a very special correspondence with New York dwelling character portrayed from Anne Bancroft's BAFTA winning performance. Hopkins' indelible portrayal of Hannibal Lecter, the brilliant, cultivated serial killer at the center of Jonathan Demme's ‘The Silence of the Lambs,’ (1991) paved the way for a succession of meaty and challenging roles. Silence of The Lambs turned Sir Hopkins into the most sought after English actors. For 16 minutes of onscreen time, Sir Hopkins

14


earned an Oscar and a BAFTA for ‘Best Actor’. In 1992, he starred alongside Emma Thompson and Vanessa Redgrave in Merchant/Ivory's thrice Oscar winning ‘Howard’s End’, based on the novel by E.M Forster. Hopkins played Henry Wilcox - the film went on to win three Oscars, two BAFTAs and a further 19 other awards. Despite being nominated, Hopkins failed to win any awards, although Emma Thompson won an Oscar and a BAFTA for ‘Best Actress Award’. In 1992 again, Sir Hopkins played Professor Abraham Van Helsing in Frances Ford Coppola’s ‘Dracula’, based on Bram Stoker's novel of the same title. He starred alongside Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves and Richard E Grant. Although Dracula was based in London, it was filmed entirely in California. In the same year, Hopkins starred in 'Chaplin' along side Robert Downey Jr. He played the only fictional character, George Hayden, in the film based on the real life of Charlie Chaplin. Directed by Richard Attenborough, the film was awarded three Oscar nominations and won a BAFTA. Success followed once more in 1993 when Hopkins teamed up with Emma Thompson yet again in ‘Remains of the Day’, a post WWI love story. He was nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars, Golden Globes and BAFTAs. That year, Anthony Hopkins CBE came to be known as ‘Sir’ and was once again recognised in The Queen’s New Year’s Honours' List and Knighted. Sir Hopkins is known to have immersed himself in countless hours of film and videotape to prepare for his title role in Oliver Stone's ‘Nixon’ (1995). The real Nixon died at the time the film was being made in 1994; the funeral scene, at the end of the film, was later added. The film was released in 1995 and nominated for four Oscars. Sir Hopkins felt that there are more challenges ahead of him than just act, thus to fulfill the very purpose of

In ‘Nixon’

life, he took on the role of director with the 1996 film, ‘August’, an adaptation of Chekhov’s ‘Uncle Vanya’, in which he also starred in. The film's location was in his native land of Wales. His love of music led him to compose the film's musical score. His directing skills were noted as the film went onto win ‘Best English Drama Award’ at The BAFTA Awards in Wales. For his next film, Hopkins portrayed troubled artist Pablo Picasso in an unforgettable performance in ‘Surviving Picasso’ (1996). Based on the passionate story of the relationship of Picasso’s one and only lover Francois Gilot, Sir Hopkins prepared for his role, getting into character by eating the same menu as the real life Picasso. During the remainder of the Nineties, Hopkins delivered strong and memorable performances in a number of big films: in 1997 was 19th century court room drama ‘Amistad’. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film scooped four Oscar nominations. Through his career, he conquered dyslexia by memorising his scripts - reading them through as much 250 times. During filming Spielberg was so blown away by Hopkins knowing verbatim a seven page dialogue, that he insisted that every one referred to him as ‘Sir Anthony’. After that followed roles in ‘The Mask Of Zorro’ (1998), with Catherine Zeta Jones and Antonio Banderas; ‘Meet Joe Black’ (1998) alongside Brad Pitt; ‘Instinct’ (1999) with Cuba Gooding Jr. and ‘Titus’ (1999). In 2000, Sir Hopkins returned to his role as nonblinking, salivating, Dr Hannibal Lecter in the sequel to The Silence of The Lambs: 'Hannibal'. After filming 'Hearts in Atlantis' (2001), based on the novel by Stephen King, Hopkins resurrected Dr Hannibal Lecter for a third outing in 2002's 'Red Dragon'. Lecter's story preludes his previous two films as it's set before his imprisonment. In 2003, Sir Hopkins

Here are some of the little known facts about Sir Antony Hopkins: — He released a single called ‘Distant Star’, which peaked at No. 75 in the UK Singles Chart. — In 2007, he announced he would retire temporarily from the screen to tour around the world. Hopkins has also written music for the concert hall, in collaboration with Stephen Barton as orchestrator. These compositions include ‘The Masque of Time’, given its world premiere with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in October 2008, and Schizoid Salsa. — In 1990, Hopkins directed ‘Dylan Thomas: Return Journey’ which was his directing debut for the screen. — In 1997, Hopkins narrated BBC natural documentary series, Killing for a Living, which showed predatory behaviour in nature. He narrated episode 1 through 3 before being replaced by John Shrapnel. — In January 2012, Hopkins released an album of classical music, entitled Composer, performed by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra released by Decca. — Ranked #57 in Empire (UK) magazine's ‘The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time’ list. — Awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1987. — Received an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from the University of Wales in 1988 — Was selected by an Entertainment Weekly on-line movie poll as the Best Modern Actor and the Best Villain for his role as ‘Hannibal Lecter’ in 1999 — For his stage performance in ‘Pravda’, he was awarded the 1985 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre Award) for Best Actor, and the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1986 (1985 season) for Outstanding Achievement.

The Wolf Man

— Ranked #12 on Tropopkin’s Top 25 Most Intriguing People [Issue #100] ALL LIGHTS, FEBRUARY 2014

15

Filmosphere starred alongside Nicole Kidman in 'The Human Stain' where he played a Professor with a dark past who had an As Hannibal Lecter in ‘Silence of the Lambs’ affair with Kidman's young character. Though his scenes with Kidman proved controversial, critics highly applauded his performace. In the same year, he was also honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. In the year 2004, Sir Hopkins teamed up once again with director Oliver Stone in the film 'Alexander' where he played the character Old Ptolemy. The movie was about the Macedonian King who was one of the greatest military leaders in the history of warfare. In 2005, Hopkins impressed movie goers with his performance as a mentally disturbed mathematician in 'Proof', with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jake Gyllenhaal. The film, directed by John Madden, was a story partly based on the life of John Nash, a professor who won the Nobel Prize for his work in game theory. Later in 2005, Sir Hopkins took to the road in the film 'The World's Fastest Indian', a biographical story of New Zealander Burt Munro whose motorcycle riding helped set the land speed record in Utah 1967. Sir Hopkins in 2006 became a part of a huge ensemble cast of 'Bobby', a film which centres around 22 people who were at the Ambassador Hotel the day that U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy was shot in 1968. The political drama won an award at The Hollywood Film Festival for 'Best Ensemble Cast' which included talent such as Helen Hunt, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, Martin Sheen, and Emilio Estevez, who also wrote and directed the film; Hopkins was executive producer. Later in 2006, Sir Hopkins played Judge Irwin in another political drama, 'All the King's Men', alongside Sean Penn and fellow English actors, Kate Winslet and Jude Law. The movie was based on the Novel by Robert Penn Warren, set in the Fifties, it tells the story of elected in the movie ' Fracture’ governor Willie Stark. For his outstanding contribution to Hollywood, Sir Hopkins was honored by

16


Hollywood Foreign Press at the 2006 Golden Globe Awards with the Cecile B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement. The acclaimed actor in 2007, gave a pleasingly sadistic performance in ‘Fracture’, playing the confessed murderer of his much younger wife (Embeth Davidtz) who was having an affair with a police hostage negotiator (Billy Burke). From there, he appeared as King Hrothgar to Ray Winstone's titular ‘Beowulf’ (2007), before writing, directing and starring in the mind-bending fantasy ‘Slipstream’ (2007), which premiered at that year's Sundance Film Festival. He went on to play Benicio del Toro's estranged father in the classic take on the werewolf movie, ‘The Wolfman’ (2010), and was the father of Chris Hemsworth's Nordic superhero, ‘Thor’ (2011). Hopkins was in the limelight once again when he was cast to play the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, in the highly anticipated behind-the-scenes drama, ‘Hitchcock’ (2012), which focused on the director's struggle to make ‘Psycho’ (1960) while focusing on his complex relationship with wife Alma Reville (Helen Mirren). His recent projects included RED 2 (2013) and Thor: The Dark World (2013), where he reprised the role of Odin again. His forthcoming projects include Solace (2014), Noah (2014), Kidnapping Freddy Heineken (2014) and Gotti: In the Shadow of my Father (2015). Sir Hopkins has been married three times. His first two wives were Petronella Barker (1966-1972) and Jennifer Lynton (1973-2002). He is now married to Colombian-born Stella Arroyave. He has a daughter from his first marriage, Abigail Hopkins (b. 20 August 1968), who is an actress and singer. Sir Hopkins also actively partticipates in various charities and appeals. He is the President of the National Trust's Snowdonia Appeal, raising funds for the preservation of the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. From actor to director, to piano virtuoso, composer and producer, Sir Anthony Hopkins has done it all. He is one actor who can transform himself into any character effortlessly. For him, Acting is Fun! He loves being creative, as it keeps him Young. Even at an age of 75, he can be recknoned as the quirkest and down to earth actors in the industry who have come in terms with their lives associated with the blinding fame. For him he is a jobber actor, where, how and which way it goes doesnot matter. For him, life is all about breaking the rules and mess around, its all about making difference in the world till you are here, till you cannot do it anymore!


Roman Polanski

A

craftsman turns to be an artist of unique talent when he develops a better understanding of what makes everything around him so different, and also what makes those the same; an understanding that avoids stereotypes and acknowledges both the unity and diversity in nature.

The Orchestrator of small spaces

To conjure up an entire world and society into the limited spaces of day to day life and present it through the most manipulative medium ever known, Cinema needs a profound artistic talent. There are only a few contemporary film makers who could be listed in this category of gifted artists; Roman Polanski is one among them. Polanski was a part Jew born in 1933 to 'Polish' parents. His parents were taken to the concentration camps of Nazi rule where his mother was murdered. Polanski survived these catastrophes by pretending to be a Roman Catholic but his life was severely mistreated. As the war progressed Poland became increasingly war torn and Polanski had to live his life as a tramp, hiding in barns and forests, eating whatever he could steal or find. During those times local people usually ignored cinemas where German films were shown, but Polanski seemed little concerned by the propaganda and often went to these movies. At the war's end in 1945, he was reunited with his father who sent him to technical school, but young Polanski seemed to have already chosen another career; and there began an exceptional journey of the academy award winning film maker Polanski. In the 1950s, he took up acting, appearing in 'Andrzej Wajda's A Generation' (1955) before studying at the Lodz Film School. His early shorts such as 'Two Men and a Wardrobe' (1958), 'The Fat and the Lean' (1961), and 'Mammals' (1962) showed his taste for black humor and interest in bizarre human relationships. His feature debut as director, 'Knife in the Water' (1962), was the first Polish post-war film not associated with the war theme. If observed closely one may find hues of Polanski's childhood disasters and personal experiences in his movies to a grave extend. The director and his films share an undeniable correlation on and off screen.

Roman Polanski

Violence, travel and voyeurism are some of the recurring theme in his films. The reason for this seems to root back to the holocaust background of Polanski's childhood. Roman Polanski is an artist who composes himself in between reality and imagination to imprint his own identity and existence in reel. His recurring themes of violence and victimization, isolation and alienation, and a profound sense of the absurd, infused a body of work that remains unmatched by many a director before and since. Ambiguity and paradoxes makes Polanski's films more suggestive and seductive. His films always invite competing readings rather than providing the viewer with direct answers. Accepting the traditional techniques and at the same time embracing the unknown is the film making style of Polanski. Polanski is a master orchestrator of limited spaces and it is evident from his very first feature film 'Knife ALL LIGHTS, FEBRUARY 2014

17

Filmosphere

Carnage - Jodie-foster, Roman Polanski

in the Water' itself. It seems that Polanski's style of composing limited spaces works out in two different dimensions. Composing the obvious physical space in the mise en scene is one style which he effectively made use in some of his films like 'Knife in the water', 'Tess' and 'Carnage'. The second style is that he works out his story and script in such a way that each and every characters of the story is confined to their own emotional and intellectual world, to their own limited spaces of self contemplation and isolation. Polanski developed the 'craftsman' in him to an 'artist' by combining and mastering these two styles. 'Knife in the Water' features three characters in a story of rivalry and sexual tension. It deals with the intense circumstances of human life. The thriller involves a married couple who take a young drifter with them on their yacht for a brief retreat. Secluded on a boat in Poland's Masurian Lake District, with conditions ranging from aggressive storms to dead calm, there is nowhere to escape, and changes in weather signal changes in mood. The characters are

06 18


Rosemary's Baby

entirely isolated; not even random extras appear in the background. His personality inhabits every aspect, from investigations of claustrophobia and divergent personalities, to clever framing on a cramped boat set. And through his artistry and skill, Polanski overcomes an impossible shooting location and the outward minimalism of the story to construct a tale defined by the profound relationship between its suffocating backdrop and psychological potency. Three individuals surrounded by the water of ambiguity and sexual tensions…to treat this discrete predicament theme in a justifiable way is certainly an impressive job. Polanski plays with human relations where the mood shifts from playful to severe with merely a glance or carefully chosen line of dialogue. When dealing with spaces Polanski is simply an adorable genius who seems to have come to earth with a magic wand in hand to challenge impossibilities. The director established this style with his first film and then continued it throughout his entire career. He makes stories all the more

Tess

thrilling by limiting the number of characters and enclosing them in a confined space. This is evident in his pictures ranging from his first film 'Knife in the Water' to his most recent, 'Carnage'. Even his films that do not seem to fit this scheme of limitations have similar components. In the film 'Frantic', Polanski detained the hero Harrison Ford's American tourist character in Paris, isolating him by his displacement in a foreign country. In 'The Ghost Writer' also the central character - the ghost writer - is isolated and limited in and around uncertainty and confusions. Polanski's most beautiful composition 'Tess' is also not an exception for this. The whole story is structured and set in the backdrop of a small village in England and to a very limited number of characters. A perfect fitting example for Polanski's peculiar skill of composing emotional space is 'The Pianist': definitely his master piece. The catastrophic political and social impact of Nazi invasion in Poland and its brutal and reckless influence and insomnia in the life of Jews in Poland, crime, violence, and hopelessness- everything is tactfully identified, confined and portrayed through the life of an ordinary pianist. That is the whole essence of the characteristics of a particular society in a particular time period in history is cramped in between the magnificent fingers of a pianist. This magical touch of Polanski is explicitly experimented in the treatment of his last film 'Carnage' also. It tells the story of a cordial meeting in which two pairs of parents hold in an apartment after their sons is involved in a fight, though as their time together progresses; increasingly childish behavior throws the day into chaos. The entire affair of the day is taking place inside the four walls of the apartment and throughout the movie the spectator is seeing only four faces. Yet the film could defeat the impatience of every

Roman Polanski

common viewer through its mesmerizing appeal. Polanski reconstructed the diverse demeanor of a society by composing the whole dimensions of human reactions and emotions in a confined space of a middle class apartment. 'Chinatown', 'Rosemary's baby', 'Macbeth', 'What?', 'The ninth gate' all these films of Polanski are not exceptions to this peculiar style of Polanski's film making. As a film maker Roman Polanski's magnitude and range is very soaring. The surrealistic style in visual treatment, the impressionist style of reflecting the possibilities of a subject in his impression, the deliberate attempt to bring out the innate characteristics of human life and emotions: all these are unique qualities of Polanski's film making style. Roman Polanski is a phenomenal persona. The silence, the violence, the tolerance, the loneliness, the melancholy, the ambiguity, everything in and around life he confined to a minimal structure - of an emotional atom bomb- to get the most severe blast in human minds. There are things known and unknown, the in between door is the perception. Polanski positions himself in this door and there he turns to be a phenomenal persona with a perception that goes beyond the limits of limited spaces.

Knife in the Water


19

Filmosphere

Friends of the Past. Visionaries of the Future.


Sohan Roy & Dr. George John

Dr. George John

B

ack in the seventies, somewhere in the southernmost state of India, two 12-year-old boys were sitting under a tree in their school yard. They were discussing on school, teachers and everything else they came up with to talk about. One of them shot a question at the other: "what do you want to become in the future?". The reply came in a jiffy "a doctor...who can change the lives of many". The child who gave the answer took his turn to ask the question back to his friend. This time it took some moments to get a reply. After a brief pause, the boy said "I want to become someone who can do so many

20


Sohan Roy

things in life. Like a superhero". The answer seemed satisfactory to the other kid. At that age, being a superhero or becoming one is perceived as an easily achievable task by almost all the kids. The boy who wanted to 'change the lives' was deeply interested in sports right from his childhood days. He actively participated in various sports events and won prizes many times. Later, he chose the medical profession and became a doctor. He finished his MBBS and MS (Orthopaedics) with flying colours and successfully completed his advanced training in Sports Medicine at Nottingham, England. During his

tenure in India, he was awarded the Best Outgoing Orthopaedic Surgeon by Manipal University and in the year 2000, he received the prestigious Nottingham Fellowship Award. Our 'superhero' had some other ideas. His passion and inclination was towards artistic activities like scripts for drama, direction, literature, movies and music. Whenever he got an opportunity to organize an event at the school or college, he happily took on the challenge and success was meant to happen every time. Later on, he understood that his passion may not earn him a decent living. So, he chose a technical profession, in contrast to his passion. But he proved, within a decade or so, that it is possible to efficiently associate one's passion to his profession, no matter what. Years later, Nick Peters- a British expatriate in the UAE, had been training for a year to take part in a gruelling 250 km ultra marathon in the Moroccan desert. His intention was to participate in the Marathon de Sables to raise money for Kids Company; a charity organization for abused and disadvantaged children, in memory of his close friend. Unfortunately, he tore his knee cartilage just a month before the race. And when it seemed impossible for him to participate in the race, a renowned sports medicine surgeon based in Dubai came to the rescue. He helped Nick to brave the injury to raise cash for

charity in the marathon. The runner then said that he was running with the knowledge that he can change a life and thanked the doctor for helping him to do so. Not far away, a ship designer cum serial entrepreneur cum artist was constantly endeavouring to change lives from a different perspective. For him, service begins at home. Be it to conduct charity works for the poor and the underprivileged, or to bring the talented youth of the country into the limelight, or even to change the scenario of the Indian film industry, every venture that he explored was destined to change lives. Awards and accomplishments keep on rolling, but he was keen to retain his humility. What made him happy was that the dream of doing so many things in life became a reality now. When the real life story of two childhood friends is most deserving of a movie, it is no surprise that they met again and partnered to make an Oscar bidding movie. Both, champions in their respective disciplines, have come a long way to where they are today. Dr. George John and Sohan Roy - two childhood friends and remarkable creative partners. Earlier, one of the boys was keen on sports, and the other was interested in arts especially dramas and other stage shows. One chose Medicine as his career and the other, Naval Architecture. They never thought that one day they will join hands for a sensational


21

Filmosphere

project, that too drawing significant Oscar attention. Dr. George John is a globally-renowned practitioner of sports medicine who has perfected his professional expertise over 15 years of clinical experience in India, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Portugal, Yemen and the UAE. He is the founder and chairman of GJ Sports FZ LLC, a high end sports medical centre located in the Dubai Health Care City. He also holds the responsibility of Managing Partner-Director at International Modern Hospital, Dubai. Dr. George John is a true healthcare visionary, who stays abreast with the latest developments in Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in his mission to help people live, work and play healthy. He has been associated with world famous sports celebrities like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Serena Williams, Andy Murray and Djokovic. He worked as a football doctor with the current English Premier League champions Manchester United. He was a consultant and a tournament doctor for many ATP/WTA events and the FIFA World Cup 2010. During the 2009 Dubai Rugby World Cup, Wales captain was injured, and within three days after surgery led by Dr. John, he was back on the pitch to play for Wales and helped the country to win their first ever World Cup. Dr. George John is all set to build the world's biggest sports medicine center in Kenya. Also, his company GJ Sports FZ LLC will be launching a cricket/football/rugby league in Africa. This dream

22


project of Dr. George John will cost around US$100 million and is aimed to promote sports in the continent. On the other hand, Sohan Roy- the child who dreamt of doing so many things in life, began his career as a Marine Engineer in Merchant Navy. He was the first Naval Architect in India to join the Merchant Navy. It was an accident that persuaded Sohan Roy to leave Merchant Navy and join as a Marine Surveyor. After a miraculous escape from the fire erupted on board of M.T Zakir Hussain, he went to UAE and worked as a Marine

Surveyor serving several major companies worldwide. Six years later he initiated Aries Marine, the flagship company of Aries Group and the largest Ship Design and Consultancy firm in the Middle East. Now, Aries Group of Companies is a consortium of 28 companies engaged in marine engineering and other activities all over the world. The group operates in 11 countries namely; India, Singapore, China, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, United States of America and the UAE. Sohan Roy has extensive experience in executing Naval Architectural Engineering & Design projects across the globe. He is known for creative designs like BOTEL,

Topless Ships, and for the longest snake boat design he got a Guinness Book Entry in 2008. He holds a Diploma in Film Direction from Hollywood Film Institute and has a global reputation as Director, Creative Head & Project Designer of award winning films & documentaries. His first film project, DAM 999 was a bold step of making movies that portrayed mariners. The movie is a story of nine characters and their emotions. The lives of all the nine characters revolve around the central edifice, the pressure mounted dam. He received worldwide recognition for this work, and it justified his passion for films, that not just limit to Kerala or Bollywood, but also to Hollywood; the world's entertainment capital. Warner Bros. distributed DAM 999 was the first movie from India to get qualified for Oscar in the main stream with 5 shortlisting; a truly proud moment for the largest film making country in the world. His three projects (DAM 999, Saint Dracula 3D and Kamasutra 3D) have bagged several Oscar shortlists for three consecutive years. Sohan Roy now serves as the president of the International Maritime Club (IMC) - the largest maritime organization in the world, and he is the founder of Marine BizTV- the first global maritime TV channel and MEDIBIZ TV- the first ever global health care channel. Marine BizTV is a 24-hour free to air global maritime channel that redefines the maritime world while MediBiz TV, launched recently, deals


23

Filmosphere exclusively with health and medical related subjects. Sohan Roy's creative partner Dr. George John heads the World Medical Council, a non-profit community designed for the continuous and conscious development of the medical industry. He also runs a charity organization to help the underprivileged. Recently Dr. George John has set up GJ Entertainment to explore his second passion and that paved the path for him to cherish the friendship with Sohan Roy and also to go hand in hand to make a truly wonderful movie called Kamasutra 3D. Dr. George John is the executive producer of the movie and the film comes under the banner of his newly formed company GJ Entertainment while Sohan Roy is the project designer and co-producer of the movie. Both of them hope that the film will garner the attention of both movie enthusiasts and connoisseurs across the world. Kamasutra 3D is based on the journey of a princess in search of her lover. The film weaves the transformative changes in body, mind and soul by the forbidden world of sexual love and sensuality. The movie, directed by Rupesh Paul, is expected to hit the theatres on May 2014. Set in the backdrop of the ancient, Kamasutra 3D is the journey of soulful love embodied with betrayal and war. This movie is a

Sohan Roy bestowed with Indira Gandhi Sadbhavana Award 2013 for his outstanding contribution towards his industry and society as a whole

24


trilogy of the same name in different versions Kamasutra 3D, Kamasutra 4D, Kamasutra 5D. 4D and 5D will be released after the launch of Kamasutra 3D. Thanks to NRIPA (Non Resident Indian Producers Association), presided by Sohan Roy himself, now Kamasutra 3D is making waves globally. It had also earned a lot of success and fame at the 66th Cannes Film Festival and recorded the highest ever pre-sale figures of its international rights. Dr. George John, when speaking about the experiences that he encountered during the production of the movie, has high regards for his childhood friend and team. According to him, the effective production of the movie was made only possible by the support that Sohan Roy- the project designer, Rupesh Paul- the director and his crew extended to him. As per the sources, three more projects from the team are in the pipeline. The dream reunion of two international celebrities is showing positive signs so far. It was bound to happen when those visionaries who share a camaraderie for such a long time team up for a great cause. And the best part is yet to come. An Oscar nomination may just be a humble beginning!


To the Top of the World... On her Own...

Kathryn Bigelow

T

The above introduction to Kathryn's fame comes with meek and gradual beginnings, filled with struggles, competition and a lot of passion. Born in November 27, 1951, California, to Gertrude Kathryn and Ronald Elliot Bigelow, she got her Norwegian decent from her ALL LIGHTS, FEBRUARY 2014


urning each of her movies into a milestone in cinema history, Kathryn Bigelow has carved a niche for herself in world cinema. At the age of 36,she has donned the roles of director,screen writer,producer and actor. Movies that define the reality of harshness, action, adventure and heart pounding twists and sequences, is not quite a common combination for a female movie maker. But being the versatile film maker that she is, the audience was left in awe with the breath taking movie scenes, acting, direction and real time screenplays. With the success of her most recent venture, 'Zero dark thirty' she is quiet an obvious reason to be renowned as a new generational, tech savvy director, but interestingly her experience comes from old school Hollywood movie making. Teamed with Mark Boal for a real life extravagant screen play, portraying the sequence of events in the life of the character 'Maya', who plays the role of an CIA operative, spending several years behind imprisoned Al Qaeda members to compose a valid clue and proof to support an operation to kill its head, Osama Bin Laden (UBL). The movie had its share of controversies and criticism, but the critical acclaim and box-office collection measured up to the cult military action hit 'Black hawk down'. This movie was thoroughly generated from the firsthand accounts of the actual events that lead to the military operation which killed UBL. The movie bagged a lot of critic's awards and was nominated for the (Academy award for) best motion picture in 2012.

25

Filmosphere maternal side. She earned her bachelor's in arts from San Francisco Arts Institute, which majorly projected her interest in painting & arts and received her share of honors from Vito Acconci, Richard Serra and Lawrence Weiner, through a series of study programs. She also committed herself into real estate ventures before she entered the graduate film program at Columbia University, where she got her masters and specialized in the theory of criticism. While working with the Art and language as a teacher in 'California Institute of the Arts', Bigelow came up with her first short film in 1978, 'The Set-Up' which was later

Kathryn Bigelow with ‘OSCAR’

submitted as part of her MFA at Columbia. The movie, just like her studies in criticism, deeply explored the realms of violence. It was well received by the small set of fans she had in the university and outside, but never came out into the limelight. However the theme of this movie turned out to be a recurring factor of her fame in her upcoming movie ventures. Like in her first official feature direction and screenplay, teamed with Monty Montgomery in 'The Loveless';the whole movie circles around the chaos caused by a set of leather clad bikers, who were strung up in the town on their way to Daytona racing. The plot was typically

26


set in the 70's, even though it was a movie that rolled out on screen in 1982. The directorial style was quiet innovative as the whole sequence of the movie was projected as an imagery played behind a cult classic Jazz and a mix of classic swing rock music inspired from Elvis, that normally makes people levitate , no matter if its sex, violence or romance. Later in 1983, Kathryn Bigelow played a small part in a women's right revolution movie 'Born in Flames', as one of the interns working for the socialist newspaper, as an editor. After a short break, Kathryn Bigelow returned to the

On the sets of ‘Hurt Locker’

Hollywood show biz with 'Near Dark' in 1987. The movie was widely discussed among the critics for the mixed emotions it evoked in the audience, which instigated a niche vampire fans which were later high on rise. Though the movie avoided the well expected clichés of a vampire story, this turned out to be a flagship star cast for Bigelow, since she was successfully able to in cooperate, a mix of drama, violence, romance, gore and an extreme thrill feature to keep the audience in the loop. The slaughter scenes in the movie were on top of the table for discussion among the audience and the critics, since it streamed

almost real bloodsheds with limited resources to bring in a virtually realistic carnage. This movie is presumed to be impressive for its time and has set path to motivate a lot of vampire stories that were released as a big budgeted blockbuster feature in the near future. It's very true of any art form or anything of productive in nature to get refined by practice and consistent efforts. This was very much true when it came to movie making for Kathryn Bigelow. Soon after the recognition for her screenplay and directorial efforts in Near Dark, Kathryn started working on a neo

movie maker to an action, thrill packed entertainer in the Hollywood cinematic division, that in turn acknowledged her as one among the best. Kathryn once admitted that her inspiration for movies actually came from her father, who wanted to be a cartoonist and never achieved it. But this longing for an art form is what drove her to be one among the Hollywood fraternity of fascinating directors. Her next project was in 1991, where she engaged herself in the directorial part only. It was called 'Point Break' starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. Again a crime investigation plot, but only this time with an

On the sets of ‘Hurt Locker’ - Kathryn Bigelow and Barry Ackroyd

psychedelic crime thriller, which gave the antagonist an edge over the protagonist. The movie came out in 1989 and was called 'Blue Steel', starring Jamie lee Curtis playing the role of a rookie cop who gets entangled in a murder, co starring with Ron silver and Clancy Brown. Even though the movie didn't gross much in the box office, it was critically acclaimed for the action sequences and heart pounding suspense in each of its actions and fights. The movie was received with mixed response. Though the film was quiet predictable, it took Kathryn's efforts to a new level of movie making, which differentiated her from just a

undercover agent who tends to fall for the lifestyle of the alleged culprits. The chase sequences depicted in the movie was quiet breath taking and was well received and appreciated by the audience for a differential perspective in movie making. She was supported by her then husband, James Cameron. With his ideas and tips the movie became a treat for the audience. Cameron was known at that time in the industry for movies like Terminator and Aliens. Bigelow's chemistry with her ex-husband, James Cameron was so remarkable that her team work with him for the next project made her the first women to


27

Filmosphere

From the movie ‘the Hurt Locker’

receive the Saturn Award for the best director. The movie was called 'Strange Days' and was released in 1995. Even though it was a commercial failure for the budget allocated, movie earned its well deserved recognition and was nominated for multiple awards. Set in a crime-ridden environment of Los Angeles in 1999, the movie depicts the high end wired technology tripping of killer junkies from the memories recorded directly from a cerebral cortex and played back using a disk like instrument to enable the user to feel the sensations physically and emotionally. The concept was ahead of its time to be digested and the directional sequencing had its challenges in portraying a situation of illegal and criminal alliances between the LAPD and the perpetrators characterized in the screenplay, set in the near future. Bigelow was becoming far more exquisite with her style of direction. Her trademark mix of a bit of violence was being manipulated and maneuvered, for her own advantage in each of her movies. This was showcased with a little difference in her directorial venture for 2000, the movie adaptation of the bestselling novel by Anita Shreve 'The Weight of water'. The movie was cast with Catherine McCormack, Sean Penn, Elizabeth Hurley and Sarah Polley. The lustrous depiction of a longed illicit relation of the characters in the movie through the present events in the life of

28


Jean, a magazine photographer for murders, and her probe into the axe murder of two women in the shore of isles, that happened in March 5'th 1873. The movie clearly enlightens the audience with the coincidental events in two different periods that tends to strike a lustrous outcome between the characters as per the novel. It truly leaves the audience on an ambiguous note when the lead female meets the spirits form the past still thriving deep down the ocean. The whole objective of the movie is kind of contrived out of the director's efforts and it is very much evident in each screens. The movie was nominated in a few film festivals and earned its recognition. With a much more technologically advanced system and more resource to go in for a high budgeted movie venture, Bigelow took up the plot of a real life incident, that happened with the maiden voyage of Russia's first nuclear powered submarine K-19. The movie was called 'K-19: The Widowmaker'. The year was 1961 and the rising rage between the world super powers could always ignite a war especially with the intense nuclear tension between them. On account to this the K-19, now suffering from a reactor failure in the arctic circle facing a US navy ship could be a threat for unwanted conflict if the submarine bursts out and hits the American naval ship with a torpedo, that can cause a catastrophe not only on the sea, but

Zero Dark Thirty

on the land in terms of retaliations and a plausible nuclear holocaust worst than Chernobyl and Hiroshima. Considering this, the crew engages themselves in repairing the ship, exposed to a high intensity of radiation which causes the death of seven in the recent months and twenty in the later years. The movie was released in 2002 and directorial traits exposed in the movie were remarkably convincing for the audience about the sheer torments that the crew and the captain of K-19 had to go through mentally and physically to avoid a possible catastrophe. This was the beginning of bagging awards for Kathryn, as the movie grossed remarkably and helped her win the Academy award for best director. The movie was nominated for a lot of critic awards and won a lot of awards from British Academy of film and Television Arts (BAFTA) including the Best Director award. Dispensing the idea of a hero in a movie has always been a hidden agenda in all of Kathryn's work. This was projected again in her recent success venture released in 2009. She directed and produced 'The Hurt Locker', again an army plot movie, set in Iraq that circles around the story of characters who are engaged with the jobs of disarming bombs in the midst of highly fluid combat situations. The movie wasn't another cliché for Kathryn as she was becoming more equipped and potential in capturing movies of this genre. Her directorial efforts paved way for Golden globe nominations for Best Director, LA film critics Association award for Best Director and London film critics circle award for Best Director. Bigelow also won her share of Six Oscars, including Best Director, making her the first women to win this award, and Best Picture.

A still from the movie ‘Near Dark’

Now 61, Kathryn Bigelow is still on the verge of defining new limits for herself in the Hollywood boulevard. Talent is a mere sham if it's not focused and pointed in the right path. It would always make one loose the purpose of their service. This was well documented as a quote in one of her interviews. With more than two decades of experience in the Hollywood cinematic division, she has proved her talents not only in capturing nerve raking action packed movies, but also in a couple of music videos and TV series as well. She has always relied on the fact that the success that is set for once should be transparent for ourselves as a bench mark on the things we need to achieve more in future. This is perhaps the intensity Kathryn keeps in each of the project she embarks on and hopes to gives her audience a treat to their eyes and emotions.


29

From ‘Bicycle Thieves’

Get to know it

EUROPEAN CINEMA …about the magnificent changes fetch out by film makers like Almadovar, Tornatore, Emir Kustarica etc in European cinema after the decline of major film movements during the last years of past century…

L

egitimacy of cultural legacy acknowledged through reel is what European Cinema is. The evolutions, revolutions, contrasts, contradictions, confusions, conflicts, mysteries and myths; everything which contributes to shape the phenomenal history of European society and its culture is in mirror relation to its cinema. The phenomenal history of European cinema (the world cinema as well) begins when Lumier Brothers first exhibited the sequence featuring the arrival of a train to a station, in France. From that incredible point in history, European cinema has travelled a long distance leaving behind a lot of wonderful and diverse cinematic expressions.

neo realism…etc found their roots in it. All these film movements triggered the derivation of a highly 'auteuristic' film culture in European cinema. The aspirations, expectations and delimitations; everything which inhale human reasoning personified and manifested in it. Though there was an obvious domination of commercial films during the last two decades, European cinema never failed to draw Jean-Luc-Godard

Innovation and experimentation in themes have been an instinctive characteristic of European cinema. We can see that all the major movements in the history like expressionism, impressionism, poetic realism,


31

Get to know it

From the film ‘Underground’

boundaries between the work of the auteur-artists, representing the nation, high culture and realism, and the makers of popular cinema, representing commerce, mass-entertainment and consumption. European cinema had been under the influence of various film movements till 1980's put forward by film makers like Godard, Fellini, Bergman, Truffaut, Pasolini and Luis Bunuel. A lot of different themes and treatments were introduced and experimented. Ever remembered classics like '8.1/2'(Federico Fellini), 'The 400 blows' (Francois Truffaut), 'The phantom of liberty' (Luis Benuel), 'A man escaped' (Robert Bresson), 'Wild Strawberries', 'The seventh seal' (Ingmar Bergman)..etc , are a few of those movies which came during that period from those film makers. The next generation of film makers made films which were just extensions of what they left. The films of that period were unquestionably brilliant From the movie ‘The seventh Seal’

32


and intellectual. But the experiments in themes were limited to the exploration of different possibilities of man-women sexual relationships. Sex oriented analysis of human psyche and behavior was so obvious though the film making style and treatment were pretty impressive. The nagging shadow of World war and other socio-political dissonances had a troubling influence on European film makers; in fact Berlin wall was turned out to be a sentimental icon from a political icon. The portrayal of war affected Europe in films was really exceptional. The neorealistic films like 'Bicycle thieves' by Victorio Disica, 'Life is beautiful' by Roberto Benigni…etc portrayed the face of Europe brilliantly. But then it became a cliché. The next array of film makers blindly followed the formula of those films and produced numerous clichés. A visible change in this scenario occurred after 1980's. Major film movements declined during the first half of 1980's. The films of Pedro Almadovar, Emir Kusterica, Giuseppe Tornatore and Kieslowski…etc introduced a new change. Young film makers followed the trend and it resulted in breaking years old theme limitations. European cinema began to explore each and every possibility of human life and relationships. It no longer confined itself into the voyeuristic interest of man-women sexual desires. Every possible human relationship was subjected to closer analysis. Diverse and different stories were told

From the movie ‘Volver’

Guiseppe Tornatore's ‘Cinema Paradiso’

and European cinema firmly stamped its unique identity in world cinema. Pedro Almadover's works played a vital role in changing the face of European cinema. He openly dealt with homosexuality, sexual identity, and sexual violence through his films which were unexplored areas of human life in cinema then. Though his films discussed sexual themes he never confined its possibilities to mere man-women relationships and that too in to its physical aspects. 'All about my mother', 'Dark habits', 'Volver' all these films acknowledge Almadover's views and styles of film making. Another film maker who contributed to this unparalleled change in European cinema is Emir Kustarica. His film 'Underground', a political satire which took a fresh look at the ideological agendas, touching on politically and formally oppositional practices was capable of setting a new inclination in film making. Giuseppe Tornatore's approach to cinema was a little different. When Almadover, Kustarica and all started to execute a new path, Tornatore stuck on to the conventional style. But yet he succeeded to persuade a difference through a unique way of treating his themes. His cinematic pursuit reassessed the role that nostalgia, melodrama, and spectacle play in staging the history of a society. European cinema began to discuss whatever the films from other sides of the world hesitated to discuss. This change not just indicates a cultural change alone. It implies a change in social demeanor and

Federico Fellini

Pedro Almodovar

From the movie ‘All about my mother'

perspective. Art is the perfect tool to bring out sociopolitical changes. European cinema can claim the share of this credit as it composed itself to a tool for social reformation by presenting diverse and different views about various topics in and around life to the mainstream. It talked about human emotions, strange twists and turns of human life, it explored the infinite possibilities of unaccepted sides of human life. It became the voice for the voiceless; it became the protest for the suppressed; it rose to lead the leadless. The changes were sudden; yet European cinema accepted it. That willingness to embrace the changes enhanced the intellectual progress of European cinema. Post-Berlin Wall European cinema inventively rethought the identities, ideologies, image, and popular memory of the continent. Cinema today contributes to cultural identities that are more inclusive and processual, more multicultural and interactive. It helps in self-definition and self-differentiation. European cinema is in and on a process of rethinking and unthinking. European cinema can proudly pursue excellence and persuade to the world the hope that film makers like Almadover, Polanski, Kustarica…etc are all still making films and youngsters like Tom Tykwer, Gasper Noe, Florian Donnermarck, Nae Carafil…etc are supporting their efforts by making films out of fresh perceptions. New European Cinema offers a compelling response to the changing cultural shapes of Europe, charting political, aesthetic, and historical developments. Let's be open to embrace its revolutions.

From the movie ‘Life is beautiful’


33

Get to know it

Indian Movies Going Global Promoted by

F I L M

S E R V I C E S

101 Chodyangal (101 Questions)

Producer: Thomas Kottakkakam

Director: Sidhartha Siva- A poet turned cinematographer, script writer, actor and director. He got awards and prizes in Youth Festivals, Campus Film Festivals and TV Shows. 101 Chodhyangal is his directorial debut in feature film.

Storyline: Anil, a young man who is struggling for his livelihood meets Mukundan, a new teacher in the school who becomes instrumental in bringing a sea change in Anil's life. The teacher seeks the help of Anil to prepare a book of 101 questions and answers to sell in trains, bus stations etc. Anil's pursuit of questions transforms his life. He prepares 101 questions and for the last question, he needs an answer from Mukundan while being unbothered of the other answers. Though the school teacher manages to provide answers for the first 100 questions, he cannot uncover the answer for the last question. Leaving behind a hundred questions, he walks to a world which hides even more questions.

Music: M. K. Arjunan Cinematography: Toby Riches & Peter Mulhal Editing: Bibin Paul Samuel CAST: Indrajith Sukumaran, Lena Abhilash, Manikandan Pattambi, Minon , Nishanth Sagar, Rachana Narayankutty, Sudheesh Year of production: 2013 Language of the movie: Malayalam

Ozhimuri (A Document of Separation) Director: Madhupal. A notable actor and short story writer in Malayalam. He has acted in more than 90 films in Malayalam, Tamil, English and Hindi including several notable lead roles. His short stories have been translated to many other languages like English, Hindi, and Tamil. Madhupal has published six collections of short stories so far. Story & Script: Jeyamohan Camera: Azhagappan CAST: Lal, Asif Ali, Bhavana, Mallika, Shweta Menon Year of production: 2012 Language of the movie: Malayalam

Every year a few films from the India will make their way to the global stages such as Oscar and renowned film festivals across the world. This year too, some of the exceptional regional movies from the subcontinent are on the threshold of international recognition. All Lights editorial board has picked out 11 movies which received Regional, National, International Awards and many Festival Selections around the world.

Producer: P. N. Venugopal Storyline: The movie portrays lives that are caught in the complexities of that period of transition from the matrilineal to patriarchal. "Ozhimuri" means 'divorce record' usually written on small palm-leaf pieces, common during the hay days of matriliny, when women were free to divorce their husbands at will and choose men of their liking and preference. The narrative follows the story of Thanupillai, through his trials and tribulations, weaving stories from three generations under transition. This narrative of a man fighting for what he thinks is rightfully due to him, and his kind, unfolds the lives of several women, his own mother and wife and then his son's love.

For sales enquiries: [email protected] | Mob: +91 9539 000 509

34


Storyline: Set in late 1950s in Kuttinad, the granary of central Kerala, the film is set in an ambience of Serpentine Worship and Sociopolitical rebellions of the times. The protagonist Dasan was a practicing Pulluvan, who had an aura of ascribed divinity around him. He had two wives, Janaki and Chakara. Janaki's love with Dasan was platonic, but Chakara true to her name was possessive. Dasan, along the course of time, becomes passionate with Devaki Antharjanam, the wife of the village landlord. Be it wine, women or smoke, Dasan had no restrictions. His mastery over the profession was unparalleled. Due to the ascribed divinity around him, he was unquestioned. But not for too long, something happens which makes his life topsy turvy!

Story & Script: Dr K Ampady Music: Mohan Sithara, Somasekharan Lyrics: Devadas CAST: Lal, Iniya, Lena, Lekshmi Sharma Sukumari, KPAC Lalitha, Kalasala Babu Year of production:2013 Language of the movie: Malayalam

Amen

Producer: Fareed Khan Storyline: The plot revolves around the lives of few people around an ancient Syrian church in a Kuttanadan village called Kumarankari. Solomon, a failed bandsman, is in love with Shoshanna who is the daughter of a wealthy contractor. As the parish seriously discusses whether to retain the church's band, a young priest Fr. Vincent Vattoli takes charge under the mighty powerful vicar Fr. Ottaplackan. He is stylish and dares to defy, whether on the disownment of the church band or against the devious plots of the Vicar to avoid being transferred to other parishes or in support of the young couple's love. Together, with Fr. Vattoli, Solomon will eventually have to put his act together and fight for his own success as the village enters a pact that binds his love for Shoshanna to the fate of the church band

Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery - an Indian Filmmaker, who works in the Malayalam Film Industry. He has directed three acclaimed films, Nayakan, City of God and Amen. Lijo started his career by making short films. He was one of the finalists of the PIX Short Film Festival 2007. Story & script: P. S. Rafeeque Music: Prashant Pillai Cinematographer: Abinandhan Ramanujam CAST: Fahadh Faasil, Indrajith , Swati Reddy, Rachana Narayanankutty, Natasha Sahgal, Joy Mathew, Nandhu, Kalabhavan Mani Year of production: 2013 Language of the movie: Malayalam

Attakatha (The Final Rehearsal)

Story & script: Kannan Perumudiyoor; Harisree Films Music: Raveendran CAST: Vineeth, Meera Nandan Year of production: 2012 Language of the movie: Malayalam

INDIAN

CINEMA

Producer: Madhusudhanan Mavelikkara

Director: P. Suresh Unnithan- His first has won him the Best Newcomer Director award at the Kerala State Film Awards, a major regional film award in India. Suresh Unnithan has an experience of more than 30 years in film and television industry. He currently holds the position of Board Member, Kerala state film Development Corporation.

Director: Kannan Perumudiyoor - He is the producer of three notable Malayalam feature films including Attakatha.

YEARS OF

Going Global

Ayaal (The Man)

Indian Movies

I

Producer: Kannan Perumudiyoor Storyline: Melina, who hails from France, reached Koothambalam to know more about Kathakali and Kathakali Ashaan. She comes to know about the story of Unnikrishnan and Romi, who came from Europe to study Kathakali. Sethu Lekshmi, who was a student that time in Koothambalam fell in love with Unnikrishnan. Sethu went to tell her love to Unni, but she understood that Unni and Romi were in love. Romi became pregnant. Unnikrishnan's mother gets killed by his uncle who is a mental patient. Unni Killed his uncle. And Romi went back to her native place. Melina tells Sethulekshmi that she is Romi's daughter and that she wants to meet Unnikrishnan. Sethu shows the insane Unnikrishnan to Melina. Melina takes Unnikrishnan with her.

For sales enquiries: [email protected] | Mob: +91 9539 000 509 ALL LIGHTS, FEBRUARY 2014

35

Get to know it Celluloid Director: Kamal - A director well known among the Malayali community, has been making a significant, indelible contribution to Malayalam cine world. He made his entry into the Malayalam film world as a story writer as well as an assistant director who got his talents matured under the guidance of veteran directors. In his successful 25 years career, he directed more than 40 films. Story & Script: Kamal Camera: Venu Music: M. Jayachandran CAST: Prithviraj, Sreenivasan, Mamtha Mohandas, Chandni Year of production: 2012 Language of the movie: Malayalam

Chayiliam (Hues of Red) Director: Manoj Kana- A veteran Malayalam theatre artist who has been involved in the theatre circuit for over twenty years. He has directed fifteen stage plays and thirty street plays many of which have won state awards. With his rich and diverse experience as director, script writer and actor in theatre, he has finally ventured into the world of cinema. His maiden film 'Chayiliam' was realized with public support and fund raising, identifying the potentials of cinema to creatively involve in social discourses. Story & Script: Manoj Kana Music: Chandran Vayattummal Camera: K.G.Jayan CAST: M.R. Gopakumar, Anumol.K, Jijoy, Chempil Asokan, Elsi Sukumar, Jaya Unnikrishnan, Master Adithyan, P.T.Manoj, P.K.Sudheer, T.K. Meenakshiamma Year of production: 2012 Language of the movie: Malayalam

Langar Director: Sandeep Manohar Narware. A renowned film and theatre professional who has 10 years experience in Marathi Film Industry and Marathi Theatre. He has done 9 Marathi movies as a writer, director, and 2 Marathi plays and Marathi serials. Story & script: Sandeep Naware Camera: Surya Mishra CAST: Manava Naik, Namrata Gaikwad, Kishori Shahane, Pankaj Vishnu Year of production: 2012 Language of the movie: Marathi

Producer: Kamal & Ubaid Storyline: The film is a biopic based on the life story of J.C. Daniel, the father of Malayalam cinema, the making of his film Vigathakumaran and the story of Vigathakumaran's heroine P. K. Rosie. The film is particularly based on the novel Nashta Naayika by Vinu Abraham and Life of J. C. Daniel, a biography of J. C. Daniel written by Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan. The film follows the making of VIGATHAKUMARAN and how tragedy strikes the film upon its release, when cast fanatics bans the film from being shown in Capitol Cinema Hall in Travancore, the only such establishment in those parts at other time, and indeed from other cinema halls across Kerala. Celluloid offers a fascinating and heart warming inside into the mind and life of the tragic artist. In a day and age, when films are everything that is glamorous about our society, it's a worthwhile look back at the man who started it all.

Producer: Priyeshkumar.P.K, NeruCultural Society Storyline: A major ritual of North Malabar, Kerala, India, Theyyam is enjoyed with reverence by the people as Gods and Goddesses appear before them through this art form. In most cases, Goddesses are represented, but the performers are men. Against this tradition, only one Goddess is performed by women performers. This cinema, set against the background of Theyyam, is presenting the struggle of a woman to regain the boon of femininity. In the traditional society with its joint family system, first menstruation was taken as an event of celebration and recognition. But the contemporary society hides it as a matter of secrecy. 'Chayiliam' is an attempt to suggest how far menstruation is important for women through the character Gouri. It also takes into consideration the event of her premature menopause, which totally unset the rhythm of Gouri's life.

Producer: Kumari Niharik Sunil Phadtare Storyline: "Langar" a Marathi film that depicts the life of "Waghya Murli' community in Maharashtra. The story is based on the novel written by the well known social reformist Anil Awchat. It's a film that creates social awareness regarding the exploitation, sorrow and traditions that prevail in the Waghya Murli community in Maharashtra. This story is of "Malan" named girl belonging Murali Community who revolted against life-taking religious practices and for doing this all she had to face a very long fight. Not only this, she even had to face and accept danger to her life. She somehow came out of all situations and this was her personal communal fight i.e. Langar.

For sales enquiries: [email protected] | Mob: +91 9539 000 509

36


Director: Mr. Kayum Khaji. Music: Sachin Depesh Editor: Ghadindhar Kolath Cinematography: S Jahingir

CAST: Vibhavari Deshpande, Bahinabai Chaudhari, Kishore Kadam, Suhas Palshikar

Year of production: 2012 Language of the movie: Marathi

Cinematographer: Ramathulasi TFT Art Director: Rajeev Nayar CAST: Sidhique, Anjali Patil, Lakshmi Menon, Nina Kurup, Rathna Sekhar, Anoop Aravindan, Year of production: 2012 Language of the movie: Telugu

Storyline: The movie is about the life of Bahinabai Chaudhary, a world famous Marathi poetess whose timeless words have made a mark on the lives of Marathi people. Bahinabai had to face a tough time when she lost her husband very early in her married life and encountered difficulties in bringing up her children without any support. Unlike other women, she was not preferred to crib or cry for the discomfort and difficulties that troubled her. She has chosen the path to overcome the obstacles by utilizing her creativity at its best. She used words to soothe her emotions, and it gave her comfort and relaxation to such an extent that she had developed the confidence to face the reality with a smile. Bahinabai was illiterate, but possessed the vocabulary to generate notable works from the core of her real feelings.

Producer: M.S.Rajesh, Sunitha Krishnan

Storyline: Provocative, shocking and surprisingly tender amidst an explosion of unbridled emotions, "Naa Bangaaru Talli"explores the consequences of sex trafficking testing the vulnerability of trust in human relations. Srinivas is a wonderful and devoted father to Durga, and he provides her the best. Working in the city and maintaining his family in a small town works well for him for years. One day everything is shattered when Durga comes unannounced to the city to appear for an interview concerning her college admission. Durga's life is brutally torn apart as Srinivas wrestles with grief, remorse, self pity and guilt. The murky world of sex trafficking shakes the basic tenets of human existence "trust". Based on true stories, the film is a first of its kind projecting the human dimension of both the abused and the abuser.

Thira Director: Vineeth Sreenivasan: An Indian playback singer, film actor, director, and screenwriter. He is the son of actor and screenwriter Sreenivasan. Vineeth made his acting debut in Cycle (2008). His well known films include Makante Achan (2009) and Chappa Kurish (2011). In 2010, Vineeth made his directional debut with Malarvadi Arts Club. Screenplay & Story: Rakesh Mantodi Editing: Ranjan Abraham Cinematography: Jomon T. John CAST: Shobana, Dhyan Sreenivasan, Deepak Parambol, Gaurav Vasudev, Sijoy Varghese, Amritha Anil Year of production: 2013 Language of the movie: Malayalam

INDIAN

CINEMA

Producer: Adv. Vandana Jadheevd & Adv. Jadheev

Naa Bangaaru Talli (My Dearest Daughter) Director: Rajesh Touchriver. He is an Indian filmmaker, production designer and scriptwriter. He has won awards internationally for his feature films and for his documentaries and short films. Besides feature films and music albums/videos, he has essayed other genres including documentaries, short films, ad films, public service announcements and commercials and won many accolades.

YEARS OF

Going Global

Sopanchi Aai Bahinabhai

Indian Movies

I

Producer: Manoj Menon Story line: Thira' is a thoughtful exploration of a theme that is often discussed in hushed whispers. It's quite resolute in its objective, is extremely detailed, is involving for its most part and is charmingly acted as well. Thira is a dramatic thriller movie. Movie begins with the introduction of a cardiologist, Rohini Pranab (Shobhana), who apart from her job of a doctor also runs an organisation for women which acts against women trafficking and helps orphaned girls. Things get into trouble when some girls from the organisation get kidnapped. Rohini sets out on a mission to find those who are behind her husband's murder and who have trafficked the girls. On the same path, we are introduced to Naveen (Dhyan Sreenivasan), who is in search of his kidnapped sister. Naveen and Rohini meet by chance and come to know that they have the same goal.

For sales enquiries: [email protected] | Mob: +91 9539 000 509 ALL LIGHTS, FEBRUARY 2014

37

10

Get to know it

Most Anticipated Movies of 2014 Mark your calendars for these, film lovers! Dom Hemingway Director: Richard Shephard Starring: Jude Law, Richard E. Grant, Demian Bichir, Emilia Clarke, Kerry Condon Screenwriter: Richard Shephard Storyline: In this crime-comedy, Jude Law plays Dom Hemingway, who, after 12 years in prison, sets off with his partner in crime Dickie (Grant)

Interstellar Director: Christopher Nolan Starring: Matthew Montgomery, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, Bill Irwin, Matthew McConaughey Screenwriter: Kip. S Thorne, Jonathan Nolan Storyline: A sci-fi, space travel story about a group of explorers who travel through a worm hole and into another dimension. Based on real science, the film will explore the mind-bending territory of black holes and gravity waves and touch on some of the hypotheses that Albert Einstein chased but never could prove.

Country: USA Release: November 7 Distributors: Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures(Worldwide) Language: English

The Hobbit: There and Back Again

Director: Peter Jackson Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Andy Serkis, Benedict Cumberbatch Screenwriter: Fran Walsh, Phillipa Boyens Storyline: Shot in 3D, closing the trilogy, the finale sees Bilbo, Gandalf and the Dwarves in Smaug's lair, hoping to get out safely with their gold.

Release: December 17 Country: USA Distributors: Warner Bros Language: Hobbit-speak, Elvish, Tolkeininvented gibberish.

The Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Director: Matt Reeves Starring: Andy Serkis, Keri Russell, Jason Clarke, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Gary Oldman, Judy Greer Screenwriter: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Scott Z. Burns, Mark Bomback

Country: UK Release: April 4 Distributors: Fox Searchlight Pictures Language: English

Storyline: Second movie of the franchise, the growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species.

Director: Akiva Goldsman Starring: Russell Crowe, Jessica Brown Findlay, Will Smith, Colin Farrell, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly Screenwriter: Akiva Goldsman

Country: USA Release: July 18 Distributors: 20th Century Fox. Language: English

38


looking to collect what he's owed for keeping his mouth shut and protecting his boss Mr. Fontaine (Bechir). After a near-death experience, Dom tries to re-connect with his estranged daughter (Clarke), but is soon drawn back into the only world he knows, looking to settle the ultimate debt.

Winter's Tale

Storyline: An adaptation of 1993 novel of the same name, Winter's Tale follows the story of Peter Lake (Colin Farrell). Peter Lake is a thief who falls in love with Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay), a dying girl who occupies one of the houses he breaks into.

Country: USA Release: February 14 Distributors: Warner Bros Language: English

X Men : Days of Future Past Director: Bryan Singer Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Nicholas Hoult, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen Screenwriter: Simon Kinberg Storyline: The story is partially set in an alternate

The Amazing Spider Man 2 Director: Marc Webb Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Shailene Woodley, Jamie Foxx Screenwriter: James Vanderbilt Storyline: Peter Parker is living a double life as his high school graduation approaches- beatingthe bad guys and spending time with his love, Gwen Stacy. Things change when a new villain emerges, an old friend returns and he uncovers more clues about his past.

Country: USA Release: May 2 Distributors: Sony Pictures Language: English

Man) have disappeared. She meets a charming man made of marshmallows who can't quite think for himself, a tiny china doll princess whose bossiness is a cover for her fragility, and a tugboat with as many personalities as he has pieces. And a wicked new villain emerges, who believes that all of Oz should be under his control. How will Dorothy and her new companions work together in a seemingly disastrous time to restore Oz to the place we all know and love?

Country: USA Release: May 9 Distributors: Clarius Entertainment Language: English

Captain America: The Winter Soldier Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo Starring: Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan Screenwriter: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely Storyline: As we see in Marvel's The Avengers when it left off, Steve Rogers struggles toembrace his role in the modern world and teams up with Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, to battle a powerful yet shadowy enemy in present-day Washington, D.C.

future where surviving mutants have been penned in concentration camps, giant robots called Sentinels patrol America, and most of the X-Men have been hunted and killed. In the present day, the X-Men were forced to stop a key event from unfolding in order to keep that future from occurring.

Country: USA Release: April 4 Distributors: Marvel Studios Language: English

Country: USA Release: May 23 Distributors: 20th Century Fox Language: English

The Hunger Games : Mockingjay : Part 1 Director: Francis Lawrence Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson Screenwriter: Danny Strong

Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return

Storyline: The first part of the Hunger Games series finale sees Katniss Everdeen unwittingly becoming the symbol of a mass rebellion against the autocratic Capitol.

Director: Dan St. Pierre, Will Finn Starring: Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi, Martin Short, Kelsey Grammar Screenwriter: Adam Balsam, Randi Barnes, Barry Glasser

Country: USA Release: November 21 Distributors: Lionsgate Films Language: English

Storyline: The story begins when Dorothy returns to Kansas to find it devastated by the tornado that sent her to Oz. On her return to the magical land, she finds that her three friends (Scarecrow, Lion and Tin


39

Filmospere

The film about Mongolian Last Emperor BOGD KHAAN is in preproduction

L

ocated in the center of Asia, the Mongolia's last Emperor was born in Tibet. The Emperor with patriotic messes of Mongolia invincibly struggled for country's independence and finally acquired independence in 1911. Till 1990's victory of democracy and complete spiritual freedom, the historical man's honor and achievements were nearly erased from the mind of Mongolians. In 2011, the President of Mongolia decreed the celebration of 100 years of Mongolian Independence, by that time director Tsogtbayar Byambaa's ‘BOGD KHAAN’ film was displayed to the public and the introduction of the new Bogd Khan was historically and culturally significant happening. With the desire to reveal the historical entangled times truth, the director Tsogtbayar Byambaa is creating second chapter of the film BOGD KHAAN.

Working with the world today to create answers for tomorrow...

AUDIO STUDIO & DIGITAL THEATER SERVICES OFFERED OCEAN BLUE PREVIEW THEATER Offers world class film projection system along with studio-grade audio quality … I 12 Feet X 7 feet screen I 3d projector I 7.1 channel audio I 40 seating capacity I Any format playback

POST PRODUCTION SERVICES I Post-production works of film I Production of corporate videos I Advertisements & documentaries I Dubbing & pre-mixing studio I Sound engineering for video productions I Colour Correction with special effects I Video format conversions I DVD & Blu-ray

CAMERA UNIT

Film Promotions & Services

Video coverage of programs Live editing & web casting of programs

Film Promotions and Branding I Festival & OSCAR Consultants I Online Promotions I Legal Services I Sales Agents

FILM STUDIOS Cochin, India P: +91 484 4066666 F: +91 484 4055561 W: www.ariesgroup.ae

For bookings call: +91 9539000513 email: [email protected]

®

BIZTV NETWORK PRESENTS ’SAINT DRACULA 3D’ WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY RUPESH PAUL PROJECT DESIGNER SOHAN ROY PRODUCER ABHINI SOHAN CO-PRODUCER PRABHIRAJ CINEMATOGRAPHER FRANCOIS COPPEY STEREOGRAPHER JULIAN CRIVELI, JEEMON PULLELY LINE PRODUCER CHRIS MARTIN POST-PRODUCTION DIRECTOR JOHNSON IRINGOLE EDITOR AJAY DEVALOKA COLORIST BIJIN KRISHNA LOCATION MANAGER DAVID CHAMBERS MUSIC SREEVALSAN J. MENON LYRICS SHERINE CATHERINE PRODUCTION DESIGNER TOBY RICHES COSTUME DESIGNER NICHOLA PARLE MAKEUP ARTIST LUCY GOULDING SOUND RECORDISTS ALAN WATSON, MIKE MORAN SOUND DESIGN & MIXING VINOD P SIVARAM STILLS JOHN GUY DESIGNS ANTONY GEORGE email FOR SALES sms/call

: +919539000541 : [email protected]

G.J Entertainment

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY

Presents

RUPESH PAUL

D .GEORGE JOHN CO-PRODUCER/PROJECT DESIGNER SOHAN ROY PRODUCTION HOUSE RPPL EDITOR KISHORE TE, HARSHA DOP SAPAN NARULA STUNT DIRECTORS KECHA KHAMPHAKDEE, MICHAEL S RAJ CHOREOGRAPHY SAROJ KHAN, SHIVA SHANKAR, VIJAY PRAKASH COSTUME DESIGNER NEETA LULLA PRODUCTION CONTROLLER SAGAR THACKER

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER R

www.kamasutra3d.in : [email protected]

: +91 812 9081090