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: Anurag Kashyap’s Black Friday premiered at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, long before it got a commercial release in India. So did Nishikant Kamat’s national award-winning Dombivli Fast and Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, before it became a rage in the US. The seventh annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles 2009, to be held between April 21 and 26, is a great platform for independent filmmakers. It is opening with Farhan Akhtar’s debut filmas an actor, The Fakir of Venice, which is yet to see a release in India, screening Nandita Das’ Firaaq and Deepa Mehta’s Heaven on Earth. It’s also honouring Anil Kapoor by showcasing his films like Lamhe and Virasat and premiering the English version of Gandhi, My Father. Kapoor produced the film, which explores the cost Mahatma Gandhi’s own family bore due to his efforts to free the nation.
“From a two-three day festival, it has grown to a seven-day affair,” says Kashyap. “It’s a great festival to connect with because Hollywood filmmakers and studio agents come to watch the movies,” he adds. IFFLA made Black Friday famous. “Over the years, it has screened and promoted many films like Dombivli Fast and Slumdog.... After Dombivli was screened at IFFLA, it was shown at 35 festivals,” he recalls.
If Farhan Akhtar is landing acting roles now, it’s because of his performance in Anand Surapur’s The Fakir of Venice, produced by Phat Phish Motion Pictures. “I saw Farhan in The Fakir of Venice and loved his performance,” says Zoya Akhtar, who finally asked her brother to play the role of Vikram, a struggler, in her debut film Luck by Chance. Also on show will be Sooni Taraporevala’s Little Zizou (executive producer Mira Nair), and Nina Paley’s animated Sita Sings the Blues.
As part of IFFLA’s ongoing commitment to supporting and showcasing restored prints of Indian classic films, the festival will pay homage to BR Chopra by screening his classic, Naya Daur. Megan Doneman’s Yes Madam, Sir, a documentary on Kiran Bedi, the first woman to join the Indian Police Service and a controversial and inspiring figure, will also be screened. CNN’s Dr Sanjay Gupta and Suneel Gupta will officially launch the Kahani Movement at IFFLA. The brothers are co-founders of the film project to capture and share stories from Indians who immigrated to the United States.
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