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Hyderabad International Film Festival: Jan 3rd-10th, 2008

For the second time, the Hyderabad Film Club will be hosting the HIFF from January 3rd to the 10th, 2008. Last year the festival took place in its debut edition in March after several delays by the management. I was working in New Delhi back then so I missed it. The festival last year limped on to its completion against several setbacks and mishaps by the management or so I’ve heard. Among these many complaints, like many others I was just happy that we finally have a film festival of global standards in Hyderabad. This privilege has been long overdue to the city.

This year things look much better as the festival is going to open on its promised date of January 3rd and boasts a long line up of internationally acclaimed films. As I have mentioned in my previous post, I’m extremely excited because my short-film has been selected for screening which will also serve as the world premiere. So if I may indulge in some self-promotion:

WORLD PREMIERE: Windows of the Sunset

Above is the official one sheet poster for the film and below is the official trailer.

For synopsis, cast & crew, stills and other details you can download the official presskit here.

You can view a clip from the film here.

The official website of the film can be visited here.

Let’s move onto the other specials in the Festival.

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days

The 2007 Palme d’Or winning Romanian film will be screened at the festival. This film has already received top honours at Cannes, New York Film Festival and many more elite festivals around the world. It is being called the revolutionary Romanian film of our times. I’ve heard so much about this film that I didn’t think I’d get a chance to see it till it gets released on DVD a few years later. I fully intend on attending the screening and see what the fuss is about.

RETROSPECTIVE: Emir Kusturica

The festival will be paying tribute to Emir Kusturica (now known as Nemanja Kusturica) by screening three of his most critically-acclaimed films: When Father was Away on Business (1985), Arizona Dream (1993) and Underground (1995). Kusturica became one of the few filmmakers to win the Palme d’Or twice for When Father was Away on Business and Underground. Arizona Dream is his first and only film made in USA and stars Johnny Depp and Faye Dunaway. I plan to catch all three films.

TRIBUTES: Antoini and Bergman

The festival will be paying respects to two of the greatest filmmakers that we lost early this year: Michaelangelo Antoini and Ingmar Bergman. The almost-consecutive losses of these two giants of world cinema had left a large hole in the hearts of long time film-lovers and filmmakers everywhere. The festival will screen Antoini’s Red Desert (1964) and Bergman’s The Face (1958).

For the rest of the films being screened at the festival, you can check out the list at their website here.

All in all, the festival management has done a great job in compiling some excellent films from all around the world and it feels like the stage is set for a good one week. The only question remains in the festival management’s efficiency at handling such a heavy list because while the line-up is very impressive and right up there with the elite film festivals of the world, the real experience of a world-class festival comes from the hands of the event management. They’ve done well so far by meeting their deadlines this year, let’s hope they carry that spirit through the 8 days.

And to all of you HAVE A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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