Serious Film lovers inLondon are in for some excitement as LondonIndian Film Festival (LIFF) is back with some amazing collection of filmsdiscussing the lives of Asians in a new light. Since London has always been acity of art connoisseurs, The BagriFoundation comes up with an interesting line up of films, which isscheduled from July 16-23. Considering the growing popularity of Asian cinema,the festival will expand to Birmingham.
The 6thedition of the festival is one of the biggest platforms for South Asian cinema will screen Prashant Nair’s Umrika. Winner of Audience Award at 2015 Sundance Film Festival, starring Suraj Sharma and Tony Revolori is the most awaited film. A Delhi boy and student of prestigious St.Stephens College Suraj Sharma rose to limelight with Ang Lee’s hit film Life ofPi plays a pivotal role in the film. Tony Revolori, yet another talented actorwho made a mark with his comic role in the film The Grand Budapest Hotel will join Suraj at the inaugural event onJuly 16.
The film Umrika isabout village boys and their perception about USA.
The film was widely appreciatedand Indian-American director Prashant Nair narrated cultural stereotypesthrough his tight scripts. Nair’s film DelhiIn a Day was earlier screened earlier at the 2012 edition. There’s goodnews for Satyajit Ray fans as the Satyajit Ray Short Film Competition &Award, supported by the Bagri Foundation will be included.
Cricketing fans can rejoice as the festival will end on a serious notediscussing the most popular sport enjoyed by Britons and Asians. Documentary Death Of a Gentleman, directed by Sam Collins will be the highlight ofthe closing day ceremony. The film features interviews of prominent members ofthe cricketing fraternity such as RaviShastri, Kevin Pietersen, Lalit Modi, N Srinivasan and Giles Clarke.
The documentary was in news largely for raising somepertinent about the future ofcricketing with its shift towards commerce driven twenty-20.
Noted Bollywood actressManisha Koirala, who hails fromNepal’s royal family, will attend the festival to raise funds for Nepal Earthquake victims. Versatileactress Konkona Sen Sharma will alsoattend the festival as two of her films titled Saari Raat and Gour HariDastaan: The Freedom File will be screened too. Directed by acclaimedfilmmaker Aparna Sen based onpopular play by Badal Sircar, the film features Konkona in yet another interestingcharacter.