Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan attend the press conference at MAMI for the screening of Sangeeta Dutta`s directorial venture – ‘Life Goes on’

Mumbai, October 30, 2009: The 11th Mumbai Film Festival, organized by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) today acknowledged the presence of Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan who play a pivotal part in the movie ‘Life Goes On’ , scripted and directed by Sangeeta Dutta which was screened under the section ‘Indian Frames’ at Fun Republic. MFF is a Reliance Big Entertainment initiative and has the distinction of being the only international film festival in India to be organized by an independent body of practicing film professionals. 

Addressing the press at the conference Soha and Sharmila said, “It’s been a wonderful experience working together. Life Goes on is a very well written sensitive film.”

When asked whether they like working more in commercial or parallel cinema films Soha said, “Films are either good or bad, you cannot classify them as festival, non-festival, commercial or non-commercial films. I just want as many people to see my films,” and Sharmila said, “I have continuously worked in parallel cinema films and am extremely happy about it. I like working in both genres and am very comfortable.” 

Indian Frames, as the name indicates, presents a selection of 15 Indian films cinema made in one calendar year before the festival dates. This section is meant to be a show window for the best Indian films targeting the foreign delegates, Festival directors, sales agents and co-producers. The Festival plans to promote this section in a big way and help the film maker’s network with target group.

Sangeeta Dutta is a well known writer/director, independent filmmaker and cultural  commentator based in London.. Her film ‘Life Goes On’ is inspired by the old tale of King Lear and his daughters. It is trying to find meaning for Shakespeare’s King Lear in a contemporary multicultural British context. The drama explores the relations between a grief stricken father and his three daughters. Set in London, the time is now, the family of Indian origin- part of the UK diaspora. With his wife’s sudden death, Sanjay is suddenly thrown into close proximity with his three daughters. The drama unfolds over five days from the day when Manju dies to day of the funeral. What follows after that is a series of haunted memories, of grappling with devastating loss and his journey to come to terms with his life to better relation with his three daughters. The shadow of Shakespeare’s King Lear bears on this contemporary and free adaptation. It works functionally as a sub- text in the film as we see Sanjay and Dia within the contours of the mythical Lear and Cordelia.

The 11th Mumbai Film Festival, organized by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) held a grand opening on October 29th in the city at Fun Cinema, Andheri. It was a night to remember with the who’s who of World and Indian cinema gracing the event with their presence. Some key highlights were:

The 11th Mumbai Film Festival, organized by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) with the following key highlights:

• Inauguration by Chief Guest Information and Broadcasting Minister of India Mrs. Ambika Soni
• The Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Shashi Kapoor for his career spanning six decades
• Felicitation of Film-maker Yash Chopra by Mr. Benoit Ginisty, from the Federation Internationale des Associatons de producteurs de Films (FIAPF) for Outstanding Achievement in Film
• The MAMI committee led by Chairman Shyam Benegal and trustees Yash Chopra, Amit Khanna, Shabana Azmi, Amol Palekar played host to the evening. Present were jury members and other guests.
• The screening of ‘The Informant’ directed by Academy-Award Winning Mr. Steven Soderbergh staring Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale and Melanie Lynskey

The festival is divided in five sections, featuring the best & latest world cinema offering in the last 10 months. These include 13 Feature Films of first time Directors from across the world that will compete for the cash awards of US$ 150,000. Indian Frame will showcase the best 15 Indian films made during last one year. Reel Real will be dedicated to feature length documentary films. Above the cut will present 14 first feature films of extra ordinary cinematic merit. World Cinema section will showcase the most anticipated films from festivals all over the world.

Films in competition will be viewed on 8 screens at Fun Cinemas (Andheri), Metro BIG Cinemas (Marine Lines) & BIG Cinemas R City (Ghatkopar) and judged by MFF 2009 Jury Members including: renowned Hollywood screenwriter and director Mr. Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, American Gigolo), Sri Lankan film maker Vimukthi Jayasundar, Philippine filmmaker Mr. Brillante Mendoza, Indian filmmaker Mr. Shaji N. Karun and former Director of Locarno Film Festival Ms. Irene Bignardi.

This year MFF carries one of the richest cash awards for its International Competition for Directors who are Debuting Feature Films with a cash prize of US$ 100,000 (approx. Rs. 50, 00,000).  Additional awards include the Golden Gateway of India trophy for the Best Film, the Silver Gateway of India trophy and cash prize of USD $50,000 (approx. Rs. 25, 00,000) for the Jury Grand Prize. The best talent from these films will be awarded the Silver Gateway of India trophy and all films in this category are Indian premiers. Lastly, this year MAMI is introducing the Audience Choice Award [Silver Gateway of India trophy and cash prize of USD $20,000 (approx. Rs. 10, 00,000)].  Films from all sections except the retrospective and tributes are eligible.

Brand alliances for the festival include Audience Choice Award P7 News, BIG FM 92.7, Meghalaya Tourism, Print partner Bombay Times, bollywoodhungama.com, Bigoye.com, Bigflix.com, BIG Cinemas, Fun Cinemas, BIG Events, BIGAdda.com, Reliance MediaWorks, Kingfisher Premium, Block Dog, Reliance Tech Services, Reliance Broadband, Jet airways, Sun-N Sand Hotel, Carzonrent, Bright Outdoor.

About MAMI:

Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) is a body comprised of Indian film industry stalwarts which was founded in 1997 by late filmmaker Shri Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Noted filmmaker Shri Shyam Benegal heads the body that consists of film directors including: Yash Chopra, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Karan Johar, renowned actresses Shabana Azmi and Jaya Bachchan, actor-director Amol Palekar and Farhan Akhtar and the chairman of Reliance Big Entertainment Amit Khanna as Trustees.

For more information please log on to www.mumbaifilmfest.com