‘Dekh Indian Circus’ at Palm Springs Intl. Film Festival

“Dekh Indian Circus,” a critically acclaimed political satire dressed as a family comedy, is grabbing attention at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. The film — which marks Vivek Oberoi’s debut as producer — took the audience award at the 2011 Busan Film Festival and has been gaining momentum on the festival circuit ever since: The Hollywood Reporter calls it “a family comedy that contains a stinging satire of contemporary India and its rampant corruption.”
The 23rd annual Palm Springs Film Festival ran Jan.5-16 and featured 187 films from 73 countries.
Other films from the Subcontinent chosen by programmer Therese Hayes to screen at this year’s festival include “Bol,” a social drama from Pakistan about conflict within an orthodox Muslim household; “Bitter Seeds,” a U.S./India-produced documentary by Micha Peled that sheds light on farmer suicides; and Avie Luthra’s “Lucky,” a feature-length adaptation of his 2006 short film that was shortlisted for an Academy Award. Satyajit Ray’s “Devi” also played to a sold-out screening.
“Abu, Son of Adam,” India’s Oscar submission, also screened at the festival as part of its commitment to screen nearly every foreign language submission for the Academy Awards.
The 2012 Palm Springs International Film Festival featured a stellar lineup of celebrity guests this year, ranging from George Clooney, Tom Hanks and Charlize Theron to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt as well as filmmakers Kenneth Branagh and Stephen Daldry.
Courtesy: India-West staff reporter