The Finish Line & How We Are Going to Get There

The finish line & how we are going to get there

The world of independent film today is a challenging landscape. Traditional methods of distribution give way to newer digital avenues, forcing us to constantly innovate new ways to obtain funding and locate audiences.  It is also an exciting one. As the recent victories of films such as Precious and The Hurt Locker at the Golden Globes and Academy Awards have proved, films that begin as independent, unassuming ventures can in fact prevail over mainstream blockbusters; they stand as confirmations that lower budgets and riskier subject matter deserve no less than 3-D effects and crowd-pleasing stories.

At FilmKaravan, we have always resolved to support and believe in such films, those that may not use technology as groundbreaking, but are just as visionary in their stories and messages; films like Sita Sings the Blues, the AIDS Jaago, and Supermen of Malegaon (coming in April). In upholding our mission to champion inspiring and courageous projects, we are excited to announce our first home production – a short film called Grant St. Shaving Co., written and directed by our very own Payal Sethi.  We are currently in the midst of post-production but we NEED YOUR HELP to complete the film.

Grant St. Shaving Co. is the story of Vimal, an elderly Indian widower who journeys through New York to replace an antique razor given to him by his late wife on their first anniversary trip to the city. Along the way he relives his memories of their trip and stumbles upon a moment that he shared with her so many years ago, which softens his strained relationship with his daughter | 15 mins, RED camera, Narrative Film | watch the teaser now! (password: payal321)

At once poignant and uplifting, the film embodies our taste for refreshing, honest cinema, and we are eager to bring it to you this Summer.

Over the last few years , we have grown to count on your support for our events and programs. We are requesting your philanthropic endorsement again through a tax deductible donation that will be used to bring the film to fruition and send it off on a world-festival voyage. While any amount, even as little as $10, is of great help, below are some recommended levels of donation with great incentives to match.

Levels of Donation:

* $25   Pre-buy Film DVD
* $50 “Special Thanks” credit on film
* Barter for FilmKaravan banner ad space: 1 week – $100; 1 month – $350
* $1500 Associate Producer Credit
* $2500 Executive Producer Credit

Our deadline to raise $5000 is May 30, 2010.
Click HERE to donate now.

 

Globe Trotting Indies from India

Twenty-ten kicks off to a promising start at the movies with Dev Benegal’s Road, Movie, starring Abhay Deol, Tannishtha Chatterjee and Satish Kaushik bowing to European audiences through its premiere at the uber prestigious Berlin International Film Festival in February (11-21). The film has screened at other major international film festivals, such as Toronto and the Doha Tribeca Film Festival, and will open in Germany right after its Berlinale screening. The Indian release is slated shortly thereafter for late Feb. Umesh Kulkarni’s Vihir (ABCL, releasing Jan 2010) is the other Indian film to be screened along with Road in the Generation section of the festival, where the best films are awarded Crystal Bears. BIFF also announced part of its Panorama section today with 25 films making the first cut.  Just Another Love Story by Kaushik Ganguly and Rituparno Ghosh features in this list. Ghosh plays a gay documentary filmmaker, Abhiroop Sen, in love with the film’s cinematographer.  The narrative follows the making of the documentary film about celebrated Jatra actor Chapal Chaduri, starring the actor himself. The global film industry has sat up and taken notice of Indian films after Slumdog Millionaire, although Indian auteurs have been churning out world-class cinema long before then. The truth is, festivals apart, when it comes down to business, buyers and distributors remain stumped about marketing and selling Indian titles in the international marketplace.  Screen Daily’s Liz Shackleton has an interesting analysis of why this might be the case.  Regardless of what the numbers say however, Indian indies are making their mark on distant shores, and its creators are becoming more savvy about navigating foreign markets. And with all this happening so early in the new year, that’s a very good sign indeed!

Wet Your Feet with Samrat Chakrabarti!

He’s a man on the move with nearly ten films in pre-production, production or close to release in 2009 & 2010. Each time we watch Mr. Chakrabarti in his latest performance we’re charmed by how much he’s grown as an actor, whether he’s playing a no nonsense love-terminator, a smooth talking call-center operator who wins his girl over while trying to collect on her father’s or any number of diverse roles he’s been taking on in films such as The Waiting City (with Radha Mitchell) or Behind the Bodice (with Tanishtha Chatterjee).

FK: Kissing Cousins was…
SC: A film I did…NOT an autobiography.

FK: Favourite Director?
SC: Satyajit Ray

FK: Favorite Cocktail?
SC: A gallon of water, the morning after, to nurse my hangover.

FK: Who is Amitabh Bachchan?
SC: The reason I wanted to become an actor and the reason I am one.

FK: The last movie I saw was…
SC: Yes Madam, Sir, an inspiring documentary about Kiran Bedi, the first Indian woman police officer.

FK: Your take on Bengali cinema?
SC: When it’s done right, it’s the best. (see Favorite Director)

FK: Bollywood smells like…
SC: Like Hollywood but with onions.

FK: Crazy things happen when…
SC: You’re shooting in Kolkata…and you have a moustache.

FK: If I won the lottery, I would…
SC: Give it to my parents, they deserve it.

FK: Amusement Park or Center Stage?
SC: An amusement park, on a rollercoaster, so I can experience that moment of weightlessness.

FK: Karma is…
SC: Calling. pick up. and take action.

Dev D’s Italian Intervention

We’re gutted that we couldn’t personally make it out on the red carpet at the 66th Venice Film Festival (2-12 Sep), but felt very well represented by the fresh faced cast of Anurag Kashyap’s 2009 hit DEV D. Kashyap served on the main jury this year, along with cine greats such as Ang Lee, although his films (Gulaal being the second, but not our favorite)  screened out of competition. That’s one small step for Kash, and a giant leap for Indian cinema.

Is Sita in Your Shopping Bag?

New Yorkers can pick up their shiny copies of Nina Paley’s crowd pleasing animated treasure, SITA SINGS THE BLUES, at the Rubin Museum (150 W 17th Street) for $18 a pop.

The film is also available for rental or purchase on Netflix or Amazon so get your copy and make sure your cousin in Ohio gets his too!

Anuvab Pal on Elevators and Fame

Yes, India is more than its outsourcing, but laughter is still the best medicine, so take a look at the new play from funny-man Anuvab Pal, 1-888-DIAL-INDIA

FK: Describe Manish Acharya
AP: Manish Acharya, is, as Churchill said of Russia, a puzzle wrapped in an enigma, surrounded by a mystery. Except funnier.

FK: New York or Mumbai?
AP: New York filled with people who know everything about India or Mumbai, filed with people who know everything about New York.

FK: Who do you look like?
AP: One person told me the love child of Muamar Quaddafi (President of Libya) and Jhumpa Lahiri.

FK: Fast Cars, Movies or Women?
AP: I don’t know how to drive and I’m married so I’d go with movies.

FK: The President is…
AP: …only 87 minutes.  And pirated I hear.

FK: Spiritual belief?
AP: I believe in spirits. Especially Jack Daniels and Coke.

FK: Wonder why…
AP: …some slum kids in Slumdog Millionaire had crisp British accents.

FK: Sex is…
AP: …not invented by Indians.

FK: Pal is to Soda as
AP: Woody Allen is to Scarlett Johanssen.  Consumed.

FK: What next?
AP: A film about some Indians in Calcutta taking a French Class.  Called French Class.

FK: Any past life experiences?
AP: If one believes in rebirth, I assume I committed some crime to be punished in this life as a playwright.

FK: Plays vs. Films
AP: I’d like to see an actual fight between playwrights and screenwriters and I’d support whoever won.

FK: Favourite person to be stuck in an elevator with?
AP: An elevator repair man.

FK: Fame is?
AP: The name of the distributor in India of both my movies and I am very grateful to the