KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
International Film Festival of Kashmir (IFFK) 2015 organized by Experimental Moving Images and Theater Association (XMITA) Tuesday started at Tagore Hall with Feature films and long documentaries.
On day first, the festival showcased films based on social drama, romantic tragedies and ethnic identity aiming to highlight diverse world issues, culture and politics.
XMITA is organizing the film festival in collaboration with HOTICE, an event management company.
A total six films were screened today which included three feature films made in Iran, Assam and Gilgit-Baltistan, and two documentaries, a statement issued by XMITA said late this evening.
The award winning film ‘Absolute Rest’ directed by Iranian filmmaker Abdolreza Kahani was appreciated by movies buffs who attended IFFK’s first day.
“This is a matter of satisfaction for us as the selection of films on the first day was received well by audience especially youth,” said Ali Emran, the festival curator.
“Iranian movie ‘Absolute Rest’ focusing on the problems of women was applauded by the audience very well,” he said.
‘Absolute Rest’ recounts the story of a woman who leaves her hometown with her child after getting a divorce, but her ex-husband does everything he can to force her to go back. This was the Asian Premier of the film, Emran said.
Assamese feature film Othello produced by Manabendra Adhikary under the banner of Artha Film was also screened on the first day.
The films which has many national awards including best screenplay at the Indian Cine Film Festival-2014 in Mumbai presents a tangential evocation of Shakespeare’s play as it explores mistrust and prejudice in a society ridden with political turmoil.
“It is deep through adaptation of Shakespear’s play with beautiful directed scenes which left the audience spell bound,” said Azad Shah, a film actor.
‘Gour Hari Dastaan’ based on true-life story of a middle-aged man and his struggle to be officially recognized as the freedom fighter.
In the movie, Vinay Pathak offers a deeply engraved character as Gandhian idealist and Khadi Kraft worker Gour Hari Das, who, when his son fails to secure admission in an engineering college under the Freedom Fighters quota, becomes determined to seek acknowledgment of his fight for the nation. After going from pillar to post Das’ pursuit of a mere official document pits him against an apathetic system and a corrupt bureaucracy.
Directed by Ananth Mahadevan and written by CP Surendran, the film presents a emotional and tragic narrative with prolific acting by Konkona Sen Sharma and Ranvir Shorey in the main supporting roles.
On December 23, the second day of IFFK at Tagore Hall will showcase films from International competition and J&K select.
