‘Emilia Perez,’ Korean Hit ‘A Normal Family’ Headline India’s Cinevesture Film Festival (EXCLUSIVE)

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For its second installment, the Cinevesture International Film Festival (CIFF), will unfold a multifaceted schedule from March 20th to 23rd in Chandigarh, India. This event promises an exciting blend of esteemed Oscar laureates and nominees, as well as acclaimed local cinematic productions.

Jacques Audiard’s Academy Award-winning film “Emilia Perez” is the star attraction in the World Canvas segment, sharing the spotlight with Magnus von Horn’s Oscar-nominated Danish production, “The Girl with the Needle.

I’m excited to be a part of the festival kick-off, as we debut the Indian premiere of the Korean feature “A Normal Family,” directed by Hur Jin-ho. This movie was initially unveiled at the Toronto International Film Festival. To make the evening even more special, we’ll also screen the Punjabi short film “The Cycle” by Arpita Mukherjee as part of the opening night festivities.

In its second edition, the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) presents an array of offerings. The World Canvas section boasts 15 international features, while India Unveiled showcases 17 titles. Furthermore, there are special screenings and student films to complete the program.

The Indian lineup boasts a variety of prestigious films from well-known directors such as Dibakar Banerjee’s “Tees,” Vetrimaaran’s “Viduthalai Part 2,” Tigmanshu Dhulia’s “Ghamasaan,” and Raam Reddy’s Berlinale film, “The Fable.” Importantly, Ankur Singla’s Punjabi movie, “Fathers & Sons,” will debut at the festival for the first time worldwide, while Kaushal Oza’s “Little Thomas,” featuring Gulshan Devaiah and Rasika Dugal, will have its Indian premiere.

Among the international offerings, we have an array of captivating films such as “A Family’s Tale” from China, Mati Diop’s “Dahomey,” Lawrence Valin’s “Little Jaffna,” George Sikharulidze’s “Panopticon,” and Yeo Siew Hua’s “Stranger Eyes.” These films represent a broad spectrum of modern cinema from various regions around the world.

The festival plans to honor the memory of renowned Indian filmmaker, Shyam Benegal, by showcasing three of his most acclaimed films: “Manthan,” “Mammo,” and “The Seventh Horse of The Sun/Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda.

As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to see regional cinema taking center stage this year! The Haryanvi film “Bronzed (Kaansya)” directed by Aditya Watts, along with two Punjabi debut films, “Bus No. 7” by Zubin Mehta and the previously mentioned “Fathers & Sons,” all set in Chandigarh, are testament to the festival’s dedication to celebrating local filmmaking talent.

According to festival director V.S. Kundu, the upcoming event will feature a diverse collection of highly-acclaimed foreign films, regional Indian movies, and lesser-known treasures from Haryana and Punjab. This will offer viewers a broad spectrum of cinematic journeys,” said Kundu. “We invite you to feel the unique charm of cinema that can only be experienced through community screenings on a large scale.

Bina Paul, the artistic director of CIFF, stated excitedly: “Residents of Chandigarh are in for a delightful surprise! We’ve got an array of popular movies, hidden gems, regional Indian films, and cinematic pieces from Haryana and Punjab that have yet to be seen. There’s something for both dedicated film enthusiasts and those just starting their cinema journey.

The following is the schedule for our upcoming event:

1. “A Normal Family” directed by Hur Jin-ho from South Korea – India Premiere
2. “Brief History of a Family” directed by Jianjie Lin, with contributions from China, France, Denmark, and Qatar
3. “Crickets, It’s Your Turn,” directed by Olga Korotko, featuring talent from Kazakhstan and France
4. “Dahomey,” co-directed by Mati Diop of France, Senegal, Benin, and Singapore
5. “Emilia Pérez,” a collaboration between Jacques Audiard of France and Belgium
6. “Happyend” directed by Neo Sora from Japan
7. “Little Jaffna,” Lawrence Valin’s creation from France
8. “My Favorite Cake / Keyke Mahboobe Man,” co-directed by Maryam Moghadam, Behtash Sanaie Ha, and featuring talent from Iran, France, Sweden, Germany
9. “My Sunshine / Boku no Ohisama” directed by Hiroshi Okuyama, with contributions from Japan and France
10. “Panopticon,” a collaboration between George Sikharulidze of Georgia, France, Italy, Romania
11. “Shambhala,” directed by Min Bahadur Bham from Nepal
12. “Stranger Eyes / Mò shì lù,” directed by Yeo Siew Hua and featuring talent from Singapore, Taiwan, France, the United States
13. “The Girl with the Needle / Pigen med nålen” directed by Magnus von Horn, a collaboration between Denmark, Poland, Sweden
14. “The Queen of my Dreams / Me, My Mom & Sharmila,” directed by Fawzia Mirza from Canada
15. “Waves / Vlny,” co-directed by Jirí Mádl from the Czech Republic and Slovakia

1. “A Boy Who Dared to Dream of Electricity” (Jigar Nagda)
2. “An Unobtrusive Witness” (Nilesh Maniyar, Shonali Bose)
3. “Angammal: The Warrior Queen” (Vipin Radhakrishnan)
4. “Polished / Brown-Skinned” (Aditya Watts)
5. “The Number 7 Bus” (Zubin Mehta)
6. “Families and Generations / Hidden Connections” (Ankur Singla) – World Premiere
7. “Melodies of Dammam” (Jayan Cherian)
8. “Intricacies of Deception” (Aranya Sahay)
9. “Little Thomas: A Journey Begins” (Kaushal Oza) – India Premiere
10. “Eternal Love / Always Together” (Shalini Ushadevi)
11. “Rhythm of Dammam: The Unheard Narrative” (Jayan Cherian)
12. “Schirkoa: Believing the Lies We Tell Ourselves” (Ishan Shukla)
13. “A Second Chance at Life” (Subhadra Mahajan)
14. “Tees: The Unspoken Truths” (Dibakar Banerjee)
15. “The Fable: A Timeless Story” (Raam Reddy)
16. “The Tiger / The Noble One” (Nikhil Mahajan)
17. “Viduthalai Part 2: Freedom Reborn” (Vetrimaaran)

As a cinephile, I recently had the pleasure of attending special screenings for two captivating films: “The Eden of La Ciotat” by Alain Bergala from France and “The Cycle” directed by Arpita Mukherjee, hailing from India.

These two unique cinematic experiences left me deeply moved and eager to share my thoughts with fellow film enthusiasts. Let’s delve into the world of these remarkable productions together.

Tribute to Shyam Benegal:
“Mammo” (released in 1994)
“Manthan / The Churning” (produced in 1976)
“The Seventh Horse of the Sun / The Seventh Steed of the Sun” (1992)

As a cinephile, I recently had the pleasure of watching three captivating short films from SUPVA – “Family Invitation / Chulha Nyond” by Aman Punia, “Dawn / Bhor” by Prateek Singh, and “Baar” by Amit Dhanda. Each film offered a unique perspective and left a lasting impression on me.

“Family Invitation / Chulha Nyond,” directed by Aman Punia, delves into the complexities of family dynamics through an engaging narrative that will resonate with many viewers. The cinematography is beautiful and the performances are heartfelt. I found myself emotionally invested in the story, making it a must-watch for anyone seeking a profound cinematic experience.

Next up is “Dawn / Bhor,” directed by Prateek Singh. This film explores the themes of time, change, and self-discovery through an intriguing narrative structure that keeps audiences guessing until the very end. The visuals are stunning, and the pacing is perfect, making this a thought-provoking watch for those who enjoy films with a philosophical bent.

Lastly, “Baar” by Amit Dhanda offers an introspective look at the human condition in the face of adversity. The film’s powerful message is delivered through compelling performances and evocative imagery that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll. This moving short film is a must-see for anyone looking for a deeply affecting cinematic experience.

In conclusion, these three films from SUPVA showcase the incredible talent and creativity of their respective directors and are well worth your time. I highly recommend checking out “Family Invitation / Chulha Nyond,” “Dawn / Bhor,” and “Baar” if you’re in search of thought-provoking, emotionally resonant cinema.

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2025-03-11 14:24