Cinema is truly international as long as it connects with the audience at large: Director Robert Kolodny

“Screening our film at 54^th IFFI is incredibly meaningful to us, this film is the labour of love for many years of research and hard work”, expressed Robert Kolodny, the director of the film The Featherweight. The American film has its Asia premier at 54^th IFFI in Goa today as the closing film of the festival.

While interacting with the media at a press conference organized by PIB, filmmaker Robert Kolodny shared that the film is about the real life story of the Italian-American boxer Willie Pep who has a record of highest number fights in boxing. He had the record of 241 fights in his career. “From shooting the film in the late-boxer’s hometown, to using his real boxing gloves, this film is a dance between fact and fiction, reality and cinema”, elaborated the Director. He also informed that that the characters in this film are played by people who knew the late-boxer in real life.

Responding to a question on choosing the plot of boxing as his Directorial debut, Kolodny shared that the dynamic life history of Willie Pep, the intrigue of sports drama and the reality of human drama fascinated him to weave a story which is informative, entertaining and close to reality. “To interact through cinema on an international stage is very important for me”.

Producer Bennett Elliott while sharing her experience reminisced, “shooting in the late-boxer’s hometown and getting support from the local people was heartening. The presence of his spirit was with us all the time, we put a lot of dedication and blood and dreams into this project as an independent film.”

Actor James Madio expressed that to experience the life of Willie Pep and to be in his shoes was an unimaginable experience as an actor. “Stepping into a boxing ring and making this independent film has been a miracle. Those years and years of dedication and research in order to transform and be in the shoe of boxer Willie Pep was both mentally and physically challenging but liberating at the same time.”

“It is a result of years of research and it is an honor for us to close 54^th IFFI with our film,” concluded the writer Steve Loff.

Under PM Modi and I & B Minister Anurag Thakur Indian film industry becoming bigger with growing investment: Michael Douglas
Movies share same language and brings us closer together: Douglas
India dear to our heart and welcomed us with open arms: Actress Catherine Zeta Jones

India is investing more money into production of movies in the last few years under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, said the legendary Hollywood actor and film producer Michael Douglas in an interaction with media at IFFI 54, Goa today. Michael Douglas will be bestowed with the prestigious Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award at the closing ceremony of 54^th IFFI tomorrow.

The iconic actor further said that this is the best time for Indian cinema industry, and the representation of more than 78 foreign countries in IFFI 54 is the reflection of its strength. “Indian films are renowned all around the world and are travelling more and more to various corners of the world. Streaming platforms are playing an important part in this growth.”

Highlighting the role of movies in uniting the world, Douglas said that movies share same language and brings us closer together. “The audience from all around the world can understand what is going on in movies. Movies create this international connection. This is the magic, beauty and joy of this industry and that’s why I love this business very much,” he shared.

Sharing his joy on being awarded the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, the two time Academy award winner said that it is a tremendous honour to receive this prestigious award. In a recollection of his college days, he candidly shared that he had studied the works of Satyajit Ray like Pather Panchali and Charulata in his film course and getting an award named after him is special. “Ray’s pictures were so interesting and they portrayed reality. The greatness of Ray is that he was not only a director, but also a writer, film editor, musician, all at the same time,” he reminisced.

Praising Indian film RRR’s success in Oscars, Michael Douglas said that it is a spectacular achievement for India and it will boost confidence and encourage industry to craft many more such big films.