European film festival on in city till June 26

MUMBAI: The only connection Indians see between Switzerland and cinema are the films of Yash Chopra, who shot a number of movies in the alpine country. But few are familiar with Swiss cinema.
If you're curious, sign up for the European Film Festival that is currently underway. Organized by the Taj Enlighten Film Society, an NGO that promotes international cinema in Mumbai, the festival offers feature films and shorts by both famous European directors, such as Francois Truffaut and Bernardo Bertolucci, and lesser known ones.
One of the main features of the festival is a selection of films by Jean-Luc Godard. The director is known as a pioneer of French new wave cinema. But he was chosen as he is half Swiss. Films by Godard such as Le Petit Soldat, Oh Woe is Meand, of course, Breathless, will be shown.
The Swiss selection has a number of documentaries. "The Swiss are very strong when it comes to their documentaries," says Pranav Asher, the founder of the society. One of the better known directors to be featured is Daniel Schmid. Two of his works will be shown: Hecate, a 1982 drama that hinges on a mysterious French beauty, and Tosca's Kiss, a 1984 documentary about the residents of Casa di Riposa, a nursing home for retired opera singers that was founded by Verdi.
Another Swiss director to be featured is Kamal Musale, who is part Indian. Musale says that Swiss cinema reflects the characteristics of Swiss society. "It is polite, there is little drama," he says. "So there is a Swiss-ness that is best expressed in documentaries."
Films will be screened at NCPA, Cinemax, Metro Big Cinema, World College and Mumbai Times Café till June 26. For a schedule, visit www.enlighten.co.in or call 4214-1414.