1. Lipstick Under My Burkha
Early this year, while Alankrita Shrivastava’s Lipstick Under My Burkha was banned in India, it won several awards at film festivals abroad. In the latest string of developments, however, the film has been ‘cleared with A certificate after Film Certification Appellate Tribunal’s (FCAT) directions to CBFC and will release soon in India. Starring Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah, Aahana Kumra, Plabita Borthakur, Lipstick Under My Burkha opens the New York Indian Film Festival on April 30, 2017, at 6 pm.
Honours:
The Spirit of the Asia Award (Tokyo International Film Festival)
Oxfam Award for Best Film on Gender Equality (Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star)
Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film (Festival International de Films de Femmes)
Audience Award at the Glasgow Film Festival 2017
2. Mukti Bhavan
Faced with his father’s untimely and bizarre demand to go and die in the holy city of Varanasi and attain salvation, a son is left with no choice but to embark on this journey. Opening to rave reviews, Mukti Bhavan received a 10-minute standing ovation at the Venice Int’l Film Festival 2016. The film screens May 6, 6 pm at the NYIFF 2017.
Honours:
XXlIIrd PRIX “ENRICO FULCHIGNONI” Award (Venice Film Festival)
Critics Choice Award at Vesoul International Film Festival (France)
Special Mention/Jury Award Shubhashish Bhuitiani, for film and actor Adil Hussain (National Awards)
3. Kaasav (Marathi)
A social drama around the theme of depression, Kaasav was announced the Best Feature Film at the 64th National Film Awards early this month. Directed by Sumitra Bhave & Sunil Sukthankar, Kaasav is screening on May 6, 3 PM at Theater 2, Village East, NYC.
3. A Death in the Gunj
Konkona Sen Sharma’s directorial debut premiered at the Mumbai Film Festival last year to a tremendous response. The psychological thriller won Konkana the Best India Female Filmmaker 2016 Award at the fest. A Death in the Gunj plays on May 2, 6 pm at the New York Festival.
4. The Narrow Path (Malayalam)
Akhil is torn between the love of her life Nina and his crippled father. The indie drama explores the journey of father-son relationship, from hatred to acceptance. It also explores the journey of the characters discovering themselves along the way. The film plays at NYIFF on May 1, 6.30 pm.
Honours:
Silver Gateway for Second Best Film (Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star)
Second Best Prize (Kerala State Film Awards)
5. Colours of Innocence (Bengali)
Sahaj Paather Gappo depicts the story of two brothers, Chhotu and Gopal from a poor family of a Bengal village. Nur Islam and Samiul Alam won the Best Child Artists at the National Film Awards this year. The film screens on May 5, 6.15 pm at the festival.
Honours:
Silver Lotus for Best Child Actors (National Awards, 2017)
6. Aaba
Set in a remote village of Arunachal Pradesh, Aaba is a tale of the bond between a grandfather and granddaughter. Amar Kaushik’s directorial debut won Best Short Film award at the prestigious Berlin Film Fest this year. It’s scheduled for screening on May 5, 9:15 pm at the NY Film Festival.
Honours:
Silver Lotus, Best Short Film (National Awards, 2017)
Special Prize of Generation KPlus International Jury for Best Short Film (Berlinale)
Colors of Innocence, A Death in the Gunj, Mukti Bhavan, The Narrow Path and Kaasav are in the running to win the Best Film at the New York Indian Film Festival 2017.
Check out our full coverage on NYIFF 2017 here.
