It’s back. It’s beckoning. Yes, Biffes, the calendar call for film aficionado to celebrate the cinemas of the world, has come calling yet again with its rich resplendent bouquet of bountiful films for film buffs to binge on. What better way to usher in the New Year, specially for the cineastes than soak in on a week-long sojourn with creme la creme of movies from global marquee savoured in the dark hours at the theatres.
When, in December 2007, it had bid adieu, Biffes — Bengalooru International Film Festival — pledged it would be an annual affair, better and bigger and bring the best of celluloid oeuvres from celebrated and acclaimed auteurs to Bengalooru’s own doorsteps. And, in redemption of that promise, Biffes, Suchitra Film Society’s signature showpiece and Bengalooru’s very own international film fest, brings to cinema conscious citizenry some of choicest curated cinemas from within and abroad. That celebrated Kannada film auteur Girish Kasarvalli as festival director has been the main pivot in picking up the pictures of choice should be singular testimony to the fare that gets to unspool before the ardent and thousands of avid audiences of moving images.
From films of world to ensemble entertaining Living Together compendium from France to Au Sud Du Cinema from Tunisia, Tajikistan and Cambodia, director restrospectives focusing on Japan’s Mizoguche Kenji, Spain’s Julio Medem, Sri Lanka’s Asoka Handagama and Serbia and Montenegro’s Emir Kusturica. From country focus on South Africa to homages to Sweden’s Ingmar Bergman, Italy’s Michelangelo Antonioni, Senegal’s Ousman Sebene, Hungary’s Istvan Gaal, early classics to modern classics, documentaries to Indian Panorama under Chitrabharathi Banner, Biffes promises heady times for cinephiles at the Vision Cinema Complex on 110 K H (Double) Road opposite BMTC & Big Bazaar, Bangalore — 560027. Yes, with over 125 of best contemporary and past classic films, ranging from purely aesthetic to maudlin melodramas, thrillers to comedies, docu-dramas, curated and culled from as many as over 25 countries from across the globe including India.
Each reflecting specific culture of the country of their origin and individual styles and genres of film-making and approach to cinema, suiting every possible discerning cinegoer’s palate are on showcase that present an even balance between classics and contemporaries, national and international, why the good, the better and the best.
Look out for Germany’s Emma Bliss & The Lives of Others, Servia’s Belle Epoque, Canada’s A Sunday in Kigali, Italy’s The Lark Farm, Taiwan’s The Wall, Finland’s Ambus, Japan’s Osaka Elegy, Women of Romour, Sansho the Bailiff, Love My Life, and Ugetsu, Finland’s Mystery of the Wolf. On Indian menu are Shyam Prasad’s Ore Kadal, Adoor’s Naalu Pennungal, B S Lingadevaru’s Kada Beladingalu, Ramdas Naidu’s Moggina Jade, and K Shivarudraiah’s Daatu, Mangesh Hadawale’s Manipuri film Yenning Amadi Likla ((Spring and Dew) and Sameer Hanchate’s Hindi film Gafla.
Indeed, it’s sure Cinema Paradiso time in Namma Bengalooru. Come join along and let’s all celebrate cinema and catch up with some of the best films on play come from film circuits across India and world over and be mesmerised by the magic of the movies. The festival will be held from January 3 to 10, 2008. For further details call 26711785 (Suchitra) / 41237714, 41237605 (Vision Cinemas) or log in to www.suchitra.org. Good will hunting and happy viewing folks.
