INDIAN PANORAMA AT KASHISH 2016 WILL SHOWCASE 27 FILMS
This year KASHISH will screen the highest number of Indian films – of the 182 films from 53 countries, 27 are Indian films. These are in Indian languages, including Marathi, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and Telgugu.
“We are delighted that the quality of filmmaking around LGBTQ issues in India has gathered quite a lot of momentum in the recent years. This year we received more than 60 Indian film submissions, out of which we are screening 27 films, which has been shortlisted both for their narrative strength as well as their technical finesse. Four of them are co-productions and two of them are national Award winners. So it is a good time for Indian LGBTQ cinema”, said Sridhar Rangayan, festival director.
Some not-to-be-missed films are:
ALIGARH
(2015) 114 min / Narrative Feature INDIA
Dir: Hansal Mehta
A true story of Dr. Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, who was suspended from his job because of his sexual orientation. He was ostracized by the society at large and subjected to physical and psychological torture. Rookie journalist Dipu Sebastian is the man who sees him for what he really is. Aligarh is their journey.
I AM NOT HE, SHE… (Original Title: Nanu Avanalla Avalu)
(2015) 115 min / Narrative Feature INDIA Dir: B.S. Lingadevaru
Madesha is a boy who cherishes basic feminine characteristics. As he grows up, his wish to become a female grows stronger. Eventually, he gets acquainted with the appalling lives of trangenders, along with their conventions. He discovers that a transgender person is not accepted in the society and is forced to make a living either by begging, or as a prostitute. Madesha transforms into Vidya who has to discover her own identity and fight against all odds to lead a dignified life.
THE THRESHOLD (Original Title: Daaravtha)
(2015) 30 min / Narrative Short INDIA
Dir: Nishant Roy Bombarde
An adolescent Pankaj is discovering his sexuality. Torn between a patriarchal Indian upbringing full of gender-stereotypes and his natural urge to identify with the opposite gender, he finds an opportunity to express his desires within the bounds of cultural ethos.
ANY OTHER DAY
(2015) 12 min / Narrative Short INDIA
Dirs: Srikant Ananthkrishnan, Vikrant Dhote
It’s just another day in Kabir and Arnav’s life. But in the name of safety, two police officers take it upon themselves to create a spectacle of the young men’s private and intimate relationship.
WHERE THE BLUE LOTUS BLOOMS…
(2015) 24.25 min / Documentary Short INDIA
Dirs: Anand Gautam, Geetha K Wilson, Radhika Agarwal, Saurabh Kumar & Shreya Katyayini
A Home is not merely a physical space; it is a space of belonging- a space of acceptance and dignity. Where the blue lotus blooms is a film made at home with four Transgenders- Joanna, Pradipta, Sree and Urmi, who are from various social and physical spaces in Mumbai. Cutting through the identity of being a transgender in a world dominated by the cisgenders ( the so called ‘normal’ people) along with the social prejudices that come with it, they speak to each other about how they negotiate the space they call home.
