In the Mood for Movies

For its 14th edition, the Mumbai Film Festival finds a new venue, packs over 200 movies and multiple international packages in its schedule, and several interesting activities such as masterclasses and panel discussions. With a day to go before the festival begins, Talk picks its highlights

Starting Point

This year's opening film at the Mumbai Film Festival, Silver Linings Playbook, showcases yet another Bollywood actor's international foray. Adapted from Matthew Quick's novel of the same name, this David O Russell film features Anupam Kher along with Hollywood actors Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro. This is the Asia premiere of the movie, which was first shown at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. Kher says, "As an actor, it is a dream-come-true to be part of this brilliant and heart-warming film."

Silence is Golden

Keeping in mind the 100th year of Indian cinema, the festival offers a package of restored silent movies. The screening of classics such as Kaliya Mardan, Raja Harishchandra, Marthand Varma, Sati Savitri, Jamai Babu and Galliant Heart will provide a rare treat to those who want to study the growth of cinema. The major attraction in this category will be the screening of Throw of Dice, a silent film by German director Franz Osten. The film was written by Niranjan Pal, who is considered to be the first Indian to find international recognition. The movie will be screened with live orchestra accompaniment by Orchestra Tuten and Blasen, Hamburg. Icing on the cake will be the festival's closing film, Blancanieves, Pablo Berger's silent film based on the fairy tale Snow Queen.

World View

FOR the second consecutive year, the festival will screen the best of contemporary French cinema as part of the "Rendez-vous with French Cinema" section. The festival will also provide a window to cinema from different parts of the globe through its Italian and Afghan sections, which will screen 30 and eight movies respectively. A special segment will trace the history of Italian cinema. Another called "Kabul Fresh" will focus on new voices in Afghan cinema who are contributing to the film movement in that country. A highly recommended segment is the one of restored classics with 17 movies.

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