Eight days, 105 screens, 155 films... Kolkata film fest raises the bar

KOLKATA: The Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) will kickstart the carnival of cinema on November 11 this year with the screening of 155 films from 65 countries across 105 acreens at 13 venues in the city.

In a new initiative, 18 shows of nine films will be screened as part of the 'Parae Parae Cinema'. An exhibition on Uttam Kumar is also on the cards.

“Mamata Banerjee wants KIFF to be a festival for all. That's our endeavour too,“ said festival co-chairperson

Aroop Biswas

at a press conference on Thursday with chairperson Goutam

Ghose

, director general Atri Bhattacharya and director

Yadav Mandal

by his side.

Ghose went back in time and spoke about how Satyajit Ray had highlighted the enthusiasm of this towards sports and cinema even in the face of adversities. He recounted how Michaelangelo Antonioni had wept seeing the audience turnout for his film `La Notte' during a film festival screening at Rabindra Sadan. “People watch the films, discuss them and if required criticize as well,“ Ghose said, before highlighting how films in the festival will also raise a voice against intolerance.

While on intolerance, questions were asked on KIFF's plans to exhibit any film from Pakistan. References were made to how screening of a Pakistani film `Jago Hua Savera' that had

Tripti Mitra

in the cast and music score by Timir Baran was yanked off from a recently-held film festival in MAMI. “We have tried to get the film but haven't succeeded as yet,“ Ghose replied.

The choice of China as the focal country drew attention. Seven films from China, including ` American Dreams in China', `Black Coal, Thin Ice' and `Wolf Totem', have been included in the festival. When asked if KIFF authorities anticipated any controversy following China's role in the strained Indo-Pak relations, Bhattacharya said, KIFF is a space for international cinema.“We are here to promote good cinema,“ Bhattacharya said.

The festival has chosen Marathi cinema for regional focus and will screen five films, including `Kasaav' and `Court'. This is the first time KIFF will be showcasing a Bengali film at the inauguration, in presence of the Bachchans, Kajol and Sanjay Dutt.