Guillermo Rocamora, Director of the film ‘Family Album’, which was screened under Cinema of the World category, shared his thoughts at an interaction with delegates and media at 54th IFFI today in Goa. Speaking about how his personal experiences inspired in crafting the film, the Uruguayan director said “It is about my family experience when my parents got divorced my 16 year old brother had the brilliant idea to invite my father to play drums in his band. This story has been with me for many years and it became the genesis of this project and now a film has been made on it.”

The film, which is in Spanish language, delves into the arduous process of becoming an adult, the complicated relationship between parents and children as both grow older, and the world of amateur rock bands. It centers on the father-son relationship.

With a blend of drama and humor, the film aims to resonate with the audience of all ages, inviting them to reflect on their own interpersonal relationships and connections within the framework of family. Expressing this Guillermo elaborated, “Manuel, the main character battles with the choice to be a musician or not, choices that many young people are confronted with. On the other hand, the father in the film is trying to get back to music and relive his younger days, something that many older persons also go through’. He further added that he is hopeful the film will be illuminating for both parents and children with ideas and tools to better understand each other in crucial moments of life.

On the influence of music in his life and also being a key factor in the film, the Director emphasized how, ‘music is portrayed as another character of the film’. He shared that great work was done to ensure the musicians picked up the right music notes and they were suitably placed in the script to add another layer to the film.

The film explores the complexities of family and promises to captivate audience with universal themes of love, resilience and the enduring bonds that define us, concluded the Director.

“Sanaa proves you don’t have to be a woman to tell a woman’s story. Empathy is not a female privilege’’ said actor Pooja Bhatt. She was speaking at a Press Conference held on the sidelines of the 54^th International Film Festival of India in Goa today. Her film Sanaa is among the 3 Indian films that will compete with 12 others for the prestigious Golden Peacock at the 54^th IFFI. Its story revolves around an ambitious woman grappling with internal battle that is rooted from unhealed trauma. Bhatt also expressed that it is essential to have a dialogue on important issues such as abortion. She thanked the Government of India for its efforts to ensure women’s safety, empowering them to take decisions that matter to them, and further added that the same should be celebrated.

Sanaa is directed by National Award winning Director, Sudhanshu Saria. Speaking at length about his idea and approach towards making the film, Saria said, “I wanted to go more into an amorphous zone and delve into the matters of jealousy, class and desire. Those things were far more potent. It was a mixture of 3 or 4 things going on, it was about people being selfish, inappropriate relationships at work, and not having a healthy understanding of self.” Speaking about his working style, Saria said that the cast and crew worked in sync. “The best job a director can do is to direct oneself while empowering others to work at their fullest potential”.

Other members of the cast who were present for the briefing included Radhika Madan and Nikhil Khurana who also shared their experience about working in the film. The lead actress Radhika Madan who played the role of Sanaa shared her experience in discerning the different layers of the character.  She expressed how the film portrays Sanaa as a grey character and how it is a relatable character for many.