A weeklong feast for cinegoers

By Lakshmi Balakrishnan

NEW DELHI, AUG. 18. Cinemagoers in the Capital can look forward to an unusual festival this week that promises to unfold Asian silver screen magic. It might still be a baby compared to a host of national and international film festivals that are held here from time to time, but this baby is certainly growing with each passing year.

From screening just 20-odd films at a single centre three years ago to showing 50 Asian films at three centres now and hosting the world premiere of a Bollywood multistarrer, the Cinemaya Festival of Asian Cinema (CINEFAN) sure has come a long way.

Being presented by the Network for Promotion of Asian Cinema, the festival has this time roped in corporate sponsors. So, even if people prefer sipping colas while watching films, it will be tea time all day long at the Tata Tea CINEFAN.

This year the festival also has a competitive edge, with a five- member international jury picking up the best Asian film in the competition segment. One of the main attractions of the festival, however, will be the world premiere of Raj Kumar Santoshi's ``Lajja'' starring Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala, Mahima Chaudhury and Rekha which premieres at PVR Priya on August 29. Though the festival in years past had been closing with a commercial Indian film, this is the first time a Hindi film will be released at an Asian festival.

Another highlight of the festival is ``Mujhe Chaand Chahiye'', the first Pakistani film to be screened as part of the festival in three years.

``Our aim is to present Asian films that the world is talking about. It is more than just a window on films from the East. It is about good Asian cinema,'' says Ms. Aruna Vasudev, the festival director. An exhibition of stills from Asian films will also be held at Visual Art Gallery here this year.

Five different sections have been chosen to screen the various Asian films. The spotlight will be on Turkey as the ``Country in Focus''. Six films will be screened in this segment, with the opening film of the festival being Nuri Bilge Ceylan's ``Clouds of May''.

In the Indian camp, a laugh riot is promised. Five of the country's most loved comedies like ``Jaane Bhee Do Yaaron'', ``Katha Gaon Ganpatraoji'' and ``Andaz Apna Apna'' will be shown in this segment. The last film happens to be film-maker Raj Kumar Santoshi's only attempt at comedy. And considering it was a damp squib at the box office, its selection over other popular comedies now might raise a few eyebrows.

Another new segment added this year is ``West Looks East'', screening European films shot in Asia. The competition section, which is another feather Cinemaya has added to its cap, will have a dozen films pitted for the jury's award. The Indian entry for this segment is Goutam Ghose's much acclaimed ``Dekha''.

Judging the films will be the jury of Ms. Suchitra Veries from Sri Lanka, Ms.Nana Djorjadze from Georgia, Ms. Sharmila Tagore from India, and Ms.Pouran Derekshandeh and Mr. Philip Cheah from Singapore.

With over 20 delegates expected to fly in specially for the event from the participating countries, Cinemaya is promising cinemagoers an eventful week.

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