Fwd: [vikalpmumscreenings] Afghan short films on Aug 23 - Please save the date
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Karishma Pais
Aug 3, 2013, 7:17:01 AM8/3/13
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From: The Vikalp Archive <vikalp....@gmail.com>
Dear friends,
This month, Vikalp@Alliance is hosting a special programme of short films
by young Afghan filmmakers. Please save the date Friday, August 23 and
spread the word wide. Hoping to see you all there.
VIKALP@ALLIANCE
presents
KABUL CLOSEUP
A selection of short films from Afghanistan
on Friday, August 23
at
Alliance Francaise de Bombay
Theosophy Hall
New Marine Lines
Near Churchgate, Mumbai
Among the many things that remain hidden about Afghanistan, despite the
saturation coverage and instant news appeal it receives, is the diversity
and ferment of its cinematic landscape. The films in this package are an
attempt to showcase some of this vibrant activity through a selection of
work by Afghan filmmakers. In treatment and content, these films represent
a nuanced way of looking at the country, as a counterpoint to the
monochrome ideas of conflict v/s ‘hope’, good v/s evil that dominate most
media representations of Afghanistan.
Many of the young directors working in the media today grew up away from
Afghanistan as part of the large refugee communities living abroad and
returned in the years after 2001 to a land that was both their own yet
unknown to them. In many ways, these films are both a negotiation with this
reality, as well as a way to claim their own voices in the Afghanistan of
today.
The themes and influences on these works are also wide ranging. Some of
them deal with the theme of 2014 and withdrawal of the NATO troops, others
are concerned with the dreams of children. What they all have in common is
their importance as both an insight into and record of this particular
moment of flux in Afghanistan. Each of the works shown here is a testament
to the commitment and passion of this generation of storytellers, who often
overcome massive odds to bring their stories to the world. This package is
an attempt to showcase their voices, and an attempt to talk about
Afghanistan in a language that is determined by Afghans.
The curator of the programme, Taran Khan, is a journalist and filmmaker
based in Mumbai. She has been travelling to Kabul since 2006 where she has
worked closely with Afghan media professionals and filmmakers. Taran will
present and discuss the films.
The screening is free and open to all. Please come, and spread the word.
ANGELS OF THE EARTH
Short Fiction/15 mins/2009
Director: Jalal Husaini
Two children in Kabul. One has lost his mother and dreams of flying. If he
can fly, he can go to his mother in heaven, leaving behind his father, a
shoemaker, who does not care about him. The other child wants a pair of
shoes. Their stories collide in this short film.
LITTLE AFGHANISTAN
Documentary/29mins/2011
Director: Basir Seerat
Vintage horse drawn carriages used as taxis mingle with heavy automobile
traffic down a very long street. The coachmen attempt to resist the
pressing urban planning desires of the riverbank inhabitants, a
modernization which would make them disappear.
SWAP
Short fiction/14 mins/2013
Dir: S. Masoud Islami
A family prepares to leave Afghanistan as 2014 looms. But the elder
daughter is unhappy with her marriage, and her husband must be dealt with.
THE LAST PRESIDENT
Short fiction/14 mins/2013
Dir: Jamil Jalla
Amir Ali’s father told him he could change the world. All of Afghanistan is
preparing for elections. This could be his chance to make a difference.
A LETTER TO LIGHT
Experimental/15mins/2010
Dir: Ghafar Azad
The story of Jamshid, a 13 year old boy, who is half blind since childhood.
After the diagnostics, doctors tell him that he will gradually become
totally blind. Nadia, a girl quite like an angel, is always with Jamshid.
She has normal eyes and can see. Nadia gets sad at times, when thinking of
Jamshid and his fate.
FAREWELL
Short fiction/3 mins/2012
Dir: Ali Hussein Husseini
A goodbye that isn’t.
On Friday, August 23
at Alliance Francaise de Bombay, Churchgate, Mumbai.
--
http://twitter.com/karishmapais
http://on.fb.me/Kims-Recipes-n-Reviews
Dear friends,
This month, Vikalp@Alliance is hosting a special programme of short films
by young Afghan filmmakers. Please save the date Friday, August 23 and
spread the word wide. Hoping to see you all there.
VIKALP@ALLIANCE
presents
KABUL CLOSEUP
A selection of short films from Afghanistan
on Friday, August 23
at
Alliance Francaise de Bombay
Theosophy Hall
New Marine Lines
Near Churchgate, Mumbai
Among the many things that remain hidden about Afghanistan, despite the
saturation coverage and instant news appeal it receives, is the diversity
and ferment of its cinematic landscape. The films in this package are an
attempt to showcase some of this vibrant activity through a selection of
work by Afghan filmmakers. In treatment and content, these films represent
a nuanced way of looking at the country, as a counterpoint to the
monochrome ideas of conflict v/s ‘hope’, good v/s evil that dominate most
media representations of Afghanistan.
Many of the young directors working in the media today grew up away from
Afghanistan as part of the large refugee communities living abroad and
returned in the years after 2001 to a land that was both their own yet
unknown to them. In many ways, these films are both a negotiation with this
reality, as well as a way to claim their own voices in the Afghanistan of
today.
The themes and influences on these works are also wide ranging. Some of
them deal with the theme of 2014 and withdrawal of the NATO troops, others
are concerned with the dreams of children. What they all have in common is
their importance as both an insight into and record of this particular
moment of flux in Afghanistan. Each of the works shown here is a testament
to the commitment and passion of this generation of storytellers, who often
overcome massive odds to bring their stories to the world. This package is
an attempt to showcase their voices, and an attempt to talk about
Afghanistan in a language that is determined by Afghans.
The curator of the programme, Taran Khan, is a journalist and filmmaker
based in Mumbai. She has been travelling to Kabul since 2006 where she has
worked closely with Afghan media professionals and filmmakers. Taran will
present and discuss the films.
The screening is free and open to all. Please come, and spread the word.
ANGELS OF THE EARTH
Short Fiction/15 mins/2009
Director: Jalal Husaini
Two children in Kabul. One has lost his mother and dreams of flying. If he
can fly, he can go to his mother in heaven, leaving behind his father, a
shoemaker, who does not care about him. The other child wants a pair of
shoes. Their stories collide in this short film.
LITTLE AFGHANISTAN
Documentary/29mins/2011
Director: Basir Seerat
Vintage horse drawn carriages used as taxis mingle with heavy automobile
traffic down a very long street. The coachmen attempt to resist the
pressing urban planning desires of the riverbank inhabitants, a
modernization which would make them disappear.
SWAP
Short fiction/14 mins/2013
Dir: S. Masoud Islami
A family prepares to leave Afghanistan as 2014 looms. But the elder
daughter is unhappy with her marriage, and her husband must be dealt with.
THE LAST PRESIDENT
Short fiction/14 mins/2013
Dir: Jamil Jalla
Amir Ali’s father told him he could change the world. All of Afghanistan is
preparing for elections. This could be his chance to make a difference.
A LETTER TO LIGHT
Experimental/15mins/2010
Dir: Ghafar Azad
The story of Jamshid, a 13 year old boy, who is half blind since childhood.
After the diagnostics, doctors tell him that he will gradually become
totally blind. Nadia, a girl quite like an angel, is always with Jamshid.
She has normal eyes and can see. Nadia gets sad at times, when thinking of
Jamshid and his fate.
FAREWELL
Short fiction/3 mins/2012
Dir: Ali Hussein Husseini
A goodbye that isn’t.
On Friday, August 23
at Alliance Francaise de Bombay, Churchgate, Mumbai.
http://twitter.com/karishmapais
http://on.fb.me/Kims-Recipes-n-Reviews
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