Mumbai October 27, 2012: The Seven Islands International Film
festival set the ball rolling with the ‘India Premier’ of the critically
acclaimed movie ‘Berlin Telegraph’ by Leila Albayaty an Iraqi-French
singer-songwriter and filmmaker. The film festival also witnessed
overwhelming support from the stalwarts of the Indian Cinema, who
supported the festival for providing a strong platform for auteur’s
cinema in India. The festival was inaugurated by Dibaker Banerjee and
Kalki Koechlin by lighting a ceremonial lamp.
Seven Islands International Film Festival will preview 50 movies
across 18 countries, a platform created to celebrate World Cinema. The
festival aims at bringing together global radical filmmakers with new
cinematic approaches that break through the clutter of traditional
filmmaking and create an audience for such movies.
Speaking on the inauguration Mr Dibaker Banerjee commented “I am
extremely encouraged looking at the response such a platform has created
for ‘auteurs cinema’. Audiences today are willing to pay attention
towards experimental movies, however the multiplex culture in India
doesn’t allow director to present such movies in front of the
audiences. In such environment it is the film festivals that can make a
difference in showcasing these movies through their platform. He
further added we have already filed a petition with the government of
India to grant 200 crores from the grant allotted for archiving
100years Indian cinema to encourage directors to focus on making ‘auters
cinema’ that not only entertainment the audiences but also provides a
strong socio economical message.”
Speaking on the occasion Kalki Koechlin said “I am happy to see a
film festival promote a strong theme ‘Women against all odds’, as this
will help women become more aware of the inherent strength that they
possess. I congratulate Seven Islands Film Festival for taking up such a
relevant theme and wish them the best for their future”.
In addition Ms Sakshi Ojha, Festival Director, Seven Islands
International Film Festival said, “We are over whelmed by the support we
have received both by the film fraternity and the audiences, I am sure
the next few days would be equally exciting and will showcase movies
that are sure to enthrall the audiences. The film festival will also
create a platform for discussions and seminars around its theme on women
and encourage emerging talents through musical performances and
regional dance shows, providing a platform for a panoramic showcase of
cultural talent in fields such as music, dance and the arts”.
A ‘touring festival’, Seven Islands International Film festival aims
at creating a platform where different communities and students come
together to watch, deliberate and discuss independent cinema. Launched
at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, the Festival aims to
bring together global radical filmmakers with new cinematic approaches
that break through the clutter of traditional filmmaking.
The theme of the festival will change each year, depending on the broader socio-political happenings around the world.
About Seven Islands International Film festival
Seven Islands International Film Festival is a celebration of global
auteurs in cinema that use film as an artistic language, defining it
with their own aesthetics and idiosyncrasies. It will showcase
international and national films, with a special focus on regional
films.
With India as the backdrop and Indians as one of the oldest and
thriving film and art literates of the world, the festival aims to bring
together global radical filmmakers with new cinematic approaches that
break through the clutter of traditional filmmaking.
Seven Islands International Film Festival is a non-commercial, annual
touring festival that was launched at the Cannes Film Festival in May
2012.
The theme of this year’s festival is Women Rising, Against All Odds
and is an ode to women across the world and a celebration of their
unique and remarkable achievements.
The film festival will also provide a platform for a panoramic
showcase of other regional and local untapped cultural talent in fields
such as music, dance and the arts.
Movie Synopsis – Berlin Telegraph (India Premiere, held on October 26, 2012)
Leila the lead protagonist is a singer-songwriter who lives in
Brussels. When Antoine, the man she is in love with, suddenly walks out
on her for another woman, she leaves for Berlin to start a new life.
Before closing the door of her apartment for the last time, she films
herself in a mirror, vowing, one day, to send Antoine the images of her
new life. It will be her revenge. It’s a musical road-movie that travels
to Brussels, Berlin, Lisbon and Cairo with Leila as our guide . A story
of crossing paths, re-learning to live, and opening yourself up to the
world. Antoine will never get to see the images.
For more, visit the official Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/SevenIslandsInternationalFilmFestival or visit the website www.ssiiff.com
Posted By RASRAJ