32 INDIA ABROAD May 4, 2018 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Lights Out: 18th Annual New York The N.Y. Indian Indian Film Film Festival Begins Festival A scene from the opening night film SCHEDULE "Nude." Ravi Jadhav's Marathi Premieres aplenty at Lower East Side fest for cinephiles film, will have its U.S. SUNDAY May 8 premiere on May 7.
“CRD” New York Premiere Tuesday May 8, 2018 @ 6.00 pm, Auditorium 2 Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave @ 12th Street, NYC.
“Take Off” Tuesday May 8, 2018 @ 6.15 pm. Auditorium 3 Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave @ 12th Street, NYC. Post-screening discussion with director Mahesh Narayan. Winner: National Film Awards 2018 - Best Production Design, Special Mention Parvathy and the film.
“My Pure Land” North America Premiere Tuesday May 8, 2018 @ 6.30 pm. Auditorium 4 Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave @ 12th Street, NYC. By Bhargavi Kulkarni will keep them coming job as a nude model at an art Britain's Official Entry Best back for more." school — a profession she Foreign Language Film Category, 90th Academy our world premieres, The festival, at the keeps a secret, out of Awards two international pre - Village East Cinemas fear, in order to sur - mieres, six North on Manhattan’s vive. American premieres, Lower East Side, “Omerta” is “Shakespeare Wallah” F one U.S. premiere and will also pay trib - described by the Tuesday May 8, 2018 @ 7 11 New York premieres ute to Shashi NYIFF as a “mind- pm. Auditorium 5 from India, Pakistan, Kapoor and numbing and cere - Village East Cinemas, 2nd Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as Sridevi, two icons bral take on this Ave @ 12th Street, NYC. well as North America and the of the Indian film complex paradox of Post-Screening discussion with director James Ivory United Kingdom, will be industry who died Omar Saeed Sheikh, and actress Madhur Jaffrey unveiled at the 18th edition of in the last five played by Rajkummar Winner: Silver Bear Award the New York Indian Film months. Rao. Omertà is the code for Best Actress (Madhur Festival being held May 7 to 12 The opening film of silence, punishable by Jaffrey), 15th Berlin in Manhattan. The six-day festi - will be Ravi Jadhav's death if violated. The International Film Festival val will screen 78 films in 11 lan - Marathi film “Nude,” secrets of the real Omar will guages: English, Hindi, Marathi, making its U.S. premiere. go with him to his grave; this Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, The festival will close with the Omertà is a look at trying to Kannada, Tulu, Konkani, New York premiere of understand the mind of a man Bengali and Assamese. “Omerta,” Hansal Mehta’s who is out of touch with the “NYIFF is known around the biopic on Islamic fundamental - world — a man who lives two world for its top-notch, out-of- ist Omar Saeed Sheikh. lives, a man who has a wife and the-box programming, and this Miransha Naik’s Konkani film child, but no friends except year is no different," said “Juze,” will be the centerpiece those who further his needs.” founder Aroon Shivdasani. "The film, making its North American The film “Juze” is set in New York audience is sophisti - premiere May 10. Boribmol, a village in Goa with a cated, well-traveled, educated “Nude” is the story of large immigrant population. The and discerning; as such, our Yamuna, whose husband aban - NYIFF promotional materials content reflects what we think dons her and their 12-year-old describe the plot: “The village is will resonate with the cinephiles son for another woman. She Tisca Chopra in ruled by an abusive, thuggish of this cosmopolitan city and relocates to Mumbai and finds a “The Hungry.” bully, Juze, known as the ‘slum Continued on page 36
INDIAABROAD .COM 34 INDIA ABROAD May 4, 2018 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 18th Annual New York Indian Film Festival
May 7-12, 2018
TUESDAY May 8 WEDNESDAY May 9 OPENING NIGHT WEDNESDAY May 9 THURSDAY May 10
MONDAY May 7
“Ajj” (“Granny”) “Balekempa” (“The Bangle “c/o Kancharapalem” “Abu” (Father) New York Premiere Seller”) World Premiere International Premiere of the Tuesday May 8, 2018 @ 9.00 North America Premiere Wednesday May 9, 2018 @ Urdu Version pm. Auditorium 2 Wednesday May 9, 2018 @ 9.30 pm. Auditorium 4 Post-Screening discussion with Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave 6.15 pm. Auditorium 3 Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave director Arshad Khan @ 12th Street, NYC. Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave @ 12th Street, NYC. Post-screening discussion @ 12th Street, NYC. North America of Ravi Jadhav's Post-Screening discussion with “Gali Guleiyaan” (In the with producer Siddharth Post-Screening discussion “Nude” director G.R. Venkatesh Maha Shadows) Anand Kumar with director Ere Gowda Monday May 7, 2018 @ 6.00 pm. New York Premiere Winner: FIPRESCI Award at Auditorium 1 THURSDAY May 10 Thursday May 10, 2018 @ 9.15 the 47th International Film Village East Cinemas, 2nd Avenue pm.Auditorium 3 Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) @ 12th Street, NYC. “Bird of Dusk” Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave 2018 North America Premiere World Premiere @ 12th Street, NYC. Post-screening discussion with Thursday May 10, 2018 @ 6.00 Winner: Jury Grand Prize, director Ravi Jadhav & cast, “The Summer of Miracles” pm. Auditorium 2 India Gold Section, Mumbai Afterparty North America Premiere Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave Film Festival (MAMI) 2017 @ 12th Street, NYC. Post-Screening discussion with Wednesday May 9, 2018 @ May 7th Tickets: Red carpet, Post-Screening discussion with cinematographer Kai 6.30 pm. Auditorium 4 cocktail party, opening Night film director Sangeeta Datta Miedendrop Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave screening, post-screening discus - @ 12th Street, NYC. sion with Director & cast, “Venus” Winner: Kerala State Awards Afterparty. “Juze” Shorts D — Dramatic Stories 3 Tuesday May 8, 2018 @ 9.15 2018 Special Mention, Acting Tickets: $50 general admission; $45 North America Premiere Thursday May 10, 2018 @ 9.30 pm. Auditorium 3 (Chandra Kiran GK); London IAAC members. Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave Asian Film Festival 2018, Best Thursday May 10, 2018 @ 6.15 pm. Auditorium 4 pm. Auditorium 3 Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave @ 12th Street, NYC. Debut Film May 6th + 7th Tickets Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave @ 12th Street, NYC. Post-Screening discussion (2 wonderful evenings): Gala on the @ 12th Street, NYC. “Torn Pages” with director Eisha Marjara Cornucopia Majesty Yacht on May “Heat and Dust” Post-Screening discussion with “Irupuram” (“Two Sides”) 6th: Gala on board the Cornucopia director Miransha Naik “Maa” Wednesday May 9, 2018 @ 7 Majesty Yacht. Dine and dance Shorts B — Dramatic Stories 1 “Neend” (Sleep) pm. Auditorium 5 while sailing around the NYC “Payal” Tuesday May 8, 2018 @ 9.30 Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave harbor. Live auction, jazz band, pre - “To Let” “Everything is Fine” pm. Auditorium 4 @ 12th Street, NYC. mium bar, gourmet dinner, dance Thursday May 10, 2018 @ 6.30 “Clash of Morality” Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave Post-Screening discussion performance, Mira Nair & Salman pm. Auditorium 4 “Shunyata” (“The Void”) @ 12th Street, NYC. with director James Ivory and Rushdie speak + May 7th Red car - “Perspective” Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave actress Madhur Jaffrey pet, cocktail party, opening Night “Mandi” (“The Market”) @ 12th Street, NYC. film screening. “Humming Bird” Winner: National Film Awards “Mayurakshi” Tickets: $500; $380 IAAC Members. “Majaal Hai” 2018 - Best Tamil Film Friday May 11, 2018 @ 6.00 “ReFraction” CLOSING NIGHT pm. Auditorium 2 “Fifteen Years Later” Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave “Al-war” “Autobiography of a Princess” @ 12th Street, NYC. SATURDAY May 12 “Moongfali Wala” (The Peanut Thursday May 10, 2018 @ 7.00 Winner: National Film Awards Seller) “Omerta” pm. Auditorium 5 2018 - Best Bengali Film “Mehram” Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave Post-Screening discussion with New York Premiere @ 12th Street, NYC. director Atanu Ghosh Saturday May 12, 2018 @ 6 pm. Post-Screening discussion with Auditorium 1 SUNDAY May 9 director James Ivory and Village East Cinemas, 2nd Avenue actress Madhur Jaffrey “Chumbak” (“The Lottery”) @ 12th Street, NYC. “Bhasmasur” “The Hungry” New York Premiere Tickets: $50, $45 IAAC members. Friday May 11, 2018 @ 6.15 pm. New York Premiere New York Premiere (includes Red carpet, Cocktail Party, Auditorium 3 Wednesday May 9, 2018 @ Wednesday May 9, 2018 @ Hansal Mehta's “Omerta,” Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave 6.00 pm. Auditorium 2 9.00 pm. Auditorium 2 post-screening discussion, Award @ 12th Street, NYC. Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave Ceremony, Afterparty) Post-Screening discussion with @ 12th Street, NYC. @ 12th Street, NYC. Post-screening discussion with director Sandeep Modi Post-Screening discussion Post-Screening discussion director Hansal Mehta and actor with director Nishil Sheth with director Bornila Rajkummar Rao Chatterjee, and co-scriptwriter and producer Tanaji Dasgupta “Light in the Room” World Premiere Friday May 11, 2018 @ 6.30 Shorts A — LGBTQ Stories pm. Auditorium 4 “Mehnd” Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave “Sariwala” @ 12th Street, NYC. “Arrangement” Winner: Kerala State Awards “The Homestay” 2018, Best Film, Best Character “Maacher Jhol” (“The Fish “Kumbh” Actor (Pouly Valsan), Best Curry”) Thursday May 10, 2018 @ 9.00 Editing, Special Jury Award “Khol” pm. Auditorium 2 (Vinitha Koshy) “Monogamish” Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave “Pashi” @ 12th Street, NYC.
INDIAABROAD .COM 36 INDIA ABROAD May 4, 2018 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
18th Annual New York Indian Film Festival
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY May 11
“English Vinglish” Friday May 11, 2018 @ 7.00 pm. Auditorium 5 Village East Cinemas, 2nd Mrinmayee Godbole and Vinay Avenue @ 12th Street, NYC. Sharma in Kranti Kanade’s “CRD.”
Shorts C — Dramatic Stories 2 Seema Bhargava Pahwa and Swara Bhaskar Friday May 11, 2018 @ 9.00 in “Shame,” directed by Anusha Bose. pm. Auditorium 2 Lights Out: Village East Cinemas, 2nd Avenue @ 12th Street, NYC. The N.Y. “Licorice” “Eye Test” Indian Film “Cobbler's Dream” “Forbidden” Fest Begins “The Lost” “Sound Proof” Continued from page 32 “Khidkee” landlord.’ His appetite for vio - lent intimidation keeps his immigrant workforce submis - sive, even when his roving eye extends to their women. Santosh, a 16-year-old boy, is not intimidated. His determina - tion to continue with his classes remains constant, in spite of regular beatings from Juze. As events build to a breaking point, Santosh’s passive resist - ance evolves into determination to confront Juze and finally achieve freedom from fear.” “Shakespeare Wallah” and “Heat and Dust” will also be screened as part of the “Paddayi” Merchant-Ivory Retrospective. International Premiere There will also be panel discus - Friday May 11, 2018 @ 9.15 sions on discovering the film pm. Auditorium 3 A scene from Vandana Village East Cinemas, 2nd and television market in India, Kataria’s “Noblemen.” Avenue @ 12th Street, NYC. shooting films in New York Winner: National Film State and the role of the inclu - Awards 2018: Best Tulu sion rider in Hollywood. Film The tribute to Sridevi will Post-Screening discussion include the screening of with director Abhaya Simha “English Vinglish,” a 2012 film written and directed by Gauri “Unlock” Shinde, who swept all the best debut director awards that year. Friday May 11, 2018 @ 9.30 pm. Auditorium 4 The film was shortlisted as Village East Cinemas, 2nd India's official entry for the Avenue @ 12th Street, NYC. Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film catego - “Her. Him. Other “ ry. World Premiere The film earned global Post-Screening discussion acclaim at several international with director Prasanna festivals, and Sridevi was hailed Vithanage “Uma” for her performance as the "Meryl Streep of India" and the Continued on page 38
INDIAABROAD .COM 38 INDIA ABROAD May 4, 2018 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Chezhiyan Ra’s Tamil Lights Out: film “To Let,” is the story 18th Annual New York of a couple with child. The N.Y. Indian Film Festival Indian Film Fest Begins SCHEDULE
Continued from page 36 SATURDAY May 12 "female Rajnikanth in Japan." Two Indian language adap - tations of Shakespeare — the Hindi film “The Hungry” and the Tulu film “Paddayi” — will also be screened May 9 and 11 respectively. Bornila Chatterjee’s “The Hungry” fol - lows Tulsi Joshi. She is described on the NYIFF web - site as “a widow and bride-to- be who comes to her own wed - ding seeking revenge for the brutal murder of her first born son.” The film, set in north India, is based on North America Premiere Saturday May 12, 2018 @ ance leaves two of the men dead, Jury Grand Prize, India Gold Shakespeare's “Titus Saturday May 12, 2018 @ 3.00 pm. Auditorium 2 an enraged Mehrban calls in a Section at the 2017 Mumbai Film Andronicus,” and explores 12.00 pm. Auditorium 2 Village East Cinemas, 2nd local ragtag militia — two hun - Festival, Prasanth Vijay’s “the violence that exists Village East Cinemas, 2nd Ave @ 12th Street, NYC. dred armed bandits. But even Malayalam film “The Summer of Ave @ 12th Street, NYC. “Interiors & Exteriors” between power and love,” “Naked Wheels” with only a handful of bullets Miracles,” Special Mention win - according to the website. “Still Rolling — The DDLJ left, Nazo refuses to ner of the Kerala Abhaya Simha’s “Paddayi” is “Children Playing God” Story” give in.” State Awards and a modern day adaptation of New York Premiere “Limitless” Devashish well as the Best Macbeth,” set in a tiny village Saturday May 12, 2018 @ Post-Screening discussion Makhija’s critically Debut Film at the within a megacity’s borders. 12.15 pm. Auditorium 3 with director Vrinda acclaimed “Ajji,” Organizers London Asian Film The website says: Village East Cinemas, 2nd Samartha starring Sushma plan tributes Festival 2018; and “Characters in the film belong Ave @ 12th Street, NYC. Deshpande in the to screen Abhishek Verma’s to an indigenous community of Post-Screening discussion titular role, will short film “Maacher Shorts E – Romance & fishermen. Madhava and with director Ashok Vish also have its New icons Shashi Jhol” (“The Fish Comedies Sugandhi [are] a newly married York premiere May Curry”), which will be Saturday May 12, 2018 @ Kapoor, couple from the fishing com - 8. screened May 10 as “Breaking the Bee” 3.15 pm. Auditorium 3 munity of South India. Their Village East Cinemas, 2nd The plot is a Sridevi part of the LGBTQ lust for better life and thirst for Ave @ 12th Street, NYC. revenge story in shorts. It won the upward mobility is ignited by “From Jappan” which a grand - 2018 National Film the prophecies from the spirit “Layove mother seeks jus - Award for Best that wander the land. Dinesha, “Tej Bahadur” tice for a brutal assault on her 10- Animation Film. owner of the fleet gives them “Life in Other Words” year-old granddaughter. There will also be a screening new dreams and hopes. But “And sometimes, she loved Festival-goers will also have a of Indian-American actor Manish me too” when their life was on a new chance to see award-winning Dayal’s short film “Fifteen Years “Ullangai Nellikkani” (“A high, Dinesha betrays and Gooseberry in her Palm”) films like Chezhiyan Ra’s “To Later,” which, according to the takes back what he gave. Now “Shameless” Let,” which won the National festival website, “works to deep - Madhava and Sugandhi are “Jaan Jigar” (“Beloved”) Film Award for Best Tamil film; en discussion and education on determined for a bitter New York Premiere “Tara Versus” Dipesh Jain’s “Gali Guleiyaan” the issues of race and police bru - revenge. They set out on a Post-Screening discussion “Shame” (“In the Shadows”), starring tality in our current political cli - journey riding the tide of ambi - with director Sam Rega Manjor Bajpayee, winner of the mate.” tion in a boat dotted by their “Noblemen” personalities. Sugandhi pro - vokes and Madhava is pro - “ISHU” voked. Madhava in order to U.S. Premiere Saturday May 12, 2018 @ win over his insecurities, 12.30 pm. Auditorium 4 defeats his morality. The story Village East Cinemas, 2nd soon turns into a tale of mur - Ave @ 12th Street, NYC. der and regrets.” Winner: National Film “My Pure Land” makes its Awards 2018 - Best New York premiere May 8. The Assamese Film film was Britain's official entry for Best Foreign Language Film Documentary Shorts for the 90th Academy Awards. Directed by Sarmad Masud, “My Pure Land” is based on a true story. The website describes its plot: “A young woman called Nazo and her mother and sis - New York Premiere ter, who are called to defend Saturday May 12, 2018 @ their home after a bitter family 3.30 pm. Auditorium 4 feud leads to her father’s incar - Village East Cinemas, 2nd ceration. In their isolated farm - Ave @ 12th Street, NYC. house in Pakistan, the women Post-Screening discussion with director Vandana find themselves surrounded by Kataria armed men hired by their A scene from Nirmalan Uncle Mehrban to take back Nadarajah’s Tamil film “Unlock.” the land. When Nazo’s resist -
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