Bengali talent set to take London by storm

Film lovers in London are in for a treat this summer as Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival returns for its 6th year from 16 - 23 July. The festival is pleased to announce that the Bagri Foundation, a charity whose aims include the advancement of literacy, education and the arts, with an emphasis on those of India, and the appreciation and understanding of Asian cultures, is on board as the Title Sponsor. With some of the most prestigious and thought-provoking new independent films from the Indian sub-continent, the festival is now in its 6th edition and firmly established as Europe’s largest showcase for South Asian cinema. 

Considering the growing popularity of Indian cinema this year, the dynamic festival is also expanding to UK’s second largest city Birmingham. From hard hitting documentaries to gritty Slumdog like dramas, the festival showcases a plethora of talent. This year’s festival will also feature some of West Bengal’s most extraordinary talent. The prestigious British Film Institute who are one of the sponsors of the festival will play host to premiere two of the festival’s finest films – Konkona Sen Sharma starring Gour Hari Dastaan and Churni Ganguly’s directorial debut Nirbashito.

In attendance at the festival will be the versatile actress Konkona Sen Sharma who will present two of her films – Sari Raat, based on renowned playwright Badal Sarkar’s eponymous work directed by acclaimed film maker Aparna Sen. In her debut Hindi film Aparna Sen adeptly uses light, shadow and sound to create a mysterious world in which Konkona plays yet another interesting character, supported by Anjan Dutta and Ritwik Chakraborty. Konkona will also be seen in Anant Mahadevan’s Gour Hari Dastaan, a true life drama about one of the last remaining Gandhian freedom fighters. There are some sparkling performances by an ensemble cast including Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey and Tannishtha Chatterjee. The festival will also be the UK Premiere of Bengali actor/director Churni Ganguly’s debut film Nirbashito, a powerful story exploring a writer’s forced exile from Bengal. The film also features Saswata Chatterjee and actress Raima Sen in a guest appearance. Churni, whose directorial debut won the Best Bengali film award at the 62nd National Film Awards will be present in London during the festival to talk about the film. The festival is also proud to include Bengali director Aditya Vikram Sengupta’s debut feature film Asha Jaoar Majhe (Labour of Love), recipient of Best Debut Director 2014 at the 71st Venice International Film Festival. The film starring Ritwick Chakraborty and Basabdatta Chatterjee is a cinematically sublime, must-see debut that evokes the legacies of Bengali masters like Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak.

Umrika, directed by Prashant Nair and winner of the Audience Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, starring Suraj Sharma (Life of Pi) and Tony Revolori (The Grand Budapest Hotel), will be the opening night gala of The Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival (July 16-23). Cricket lovers in India will be thrilled to know, the festival will close with a hard hitting cricket documentary Death of a Gentleman, featuring Ravi Shastri, Kevin Pieterson, Lalit Modi, N Srinivasan and Giles Clarke. Director Sam Collins said: “Death of a Gentleman has been four years in the making, and we are hugely excited to be chosen as the closing film at the 2015 LIFF. This is a very human story about passion, money and power, and we hope to make a persuasive case to cricket fans and non cricket fans alike that the greatest game in the world needs to change its ways.”

Other programme highlights include: a rare Screen Talk by one of India’s most acclaimed mainstream film makers Tamilian giant Mani Ratnam, Berlinale winner Dhanak directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, Venice winner Court, Toronto doc. Monsoon. 

UK premieres continue with Slumdog-like The Crows Egg and the much awaited 31st October starring Soha Ali Khan. Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala will also be in attendance to support a charity event for the Nepal Earthquake. The festival also includes the coveted Satyajit Ray Short Film 

Competition & Award, supported by the Bagri Foundation.