‘THE WAY HE LOOKS’ IS CLOSING FILM AT KASHISH 2015

The award winning coming of age romantic drama from Brazil, The Way He Looks, is the closing film at the sixth edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival – South Asia’s biggest and India’s only mainstream LGBT film fest. The festival will be held between May 27-May 31 at three venues in South Mumbai – the iconic Liberty Cinema and Alliance de Francaise at New Marine Lines and Max Mueller Bhavan at Kala Ghoda.

The director of the movie Daniel Riberio said: “I’m very happy that The Way He Looks will be the closing night film at KASHISH 2015. Closing nights are celebratory events, so I hope the film can carry forward the mood for an exciting evening and that the story can touch the hearts of KASHISH’s audience!’’

The Way He Looks which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2014, was the winner of the FIPRESCI Prize (Best Feature Film) and Teddy Award (Best LGBT-themed Feature) at the festival. It has won the Audience Awards at Frameline, Outfest and was the Brazilian entry for Best Foreign Film Award at the 2015 Oscars. The film will be screened at KASHISH on May 31, 2015 at Liberty Cinema at 10 pm following the closing and awards ceremony.

“Daniel Ribeiro charmed KASHISH audiences in 2013 with his short film ‘I Don’t Want to Go Back Alone’. He now returns with a feature length adaptation of the same film. The story of a visually challenged youth who struggles to cope with the pressures of growing up, which is complicated by his nascent sexual orientation, ‘reaches out and touches your heart’. Balancing an over-doting family and peer pressure, it could be a story of any teenager, but the protagonist’s life is complicated by his romantic and sexual feelings for his male classmate. Brilliant acting, sensitive handling of youthful angst, and the easy pacing of the film makes it a memorable one, long after the film is over. This is the feeling we wanted to leave the audience with at the Closing Night – a lasting memory of KASHISH 2015,’’ said Festival Director Sridhar Rangayan.

The Way He Looks (Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho)
Director: Daniel Ribeiro
2014 | 96 min | Portuguese with EST | Brazil
Narrative Feature

May 31, 2015 at 10 pm at Liberty Cinema

Film Courtesy: Films Boutique

A coming of age drama about Leonardo, a blind young man feeling overprotected by all those around him. At home, his mother won’t let him do things by himself, or even be alone. Outside, his best friend Giovana, leaves no room for him to stand up for himself before all the bullying. Seeing no way out, Leonardo considers going on an exchange program, hoping he could start fresh. Things take an unexpected turn when Gabriel, a new student arrives on campus, becoming friends with him and Giovana. Leonardo gravitates towards Gabriel, excited to be friends with someone who acts differently from everyone else.

Daniel Ribeiro

After graduating from University of São Paulo’s Film School, Daniel Ribeiro wrote and directed short films Café com Leite and I Don’t Want to Go Back Alone (screened at KASHISH 2012), that were screened at over 180 festivals worldwide and received 115 awards, including the Crystal Bear at the 58th Berlinale – Berlin International Film Festival. The Way He Looks is the feature version of I Don’t Want to Go Back Alone and Daniel’s feature debut.

Festivals & Honors:

2014 64th Berlin International Film Festival, Panorama section – World Premiere
2014 64th Berlin International Film Festival, WINNER – FIPRESCI Prize (Best Feature Film) and Teddy Award (Best LGBT-themed Feature)
2014 Torino International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Italy – WINNER Audience Award
2014 Frameline 39th San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival- WINNER Audience Award
2014 Outfest 32nd Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival, USA – WINNER Audience Award (Best Film)
2014 Athens International Film Festival, Greece – WINNER Audience Award (Best Dramatic Feature)
2014 45th India International Film Festival, Goa
2015 São Paulo Association of Art Critics Awards – WINNER Best Actor (Ghilherme Lobo)
2015 87th Academy Awards nomination as Brazilian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film

KASHISH 2015

The 6th edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival will be held from 27th to 31st 2015 at Liberty Cinema, May 28th to 30th 2015 at Alliance Française de Bombay and May 29th to 30th 2015 at Max Mueller Bhavan. The theme for this year’s festival is `Reaching Out, Touching Hearts’. Over five days 180 films from 44 countries will be screened at the festival.

KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival

 Voted as one of the Top 5 LGBT Film Festival in the World, KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is South Asia’s biggest queer film festival and the only LGBT film festival in India to be held in a mainstream theater.

Founded in 2010, KASHISH is held over 5 days at three venues. The festival this year will be held at Liberty Cinema, Alliance Française and Max Mueller Bhavan in South Mumbai. It is the first Indian LGBT festival to be held with approval by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India. KASHISH is organized by Solaris Pictures. Co-organizer is The Humsafar Trust.