films

Cinema in Germany is changing. Even as traditional approaches and perspectives to cinema remain, new currents are finding their way into mainstream filmmaking. These varying influences and emerging trends were all seen at the 5th Indo-German Film Festival, held in Bangalore recently. Source: Goethe Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan The festival that ran under the theme of 'Two nations - a single screen' was held by the Goethe-Institut in collaboration the FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, Germany and Suchitra Film Society. Over the course of a week, 10 German and Indian films were screened at the event.The Indian panaroma had a well thought out selection…

If there is an area where Hindi cinema has never quite got it right, it's science fiction. So as Hindi cinema's most expensive film ever and with the might of Shahrukh Khan backing production, Ra.One raised expectations. But in an age where films like Matrix, Avatar and Inception are routine, director Abhinav Sinha's Ra. One does seem like it's 20 years too late. The film based on a three-page story penned by Abhinav Sinha, was inspired by a commercial. Yet it's interesting that Sinha was Shahrukh's choice for director on Hindi cinema's most ambitious project till date. While Sinha earned…

Kannada film director Pawan Kumar's decision to include 12 minutes of extra scenes in his debut movie ‘Lifeu Ishtene', starring Diganth, has run into trouble with the State Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The scenes were originally part of the film certified by the censor board but were cut when the movie was released in theatres a few weeks ago. They are now being included in the screenings. The move was made to combat piracy and get more people to theatres to watch the movie. Debutant Director's anti-piracy act lands him in trouble. Pic courtesy: Pawan Kumar The makers…

Wise words About the Green line between Greece & Cyprus A potent message Facts on Northern Ireland's religious divide Separating Palestine and Israel Symbols of peace? US shuts out Mexicans The performers pause Why do people build walls between their territories? To ensure privacy? Or safeguard themselves and their belongings? But the borders between "neighbours" such as the United States of America and Mexico, India and Pakistan, Israel and Palestine and other places have been doing much more than protecting the citizens of the respective countries. In fact, they have managed to sow the seeds of violence and animosity apart…

First it was Aindrita Ray, who was crying on television accusing a veteran director of slapping her and touching her inappropriately. Then it was a seasoned and veteran actress Ramya, weeping on small screen to get her money from a producer who had not paid her dues. Then it was another super actress, Pooja Gandhi who threatened to take a producer to court and complained about harassment and threats to her life from another person in the industry. And more recently Nikitha Thukral, although was not seen crying in public, must have shed plenty of tears in private after receiving…

Around 80 activists, both men and women protesting Kannada film industry's action during Darshan controversy were manhandled by Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) members and plain clothes men claiming to be police. The group of about 80 activists - comprising mostly women and a few men - had assembled in front of the KFCC, Kumara Park East, near Shivananda circle, on Saturday, September 24, holding a silent protest. A man who claimed to be from the police arguing with activists. His credentials could not be verified. Pic: Navya P K Problems started as soon as the group was about…

‘*A Call in the Rainforest*' This film documents and examines the impact of human induced changes on one Lion-tailed Macaque sub-population, in the Valparai Range of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. The *Lion-tailed Macaque* (Macaca silenus) is an endangered species according to the IUCN Redlist. The total number of mature Lion-tailed Macaques is estimated to be less than 2500. The duration of the Film is 18 and half minutes long, and is shot with Canon 1D Mark IV (DSLR). It is a full HD movie. Date : 1st Oct 2011 (Saturday) Venue : *Alliance Francaise** De Bangalore* (Near Cantonment Railway Station)…

Cinema located in the lives of Generation Next. A film about love, letting go, life and the contradiction of living. Pawan Kumar's directorial debut Lifeu Ishtene mixes many flavours, leaving us with youthful cinema that retains its simplicity without being simplistic.After successfully assisting Yogaraj Bhatt in the making of Manasaare and Pancharangi, Pawan gets into the director's seat with Lifeu Ishtene and does not disappoint. His cinema retains its trademark popular appeal, without losing a unique perspective. In the end he leaves us with a single thought - what is life if it is not lived truly and completely? Source:…

In 1892, Whitefield was the only settlement in India that European and Eurasians could call their own. Old chronicles narrate that David Emmanuel Starkenburgh White decided to set up setttlement on a donation of land from the Maharajah of Mysore as a ‘self sufficient Anglo-Indian village’, where everyone worked for ‘the common good’. More than a century later, across a landscape where flashy malls and exclusive gated communities abound, Whitefield is home to the offices of multinational corporations like IBM, Hewlett Packard, SAP Labs, Dell, Cap Gemini, Oracle, GE Medical Systems, ABB and Unilever. Whitefield Diaries is screening again on September 24th at…

With Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Farhan Akhtar takes off where he left us with Dil Chahta Hai and Rock On!!. But in this film, sister Zoya Akhtar (and not Farhan) takes the director's chair.  Source: Excel Entertainment Like previous films from Excel Entertainment (Farhan's production house), this is a film about friendship, love, life and letting go. It's a journey of self-discovery, set in that twilight zone where boys finally become men.Kabir (Abhay Deol) is engaged to marry Natasha (Kalki Koechlin). But before that, he is to have his Bachelor Party-a three-week road trip in Spain, with his buddies Imraan…