If cinema is your passion and you have a soft spot for the moving pictures, head to the 16th Mumbai Film Festival, organised by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image. If you can’t get enough of films that go beyond the stereotypical Bollywood mould, head here, where you can get a whiff of international cinema, Arabic cinema, new Indian talent, French cinema, restored versions of world classics and films starring Catherine Deneuve, a celebrated French actress — a separate category by itself!
The festival will take place across three venues — Chandan Cinema in Juhu; PVR in Citi Mall, Andheri and Cinemax in Versova. Apart from screening several accomplished films, the festival will also host live talks and interviews featuring celebrated film personalities. On October 19, you can be part of a live talk that will be conducted by director Imtiaz Ali, who will speak with Ruskin Bond, Shyam Benegal and Nafisa Ali (7pm, Cinemax, Versova). You can also attend a discussion by Cinestaan Film Company, on the dearth of good scripts in India today, which will be moderated by screenwriter Anjum Rajabali, and will have Vishal Bhardwaj, Sriram Raghavan, Vikramaditya Motwane and Shridhar Raghavan participating, at 1pm at Cinemax Versova.
If you are a hardcore cinema fan and would like to skip to the good stuff, don’t miss out on these films — Weekends in Normandy (October 20, 8.30pm, PVR, Citi Mall, Andheri), The 50 Year Argument (today, 8.30pm, PVR, Citi Mall, Andheri) and Pride (October 19, 5.30pm, Chandan Cinema, Juhu). There are scores of other films that are being screened, and if you miss these shows, don’t fret as you will get a chance to catch them at another venue, or on another day. Certain films even have an introduction by a director, with Vikramaditya Motwane introducing Black Friday (October 20, 8.30pm, Cinemax, Versova). So check the schedule before you make your pick.
Visit their website to view the entire schedule, reserve seats and check eligibility. The event is open only for those who are above the age of 18.
When Up to October 21
Contact www.mumbaifilmfest.org