A cine experience at American Center

Reel World

Come and explore the lives of legendary international personalities on reel. American Center, in collaboration with Cinedarbaar, is hosting ‘Biopics - A Cine Experience.’

 This is a film festival celebrating the genre of ‘Biopics’ – filming, depicting and dramatising the lives of important personages from eras present and past. Six specially curated movies on personalities like Bob Dylan, Lenny Bruce and Jordan Belfort will be showcased.  

There is also the additional attraction of seeing some of the most prodigious American actors directed by the finest auteurs at the three-day film fest. 

The term ‘Biopics’ is derived from the combination of the words ‘biography’ and ‘pictures’, which gained popularity during the 1930s and is prominent to this day. Biopics have existed since the earliest days of silent cinema in films dedicated to great achievers beginning either from the childhood or highlighting the achievements during their life span. These films put an emphasis on events like war, political or social conditions surrounding the person’s entire life as they escalate to fame and glory.

Oscar winning movie Ed Wood by Tim Burton would mark the beginning of the film festival that depicts the life story of famous director-producer Edward Davis. The second day will witness movies like Lenny by Bob Fosse dedicated to stand-upcomedian Lenny Bruce followed by Auto Focus based on Hogan’s Heroes. The classic filmshow comes to an end with three popular biographies I’m not there by Todd Hayne, documenting the life of Bob Dylan, the famous musician; The Insider by Michael Mann on the true story of Jeffery Wigand; and The Wolf of Wall Street by Martin Scorsese on Jordan Belfort. The movie The Wolf of Wall Street portrays Jordan’s rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

The movie screening will be followed by interactive sessions about the genre ‘Biopic.’ Speakers Kumar Unnayan and Anugyan Nag will be sharing interesting notes with the audience. Anugyan, an independent filmmaker and currently a senior research doctoral fellow at the School of Arts and Aesthetics, JNU, will talk about the success of Bob Fosse and the man behind the movie Ed Wood. 

Unnayan, a postgraduate in English literature, is a keen theatre and cinema enthusiast. He aspires to walk the tight rope that connects cinema to literature, theatre to poetry and research to people. He will be talking about Bob Dylan – The man behind the iconic movie I’m not there and immense stardom and success gained byAuto Focus.

Come and explore the documentaries, take away fascinating knowledge about this genre and the icons portrayed. You can also win exciting prizes by answering fun quiz questions based on the movies. The entry to the festival is free and is open to general public. Please carry a valid photo ID. 

The festival is on from July 24–26 at the American Center Auditorium, 24, Kasturba Gandhi Marg.