Documentary Films
| Movie |
: |
Mr. India |
| Duration |
: |
47 Minutes |
| Genre |
: |
Social & Biography |
| Language |
: |
Manipuri (With EST) |
| Subtitles |
: |
English |
| Rights Available |
: |
World Rights |
| Synopsis |
| Movie |
: |
Shillong Chamber Choir |
| Duration |
: |
26 minutes |
| Genre |
: |
Social & Arts |
| Language |
: |
|
| Subtitles |
: |
|
| Rights Available |
: |
World Rights |
| Synopsis | Trailor |
Synopsis
SWEN is an abbreviation for four directions, South West East North. It's a story of four women from four parts of India. Little they know that their lives would be connected together in a way one could ever expect, the connecting link being a man, Abhay.
'Abhay', a photojournalist from Mumbai, young, adventurous, haunted by past, his journey of lifetime has just started
'Sally', a filmmaker's wife, archaeologist by profession, charming, ready to explore new places and new relations; she is from Kerala (South) representing oceans
'Sana', a Buddhist Monk, unmatched beauty, not very ambitious but realistic, searching for her mission in life; she is from Laddakh (North) representing mountains
'Afia', a teacher cum social activist, simple but determined in nature, ambitious; she is from Assam (East) representing forests
'Riya', a student cum model, uncompromising but shy from taking responsibilities, stylish; she is from Gujarat (West) representing deserts
As story travels from deep oceans to dense forests to high mountains to bare deserts, we are introduced to all the characters, their ambitions, dreams, fantasies and secrets. A journey involving sex kingpins, naxalites, mysterious monks, corrupt millionaires and a lost ancient diamond.
Directors Biography
Ajitesh Sharma
- Visible Bra Straps Short (30 Min.) HD 2010
Selected: Director's Lounge, Berlin 2011 | India International Film Festival, Florida 2011 | Riverside International Film Festival 2011 | Still in Fest Circuit as of Mar 2011
IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1763332/
- Once Again Feature (97 Min.) DV 2008
Nominated: EI Sawy International Film Festival of Egypt 2009, International Film Festival of Ireland 2009, International Film Festival of South Africa 2009, International Youth Film Festival 2009
Won: Golden Palm Award for Best Feature at Mexico International Film Festival of 2009
IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1347074/
Curator of Global Cinema Festival 2009
Organized by Film Federation of India (FFI) in collaboration with Government of Madhya Pradesh. Curetted 260 films from more than 57 countries.
www.gcfest.com
(FFI – India's Apex Body of Film Business Professionals)
Senior Manager, Reliance Big Pictures [2008-09]
Major Assignments – Handled slate of 9 World Cinema Films targeted to international film festivals.
http://www.reliancebigpictures.com/
(Reliance - India's Biggest Motion Picture Studio)
Previous Experience: Scientist, Indian Space research Organization
Qualification: MBA (Indian School of Business - Hyderabad) | MTech. | BE
Synopsis
This is a full length documentary feature on the most significant music band from India. Based in Delhi, this band has been around for 16 years doing pathbreaking, timeless work outside the mainstream, quietly, with great integrity.
In its essence, Leaving Home is the story of four men who make music together as Indian Ocean in a contemporary India where commercial concerns are overriding. Their inspirational story of how they kept the creative fires burning without compromising their essential vision is told with the same energy and lightness of touch their unique music is imbued with. Their music is showcased in three different ways – in concert with all their stage finery, a casual performance in their own neighborhood, and raw improvisations from inside their rehearsal room.
Directors Biography
Jaideep Varma is a published novelist (Local, 2005) and a former music columnist. Besides writing for some prominent publications, he also founded the cricket website HoldingWilley where he has created and co-developed the Impact Index. He has written and directed a Hindi feature film Hulla (released in India by Adlabs in September 2008). He is based in Mumbai. Leaving Home is his first non-fiction feature film.
In the press
Leaving Home encapsulates the entire journey of an artist—from struggle to success—and salutes a credo that celebrates creativity and nothing else. The film paints powerful character sketches in bold strokes of what it means to be an artist in commercially art-unfriendly and competitive India.
- The Times of India
This is not just a story of those boys and their music, it’s a tale of our times (Delhi, and India, of the eighties and nineties transiting into the new millennium) and our music. The film not only gives us a close and intimate glimpse into the professional workings of a band, it also shows us the people who live and breathe their music, and their personal journeys, so different from each other, yet streaming into the life of the band
- Indian Express
Leaving Home reaches out of the screen and touches you because it is about four guys and the remarkable music they created, in spite of the fact that recording companies didn't back them in their early struggling days. This is the story of an extraordinary band and we recommend you watch it because it's a story that makes us proud.
- CNN IBN
How a motley group of middle-class Indians, without formal training in music, got together, jammed and created music that is different from anything anyone has heard in the world before, and stood solid like a monolith despite the disappointments when hundreds of other bands came together and crumbled all around them—the documentary answers most of these and other questions, about life, survival and India.
- IANS
Leaving Home documents a phenomenon rare to popular Indian performing arts; certainly rare to Indian music. An inspirational music documentary.
- Hindustan Times
An affectionate celebration of four passionate men, their abiding love for music and how they came together to form the influential band Indian Ocean
- Outlook
Oral history and compelling narrative all rolled in one, backed by the band’s best music.
- The Economic Times
A fitting and cathartic tribute to one of the most prolific and original Indian bands of all time. A fine piece of filmmaking which is funny, poignant, inspiring and uplifting — often at the same time.
- Mumbai Mirror
Testimonials
***1/2 “Scintillating. Go for it.”
- The Times of India
**** “…brilliant film…”
- Indian Express
**** “A fitting and cathartic tribute to one of the most prolific and original Indian bands of all time.”
- Mumbai Mirror
***1/2 “Leaving Home touches you…”
- CNN IBN
**** “India's greatest music band deserves this great film”
- IANS
**** “All of it is fascinating.”
- Rediff.com
***** “Pure inspiration.”
- Radioandmusic.com
*** “An inspirational music documentary…”
- Hindustan Times
**** “a fine piece of filmmaking which is funny, poignant, inspiring and uplifting — often at the same time.”
- Mumbai Mirror
*** “…an affectionate celebration of four passionate men.”
- Outlook
“…deeply moving.”
- Mint
“…oral history and compelling narrative all rolled in one, backed by the band’s best music.”
- The Economic Times
“…nothing less than a miracle.”
- Crest, The Times of India
“…not just an honest biopic but a telling take on the music industry.”
- The Hindu
“…highly recommended.”
- Live Mint
Synopsis
When faced with a problem, Indians resort to ‘Jugaad’. A euphemism for quick thinking and innovation, this term is a metaphor for the will to survive against all odds. In a developing country like India, Jugaad stands for numerous things - a makeshift vehicle that runs without a license, the spirit of innovation in businesses, political fixers and the will to survive on the streets. Traversing the bylanes of India’s cities and villages, the filmmaker pays a tribute to native genius and lateral thinking that make the have-nots in India do more than survive - thrive.
Yet, there is also a flip side to it that breeds corruption and sustains inequalities extant in society. While chronicling these various shades, the film contemplates if Jugaad is a civilizational trait unique to Indians.
Directors Biography
Director's bio-note Anandana Kapur is an award winning filmmaker and her work has been showcased at various international and national festivals. She has lent her voice to over 22 films till date and her experience in Communications Training spans 9 years. As Visiting Faculty at AJKMCRC, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi she teaches Communication Theory and Research Evaluation to post-graduate students. She also lectures exchange students from the US and Canada on Indian Cinema and Representation of Women. Her published work is on Culture, Communication and Media studies and her interests include poetry, art and inclusive design.
Synopsis
The film is a series of impressions about a choir, in the remote North-East state of India, as they prepare for a concert.
The film follows Neil Nongkynrih, a concert pianist, as he struggles to find a balance between his music and purpose of his life; to look after under-privileged children.
The film is about his effort to create and maintain his little home school, an ideal world where he and his wards can live, practice music and pray together. A world where music is only a means to achieve the bigger end.
Synopsis
For many HIV positive persons life crawls towards a slow end after knowing about the disease. But for Manipur born Mr. Khundrakpam Pradip Kumar Singh his "actual life started" in March 2000 when he learnt that he was infected with the deadly virus.
"I was too young when I committed the mistake of taking drugs and sharing a syringe. But should you let one mistake spoil your entire life? I didn’t want to," says Pradip.
Defying doctors who had warned him against the rigors of body building, Pradip joined a gymnasium. Nine years down the line, Kh. Pradip Kumar has several achievements to his credit, including the 'Mr. Manipur' title in 2007. His next mission is the ‘Mr. India’ title. This is a story about a man who is an inspiration for thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS in his home state of Manipur.
"If you have a strong will, nothing is impossible in this world. Death is inevitable, but until it comes, I have decided to live my life positively, no matter what," says Pradip.
Synopsis
The documentary is about the making of the movie "Malegaon ka Superman'. Its a fascinating story of a motley crew of Malegaons for whom their filmmaking is a labor of love and not an enterprise in commercial interests. Juxtaposing the frenzied production activities against a stark socio-economic backdrop of Malegaon, the documentary reveals the cathartic and spellbinding importance of the 'magic of movies' on the people.
Winning Story from THE ASIAN PITCH – a MediaCorp-NHK collaboration
Directors Biography
Faiza Ahmed Khan (Director), Faiza graduated from a course in Social Communications Media in 2002 after which she worked as a Production Executive in an Ad-film company. In 2004, she left to do freelance work, including some short documentaries. A year later, she worked with critically-acclaimed director Manish Jha as a Chief Assistant Director on his feature film, 'Anwar'. In early 2007 she came across the Supermen of Malegaon and by October that year, they became the subject of her first full-length documentary film.
Testimonials
Best Documentary
Bollywood and Beyond Film Festival, Stuttgart, Germany
"...an intelligent narration that brings together many stories."
- Indo Asian News Service
"…ends up capturing the essence of the Indian entrepreneurial spirit."
-Tehelka Magazine
"… shows our culture with a rare dramatic ingenuity"
- Times of India
Synopsis
54 Indian soldiers were taken as Prisoners of War during the Indo-Pak war of 1971 are yet to return home. While waiting for them, some of the parents died, some of the wives remarried and some children lost hope and committed suicide. But the real ordeal has been for those who did not give up. For them life has become a tight rope walking between hope and despair. The film is a saga of these families’ struggle, spanning three generations, to get their men back. It records a tragic stalemate, sufferings of love and shining moments of humanity, courage and hope.
Testimonials
"A strong touching film about hope and love and individuals who are trapped in an ongoing conflict between Governments" Dox
"The film is rare blend of research, emotion, commitment and honesty not easily witnessed even within the documentary format. It widens the canvas of the film from a simple wait-and-search saga to a tragedy of the last century” Screen
