Panaji : 27th November 2018: Day 7 of 49^th International Film Festival of India marked the presence of directors, ICFT jury member, UNESCO representative and the local filmmakers who shared their views with the media.

 Indian filmmakers Lijo Jose Pellissery, Ram and Pratima Joshi interact with the media

Elaborating on the genesis of his movie, Ram said that the story is about a spastic child and the parenting issues associated with her. “The screening of Perambu at IFFI was a very thrilling experience. I find that the Indian audience is very mature and celebrates film as an art. Indian audience’s level of understanding films and film art is far ahead compared to European or Chinese audience”, he said.

Lijo Jose Pellissery said that cinema should not be categorised as regional and national or commercial and parallel. It should be categorised just as good cinema and bad cinema; that will be easier for film makers and audience, he added

An actor and a costume designer turned director Ms. Pratima Joshi said that she doesn’t believe in the often repeated statement that “women are the enemies of women”. ‘Aamhi Doghi’ touches upon the bonding between a young woman and her ‘not-so-old’ step mom.

World renowned cinematographer, Pierre Gill shares insights on cinematography  

 Pierre Gill, a Montreal native, is a cinematographer and assistant director, known for Upside Down (2012), Casanova (2015) and Polytechnique (2009). He is a member of Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC).

“My passion for cinema comes mostly from storytelling. Storytelling makes me dream. A good story or good script brings out the creativity in me”, said Pierre Gill who wishes to work with some Indian production houses one day.

 Speaking on his experience in Blade Runner 2049, he said “My unit in Blade Runner 2049 worked on stunts, explosion, flying ships and underwater sequences and I used green screen technique to a large extent. The whole experience was really fun, due to the big scale of the movie. Movies like Blade Runner 2049 give you the opportunity to try all the latest equipment.”

 “VFX of Blade Runner 2049 won the Oscar award and I worked with all teams working on VFX for that film, so in a way I too won that award; it feels nice to think you have a share, even if small, in winning the Oscar”  

 “You have to be very strong; it is going to be a very difficult life. The life of cinematographer is by the second. Also, you have to travel a lot. Don’t do it for the money; money will come if you do well. You have to be a very good psychologist as well, since you have to deal with a lot of departments and have to be always on toes to attend to their questions. You have to be very open-minded. You have to be humble, if you don’t know, you must be able to say that you don’t know”, advised Pierre.

 Is technique Over-riding Content? Discussion in the Open Forum

 Exchange of views on existing trends and importance of content ended with the mutual agreement on the importance of content. “Technology is a boon in today’s era. It has made a lot of things easier but at the end emotional quotient forms the crux of a film”, said A. K Bir, cinematographer, writer and director.

 “In order to get audience to watch the film technology becomes vital. However it’s the emotional connect that binds the audience and we cannot deny that”, added Klaus Heydemann

 National Award winners and FTII batchmates, Swapnil Vasant Kapure and Medhpranav Powar, interact with media

 Selected in the Indian Panorama section, movies Bhar Dupari and Happy Birthday both won the 65^th National Award. Interestingly Swapnil Vasant Kapure and Medhpranav Powar were batchmates in FTII and their movies were a part of the FTII diploma course.  “Winning the National Award and now being part of the Indian Panorama has placed a great responsibility on our shoulders now”, shared Swapnil whose film Bhar Dupari is an insightful portrayal of a woman finding courage to fight her demons”.

 Happy Birthday, directed by Medhpranav Powar is a meaningful exploration of a small boy’s changing attitude towards his father’s sacrifice and love. “It is the story of a child and his father. As children, we are unaware of the sacrifices our parents make, though we harbour certain expectations from them. The movie is an attempt to explore the idea of this dynamics in the relationship between a father and child. For me, cinema is about telling stories and portraying them effectively. If you have a good story, it can be easily presented in any medium. Finding a child actor for the role was a tough job. A lot of improvisation was done during the shooting.” He added that he likes to work on content which is entertaining as well as contemporary.

 Filmmaker Marcos Loayza presents his film Averno at IFFI 2018

 The director of ‘Averno’, Mr. Marcos Loayza was at IFFI today, to speak about his film. He explained that his movie is an adventurous, realistic and mythical story that talks about maturation and anthropology. It is about the struggles faced by the protagonist Tupah, a young shoe shiner who sets out on an impossible journey to save his uncle. “It took a great deal of time for the movie to get materialized. Getting the right people, who are knowledgeable about the story and culture of Bolivia, to play the characters was a huge challenge. I am curious to know how the film is going to be received in India”, the director said.

 Producer/ Actor Chitrangada Singh and Director Shaad Ali present their film Soorma at an open-air screening at IFFI 2018

 This year as an extension of the Khelo India Branding, Indian Sports Biopics are being screened at the 49th IFFI. As part of this initiative today the film Soorma, a biopic on the extra-ordinary journey of hockey player Sandeep Singh, was screened in the presence of Producer, Chitrangada Singh and Director, Shaad Ali.

While speaking at the occasion, Chitrangada Singh said, “We knew we had the right intent and right content to make the film. This is a small effort to make a hero out of a real-life hero. Here’s to Sandeep Singh.”

It was an open air screening where a large screen was put up. Apart from Soorma, the other films screened in this section include Gold, Mary Kom, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, 1983 and MSD: The untold story.

Panaji: 27 NOV 2018 … We are looking forward for more collaboration with India and the International Film Festival.  We can study about the possible ways of collaboration and provide something more and new to our audience and critics, said Laura Delli Colli, Vice-President of Foundazione Cinema per Roma, the main organisation that conducts the Rome Film Festival.   Laura was addressing a press conference at the 49th International Film Festival of India today November 27, 2018 in Panaji, Goa. Ms. Francesca Via, General Manager of Foundazione Cinema per Roma and Mr. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, eminent Indian director whose film Mere Pyaare Prime Minister(My Dear Prime Minister)  was Euro-premiered at the Rome Film Festival in October this year,  joined her at  the  press conference.

Talking about Indian movies, Ms. Laura said that Indian movies have a very special place in world cinema and that the Indian film industry has much to discover in Italy. On the growing significance of the Rome Film Festival, which is entering its 13th edition next year, Ms. Laura said that the interest of audience and international media is increasing with the passage of each year.

Ms. Laura added that Foundazione Cinema per Roma is going to celebrate maestro Federico Fellini’s birth centenary in 2020 and that all Italians are coming together to organize something big and special. “We love our big masters very much. Today we don’t have many masters remaining. A new generation is also growing up and it is important to have strong relationship with our roots. We have to think about new directors and talents and help them grow up to be new masters. It is not so easy to become a master,” she said.  Giving her take on the relationship between critics and journalists, she said that nowadays critics are not getting much space in newspapers.

Ms. Francesca Via, General Manager, Fondazione Cinema per Roma Foundation said that it is really important for Italy to make an engagement with the Indian Film Festival. “Rome Film Festival is supported by public and private institutions. We have a special section for the youth and films for student community. The public participation is going up by 2%-3 % every year. Asia and Asian films are really important for us,” she said.

Detailing the pre-publicity work that goes into the organisation of the Rome Film Festival,   Francesca said the preparations for promotion starts a full 4 months prior to the festival with a press conference in the month of June, It is followed by another press meet about the updated status in mid-September. In the first week of October just before the Festival starts, another press meet shares the details regarding films, master classes and conversation sessions with the public.

Remembering Italian film-maker Bernardo Bertolucci, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra said that master filmmakers like Federico Fellini, Bertolucci and Akira Kurosawa are his default masters from whom he discovered world cinema. Masters can never die as their works outlive them. He added that films are to be made for perpetuity and not for a weekend. It should go on for hundreds of years and should be a statement of that time, he said.

Sharing his experience at the Rome Film Festival in October this year, Mr. Mehra said the festival is well-organized attracting huge crowds.  People are aware of the screening schedules well in advance and do advance ticket-booking. Talking about the role of media, he said journalists form an important interface between films and the public. “In Europe especially in Italy, journalism played a very important role in constructing cinema and pointing it towards right directions. Journalism can turn a film into a movement”, he added. 

Replying to a question, he said that it is not difficult to make political films; it is about whether you want to do it or not. Social and political cinemas can come back again and again as a reminder and as a reflection, like a mirror of what is happening in society .

Backgrounder

Ms. Laura Delli Colli is the current Vice President of the Fondazione Cinema per Roma and she has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2015. She is a journalist and writer, author of many books devoted to cinema and its protagonists. She is the President of Sindacato Nazionale Giornalisti Cinematografici Italiani (SNGCI) – National Union of Italian Film Journalists. It is the official voice of the Italian film press that officially represents journalists, essayists and journalists working in newspapers, weeklies, newsmagazines, radio and TV, web pages, professionals and publicists.

Ms. Francesca Via is the General Manager of the Fondazione Cinema per Roma which organizes the Rome Film Fest,.  Francesca Via possesses a profound understanding of the inner workings of the structure of cinema and film festivals, and has vast experience as a cultural manager, initially as the Operations Manager of the Auditorium and later, advancing to the position of General Manager and Organizational Director of the Fondazione.

Mr. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is a director, writer and producer. Rakeysh has written, produced and directed the film Rang de Basanti, Delhi-6, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. All these moves have received critical acclaim and were loved by the viewers. His film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was screened in Open Air Section of sports biopic at 49th IFFI on November 22, 2018. His film Mere Piyara Prime Minister was Euro premiered at the Rome Film Festival in October this year

Panaji: November 27, 2018 .. The state festival “Tripurari Poornima”  celebrated  on the bank of river Valvanti at Vitthalapur Sankhali. The festival was organized by Directorate of Art and Culture, in association with Department of Tourism, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Department of Information and  Publicity and Deepawali Utsav Samiti, Vithalapur.

The main feature of the festival is a spectacular boat sailing competition which is held in the basin of river Valvanti. Total 32 boats designed by the participants hailed from different parts of the state, participated in the state level boat sailing competition sponsored by the Directorate of Art and Culture. More than ten thousand spectators witnessed this grand and unique traditional festival.

Speaker of Goa Legislature Assembly, Dr. Pramod Sawant,  Minister for Ayush (IC)Shri Sripad Naik, Minister for Art and Culture, Shri Govind Gawde, M.P.( Rajya Sabha) Shri Vinay Tendulkar, Leader of Opposition Shri Pratapsingh Rane, President of Shri Vitthal temple, Sarpanch of Karapur Sarvan and officials of various departments were present on the occasion to witness the festival.

Shri Milind Gunaji popular film actor also attended the festival as a special invitee.

The Boat competition was judged by Shri Mahendra Chodankar, Shri Sandeep Govekar and Shri Kedar Dhondu the lecturers from Goa College of Fine Art, Panaji.

The final results of the competition has been declared by the Directorate of Art and Culture. Venture Bros Majikwada Paryem 1^st Prize Rs.35,000/-,   Kalyugi Group Vithalapur, Sankhali 2^nd Prize Rs.30,000/-,  Navyuvak Sangathana Savoi Verem 3^rd Prize Rs.25,000/-,   N C Boys Vithalapur, Sankhali 4^th Prize Rs.20,000/-,    Team 5 (Ravan Raj) Rane Wada, Parye 5^th Prize Rs.15000/-.

Consolation prizes of Rs.8000/- each to  S.T.K.P. Boys Vithalapur, Sankhali,  Glowing Star Parye Belwada, Paryem,  Talkhambeshwar Boys Tamidgiwada, Payem, 10 Lalbag Royal Lalbag, Vithalapur,  Friends Yuva Manch Pratapnagar, Harvalem.

Honorarium of Rs. 5000/- each will be given to Tree Pin Boys Tamidgiwada, Paryem, Vaghreshwar Boys Warchawada, Bicholim, Mahayogi Narayannagar, Honda, Bhumika Boys Sawant Wada, Parye, Devil Vithalapur, Sankhali, Jai Bhavani Rane Wada, Parye, Chandreshwar Boys Majikwada, Paryem, Brother Forever Khandola, Marcel, Taleshwar Yuvak Sangh Majikwada, Paryem, Third Eye Sawant Wada, Amona.

All the remaining participants will be given Rs.2000/- each for participating in the competition.

The date and venue of the prize distribution ceremony of the competition will be informed later.

Panaji: 26 NOV 2018 … Three directors of Feature films in Indian Panorama at the 49^th International Film Festival of India addressed a press conference in Panaji, Goa today November 26. 2018. Ram, Director of ‘Peranbu’, Lijo Jose Pellissery, Director of ‘Ee. Ma. Yau.’ and Pratima Joshi, Director of ‘Aamhi Doghi’ participated in the press conference.

Peranbu, the Tamil film directed by Ram got much accolades from a packed audience during its Indian premiere at IFFI yesterday. Elaborating on the genesis of his movie, Ram said that the story is about a spastic child and the parenting issues associated with her. “The screening of Perambu at IFFI was a very thrilling experience. I find that the Indian audience is very mature and celebrates film as an art. Their level of understanding of films and film art is far ahead compared to European or Chinese audience”, he said.

The director also recollected an incident from his personal life when he met with the parent of a differently abled child. A question raised by that parent “Nature has created everyone differently but treats everyone equally; how cruel is it?”- formed the baseline of this touching emotional movie, he further added. Replying to a question on the selection of complicated themes, Ram said that he likes to create movies that challenge him.

Lijo Jose Pellissery said that cinema should not be categorised as regional and national or commercial and parallel. It should be categorised just as good cinema and bad cinema; that will be easier for film makers and audience, he added. On the role of music in his film ‘Ee. Ma. Yau.’, Lijo said that though music score is used only in the last 30 to 40 seconds of the film, the ambient sound is treated more or less like music. “Whatever sound is there in cinema is all atmospheric and part of the ambience”, he said. Replying to a question, he described that long-shot sequences used in cinema can ensure that the emotions and entire array of events are not missed out in the scene.

An actor and costume designer turned director, Ms. Pratima Joshi said that she does not believe in the oft-repeated statement that “women themselves are the enemies of women”. ‘Aamhi Doghi’ touches upon the bonding between a young woman and her ‘not so old’ step mom. She added that though the film is based on a story written in 1973, the subject runs well ahead of the times. Replying to a question on choosing the right actors for character realization, she said that some faces appeared in her mind right at the time she started reading the story.

Backgrounder

Peranbu

‘Peranbu’ is a Tamil language film written & directed by Mr. Ram starring the famous actor Mammootty. ‘Peranbu’depicts an intense emotional drama focusing on the relationship between father and daughter. The film had its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and Asian premiere at Shanghai International Film Festival. Ram’s second film ‘Thanga Meengal’ bagged three awards in categories of Best Feature Film in Tamil, Best Child Artist, Best Lyrics category at the 61st National Film Awards. ‘Peranbu’ is his fourth film.

Ee. Ma. Yau.

Ee. Ma. Yau. is a stunning satire on death and how it affects human lives. Set in Chellanam, a coastal village in Kerala, the film kicks off with the death of an old man named Vavachan Mestri. Vavachan, a master mason belonging to the Latin Catholic community in Kerala, shares memories of his father’s burial with his son Eesy. He expresses the desire for a grand funeral for himself which Eesy promises. After Vavachan’s sudden death, Eesy tries to arrange a good funeral for him but her effort is met with unpredictable obstacles and reactions from different quarters. Subsequent events bring the fore conflict within the family and the deep ethical crisis simmering in the community. The film’s title is an abbreviation of “Eesho Mariyam Yauseppe”, which in some Christian communities, is a prayer whispered in the ears of the deceased. Lijo Jose Pellissery won the Best Director Award at the 48th Kerala State Film Awards for Ee.Ma.Yau.

Aamhi Doghi

Aamhi Doghi by debut director Pratima Joshi works because of its well-established characters. The film, based on Gauri Deshpande’s story Paus Ala Motha, is not just a story of two women. Pratima Joshi succeeds in creating a film that offers a fresh outlook at relations and how they shape a person. It also tells you that someone’s personality should not be the benchmark for being friends with the person. Raised in a household without the presence of her mother and a father who is away most of the times, Savitri Sardesai learns to be practical in her approach towards life. But equations change when her father remarries and brings home Savi’s stepmom Amala.

Panaji ::: November 26, 2018 …The Parishioners of Panaji are gearing up the preparations for the Novena and Feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception under the supervision of the Parish Priest and Parish Pastoral Council. The Feast is annually held on December 8.

The Hoisting and Blessing of the Flag (Fama) will take place on November 28, 2018 at 5.45 p.m. followed by Mass. The Nine day preparations will begin on November 29, 2018 with Rosary at 5.45 p.m. followed by Mass, Sermon and Salve at 6 p.m.

The main theme of the Novena will be “Life of Mary is the true model of the life of the Church”. The Carmelite Fathers will preach the Morning Mass at 8.00 a.m. in English and the evening Mass in Konkani at  6.00 p.m.  On the Feast day i.e. on December 8, the Masses will be held at  5.30 a.m. (inside the Church), 6.30 a.m., 7.30 a.m., and 8.30 a.m. (outside the Church); at 10.00 a.m (Feast Mass), 12.30 p.m. (inside the Church) and last mass at 5.30 p.m (outside Church).

During Novena, post the liturgical service, there will be several stalls, games and music for the people.

This was announced today, by the Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting (I/C), Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore,on Twitter.

Salim Khan was born on November 24, 1935 in Indore. As a master screenwriter, he is known for having penned the masterful screenplays of several super-hit films such asDeewar,Zanjeerand many others, and in particularSholay,one of the greatest hits of Indian cinema.He has registered a memorable contribution as an actor and producer as well.

Panaji: 25 NOV 2018 … ICFT is involved in major film festivals all over the world but Goa is the master-piece of all Film Festivals, said Mr. Georges Dupont, DG, International Council for Film Television and Audiovisual Communication (ICFT) and jury member of the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal at IFFI. ICFT is trying hard to get into festivals like Cannes in order to get space for young film-makers  he added.  Mr. Dupont  was addressing the media along with Mr. Eric Falt, Director of UNESCO and Regional Representative for India & neighbouring countries on the sidelines of the 49^thInternational Film Festival of India in Goa today.

Elaborating on the process of selection, Mr Dupont said that criteria for selecting films to the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal Section are difficult  because they have to meet UNESCO’s  themes of peace,  unity and  international co-operation,  and movies come from different origins and cultures. “Film critics of international repute are involved in the selection process. Movies are shortlisted in India and taken to Paris for jury to watch. Then they are distributed to all the members via internet. The members do their homework as per their convenience and discuss their notes to arrive at a decision. The criteria for selection of movies for  the Medal this year  have been broadened. This year Silver Prize will be given as we are celebrating the 150^th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi”, he said.

Discussing the future prospects of  films and film-making, Mr Dupont said ICFT is trying to get youth involved in these festivals as they are the future of cinema. UNESCO is also educating youth about media in the wake of issues like fake news.

Mr. Eric Falt,  Director, UNESCO said UNESCO supports culture in all its forms and there is a long-standing love affair between cinema and the international  organisation. “UNESCO is involved in many cultural programmes in India. The ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal eschews the value of Peace, Unity and International Co-operation. We are making efforts to prepare for the 50^th anniversary of the festival next year and to bring ICFT and UNESCO closer”, he said.

Replying to a question, Mr. Eric Falt said that India has the most vibrant film industry than anywhere in the world. It makes UNESCO happy and proud to be associated with IFFI. Underlining the importance of dialogue in promoting peace, unity and international co-operation, Mr Falt said UNESCO is  promoting   discourse between international organisations and the  film industry to address various social and cultural issues

Backgrounder

IFFI collaborates with the International Council for Film, Television and  Audiovisual Communication (ICFT) Paris, to present a special ICFT Prize consisting of the UNESCO Gandhi Medal.  ICFT established in 1956, is an official partner of UNESCO, and is an NGO aiming to stimulate the production and distribution of high quality audio-visual work, especially of young artists and media avocations at large.

The UNESCO issued commemorative medal in 1994, marking the 125^th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. Since then the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Award is being given to a film that best reflects Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of peace, tolerance and non-violence. This year 12 films   are vying  for the Award which will be announced at the closing ceremony of the Festival on 28^th November. Out of the 12 films, two are Indian and the rest are foreign.

The Indian films competing for the prestigious ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal are ‘Walking With the Wind’ and ‘Baaram’.The foreign films in the fray are :  Border, Capernaum, Dovlatov, Laugh or Die, Los Silencious, Rain of Homs, The Interpreter, The Mercy of the Jungle, The Rib and The Silent Revolution.

Georges Dupont is a Communication Expert & Member of the National Commission for UNESCO, Luxembourg & presently serving as DG ICFT.

Eric Falt is a French senior official at the United Nations. At present, he is serving as UNESCO Director and Representative for a region covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Previously, from 2010 to 2018, he was Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Public Information at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) based in Paris, with the rank of Assistant Secretary-General (ASG).