Takeshi Kitano’s ‘Kubi’ to Open London’s Queer East Festival – Global Bulletin

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CINEMATIC CELEBRATION

Renowned Japanese filmmaker Takeshi Kitano’s samurai masterpiece “Kubi” is slated to kick off the sixth installment of London’s Queer East Festival on April 23 at BFI Southbank. Spanning from April 23 to May 18, the festival will exhibit more than 100 films that delve into LGBTQ+ narratives originating from East and Southeast Asia.

Notable inclusions are “Rookie,” a story about a teenage girl joining an all-female volleyball team in the Philippines; “Under the Moonlight,” a documentary capturing life at an Islamic boarding school for transgender women in Indonesia; and the 1968 Japanese film “Crazy Love,” filmed in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district. Additionally, you’ll find “Bel Ami,” focusing on a middle-aged Chinese man’s choice to reveal his identity, and “Some Nights I Feel Like Walking,” which delves into themes of desire and belonging through the perspective of a teenager navigating Manila at night.

The festival will conclude with “Edhi Alice,” a South Korean documentary by filmmaker Ilrhan Kim, which delves into the lives and experiences of transgender people in Seoul.

2021’s event honors activism, camaraderie, and LGBTQ+ heritage. The celebration has grown past conventional film showings to encompass live events, workshops, and a fresh “Beyond” segment delving into queer identity in Central Asia, South Asia, and Scotland.

The festival is scheduled to occur at multiple locations throughout London, such as the Barbican Centre, Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), Rich Mix, and several other sites.

STREAMING SYNERGY

In India, you can now enjoy Apple TV+ through your Amazon Prime Video subscription as an additional service. For just INR99 ($1.15) a month, Prime members will have access to Apple’s exclusive content collection, with new releases becoming available on a weekly basis.

Viewers can access a variety of popular shows, including comedies such as “Ted Lasso” and “Shrinking,” dramas like “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” “Slow Horses,” and “Disclaimer,” as well as sci-fi series “Silo” and critically acclaimed films “Wolfs” and “The Gorge.” These titles are available for streaming to subscribers.

This development comes after Apple TV+ has teamed up with Prime Video in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, as well as parts of Europe and Latin America.

Kelly Day, Vice President of International for Prime Video, expressed her joy as we officially start providing Apple TV+ on Prime Video in India today.

Apple TV+ is now available as an additional subscription option on Prime Video India, joining services like Lionsgate Play, Discovery+, BBC Player, and many more content providers.

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Apple TV+’s offerings have been added to the array of supplementary subscriptions available on Prime Video India, alongside services such as Lionsgate Play, Discovery+, BBC Player, and various other content providers.

TALENT TRAINING

Netflix is collaborating with the National Film and Television School (NFTS) of the United Kingdom to extend the Access NFTS program. This initiative aims to establish avenues for individuals educated in public schools to enter professions within the film, television, and video game industries.

For over five years, this endeavor has been ongoing, and it’s set to organize over 60 events across the year 2025. These events aim to attract young individuals from various cultural backgrounds into careers within the screen industry.

Attending NFTS Beaconsfield offers a variety of experiences in programming, such as guided campus tours, practical workshops that delve into multiple production jobs, and virtual seminars focusing on off-screen career paths.

Starting next month on the 2nd of April, I’m excited to be a part of a unique collaboration that kicks off with an event in Sheffield. This event includes screenings, discussions, and workshops, all led by talented students and alumni from the National Film and Television School (NFTS). The best part? More events are planned throughout Beaconsfield, Cardiff, Dundee, Great Yarmouth, and Sunderland! Can’t wait to see what these creative minds will bring to the table.

Through this partnership, Netflix is expanding upon its current efforts in youth development. Notably, it has collaborated with the National Youth Theatre on the IGNITE program, which has nurtured up-and-coming talents in regions such as the West Midlands, North East, and London over the past couple of years.

DOWRY DRAMA

Film director Raaj Shaandilyaa, often referred to as “India’s Dream Girl,” through his production house Kathavachak Films, has secured the life rights of Deeptanshu Shukla for the film titled “The Verdict 498A.” This movie tells the story of an individual from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, who was falsely accused under Section 498A and subsequently studied law to combat the perceived misuse of India’s dowry harassment law.

The film, helmed by first-time Hindi-language director Anindya Bikas Datta (known for “Bonku Babu” in Bengali), focuses on the topic of alleged false accusations under Section 498A. It brings attention to instances where men have taken their own lives amid such accusations, shedding light on these tragic cases.

In my own words, I’d express it like this: “This isn’t just Deeptanshu’s tale; it’s the narrative of countless families enduring in silence, a struggle many men face.” Shaandilyaa passionately advocates for judicial changes and a “Men’s Rights Act.” To me, this project transcends the boundaries of cinema, serving as a reflection of an unforgiving truth.

At this stage, we’re preparing for production, and the movie will be filmed in Hindi. Our aim is to expand its reach by releasing it nationwide in five different languages.

DOCU DEVELOPMENT

The KIMFF Foundation has unveiled the initial Kathmandu Doc Lab, scheduled to take place from May 24th to 28th in Nepal’s main city. This five-day program offers an intensive course for nine potential documentary projects by South Asian filmmakers, which will be nurtured through mentoring sessions, specialized workshops, and chances to pitch their ideas.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that the lab boasts an illustrious group of mentors. Among them is Rintu Thomas, an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker known for his work on “Writing With Fire” from India. Additionally, we have Anam Abbas, a renowned producer who has made waves with her work on “In Flames” in Pakistan. Lastly, there’s Arun Bhattarai, a celebrated documentarian whose work on “Agent of Happiness” has left an indelible mark in Bhutan. I can hardly wait to learn from these esteemed professionals!

The program provides participants an opportunity to connect with prominent figures within the film industry such as IDFA Bertha Fund, Sundance, Visions du Réel, and broadcasters like Deutsche Welle. Furthermore, this program presents a chance for winners to receive $5,000 in cash awards.

Since the year 2000, KIMFF (Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival) has been leading the way in Asian mountain film festivals. The application deadline is approaching on April 5th.

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2025-04-02 12:18