India’s five films made it to renowned Palm Springs International Film Festival
Five films from India have made it to the prestigious “21st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival” to be held
at Palm Springs (California, USA) from January 5-18.
These films include “Dev. D” (Hindi, Anurag Kashyap), “The Man Beyond the Bridge” (Konkani, Laxmikant Shetgaonkar), “The
Sun Behind the Clouds: Tibet's Struggle for Freedom” (English, Ritu Sarin Sonam), “Thanks Maa” (Hindi, Irfan Kamal), and “Well Done Abba” (Hindi, Shyam Benegal).
Congratulating the makers of Indian films which made it to the festival, acclaimed Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in
a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged the India Government and large private corporations of India to promote
independent cinema in India. India was full of creative and excellent filmmakers and they only needed an integrated
effort in funding, encouragement, marketing/promotion, exposure in global avenues, and organization of world-level film
festivals in India, Zed, who is chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, added.
“Dev.D”, a modern take on classic Devdas reflecting East-West conflict, stars Abhay Deol, Mahi Gill, and Kalki Koechlin.
“The Man Beyond the Bridge” (Paltadacho Munis), the story of a lonely forest guard and his relationship with a mentally
challenged woman, stars Chitranjan Giri, Veena Jomkar, and Prasanthi Talpanker. In “The Sun Behind the Clouds: Tibet's
Struggle for Freedom”, filmmakers follow His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet over an eventful year giving their
perspective on his trials and tribulations. “Thanks Maa”, a 12-year-old street kid’s search for an abandoned infant’s
mother in Mumbai, has used real street kids and real locations and the cast includes Master Shams, Master Salman, and
Master Fayaaz. “Well Done Abba”, a satirical comedy about village life, stars Boman Irani, Minissha Lamba, and Sammir
Dattani.
Palm Springs International Film Society, which organizes this distinguished Festival, believes that “film as an art form
has the power to bridge cultures and illuminates the universality of the human experience”. Darryl Macdonald is Festival
Director while Harold Matzner is Chairman of Board of Directors. Director-screenwriter Anurag Kashyap (Black Friday)
from India is expected to attend.
ENDS