Category: Cinema

Donald Trump’s biographical film ‘The Apprentice’ to hit theaters before US election

Cinema, News August 30, 2024 indica

‘The Apprentice’, the controversial biographical drama film about young Donald Trump, the former US president and the 2024 Republican presidential nominee, will hit US and Canadian theaters in October, weeks before the presidential election on November 5, according to media reports.

The hot-button film has been acquired by Briarcliff Entertainment for a pre-election release on October 11, as well as an awards push, reported The Hollywood Reporter. Briarcliff Entertainment is an indie distributor based in Santa Monica, California.

Indian American actor Mindy Kaling tapped as host for Democratic National Convention in Chicago

News, Cinema, Culture, STATE OF THE ART August 18, 2024August 20, 2024 indica

As the Democratic National Convention (DNC) is set to kick off in Chicago on Monday, August 19, several prominent figures, including Indian American actor Mindy Kaling, actor Kerry Washington, Nicaraguan-American strategist and commentator Ana Navarro, and actor-singer Tony Goldwyn, have been confirmed as hosts for the convention, The Hill reported, citing officials.

According to organizers who spoke with The Hill on Sunday, August 18, each celebrity will host one night of the four-day DNC in Chicago and help guide viewers through the programs both in the event hall and on television.

American pro-wrestler and actor John Cena talks about relishing Indian food at Ambani wedding

Cinema August 4, 2024 indica

John Cena, a 16-time World Champion in American pro-wrestling promotion WWE, and a Hollywood actor, in July 2024, visited India to attend the wedding ceremony of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. He was in Mumbai for a short time but did not miss any chance to explore Indian culture, especially through ‘desi’ food.

Speaking with ANI over a Zoom video call, Cena recalled treating his taste buds to Indian cuisine at the Ambani wedding. He added a touch of humor to it by saying how he needs to work on his spice tolerance.

Girls Will Be Girls, Last Days Of Summer win top honors at IFFLA 2024

Cinema, News July 1, 2024July 1, 2024 indica

The 22nd Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) has announced the winners of their annual jury and audience awards for 2024. Film winners were announced at the gala Closing Night awards ceremony at the Writers Guild Theater on June 30, 2024. The Pitch Competition was announced at the inaugural IFFLA Industry Day at Landmark Theatre Sunset on June 28, 2024, in Los Angeles, CA.

“This year’s edition of IFFLA marked an exciting moment of growth for us, with new locations in the heart of Los Angeles, while continuing to serve as a key hub for South Asian filmmakers to gather and celebrate the powerful storytelling and achievements of this vibrant community,” said IFFLA Executive Director Christina Marouda. “Our audiences enthusiastically welcomed an incredible lineup of films, resulting in record-breaking attendance. We also introduced IFFLA Industry Day, which offered an invaluable opportunity for remarkably talented filmmakers to be educated, inspired, and to engage in meaningful conversations with industry leaders.”

South Africa confers Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award on Indian film-maker Vinod Ganatra

News, Cinema June 18, 2024June 18, 2024 indica

Acclaimed film-maker Vinod Ganatra has become the first Indian to be conferred the prestigious ‘Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award’ by South Africa for his contribution to films, an official said here Monday, June 17.

Ganatra, a well-known film-maker and editor from Gujarat, who is now based in Mumbai, was honoured with the coveted award at the ongoing 7th Nelson Mandela Children’s Film Festival, for his immense contributions to the world of cinema for kids.

Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles merges with India Center Foundation to promote visual storytelling

Culture, Art, Cinema, STATE OF THE ART January 18, 2024January 18, 2024 indica

The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) announced its merger with the India Center Foundation (ICF) to promote visual storytelling on topics connected to the South Asian community. IFFLA and ICF aim to incubate and launch an industry development program to showcase the next generation of South Asian talent to studios, funders, and media executives. IFFLA’s 22nd film festival will be held on June 27-30, 2024.

Hollywood star Catherine Zeta-Jones says her kids grew up watching Shah Rukh Khan movies

Cinema, Culture, News November 29, 2023November 29, 2023 indica

Hollywood star Catherine Zeta-Jones expressed her love for Indian movies and shared that her children grew up watching films like Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Om Shanti Om’. Talking to the media at the International Film Festival of India in Goa, she said, “I love the country and the people so very much. My children grew up watching ‘Om Shanti Om’.”

Malayalam film on Kerala floods ‘2018’ selected as India’s official Oscar entry for 2024

Culture, Cinema, STATE OF THE ART September 29, 2023September 29, 2023 indica

The Malayalam film ‘2018’, based on the rains and flood that hit Kerala has been selected as India’s official entry for Oscar 2024. The film, a survival drama – 2018: Everyone is a Hero – has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 96th Academy Awards, making it only the fourth film from the language to be selected for this category.

Here is to the deftly accomplished Sanjeev Kumar

Culture, Art, Cinema, Culture, Spotlight, STATE OF THE ART July 9, 2023July 9, 2023 indica

Sanjeev Kumar, one of India’s most deftly accomplished actors, would have turned 85 today. By the time he died in November 1985 at 47, he was already regarded as a truly major figure of Hindi cinema whose range as an artist was remarkable. Perhaps unlike any other actor of his generation Kumar, who was born Harihar Jhariwala, exuded a lightness of touch and beguiling lack of effort in his performances.

Your Love, a Punjabi short film to be screened in Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ festival

Culture, Cinema, News, STATE OF THE ART July 8, 2023July 8, 2023 indica

Your Love, a four-minute cinematic love letter to the Queer South Asian elders and their forgotten and unfinished love stories queer, non-binary, written and directed by Canadian-Indian actor Sundeep Morrison has secured a coveted spot at Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Festival, the largest, most prestigious queer film festival in the world scheduled to be held on Friday, July 21, 2023, as part of its popular shorts programming.

Celebrating the genius of Satyajit Ray through one film

Culture, Cinema, Culture, STATE OF THE ART May 2, 2023May 3, 2023 indica

To watch any Satyajit Ray movie is to watch his meticulous attention to detail. To watch his 1963 classic Mahanagar on his 102nd birth anniversary today is no different.

There is a way to describe my engagement with Ray films. Both in my mother tongue Gujarati and the language I naturally slip into, Hindi, there is an expression for my condition. मुझे सत्यजीत रे की लत पड़ी है. एक तरह से बीमारी है जिसका सिर्फ एक ही इलाज है. उनकी फ़िल्में देखना. (I am addicted to Satyajit Ray. The only cure to that addiction is to watch his films.)

Rise, Roar, Revolt and Walk Away

Spotlight, Art, Cinema, Culture, Design, Partha Chakraborty, STATE OF THE ART March 18, 2023March 18, 2023 indica

We have seen “RRR (Rise, Roar, Revolt)” – all three hours and seven minutes of it – in a single Netflix binge last year. Previously we were told about the outlandish special effects, and a dance tune that everybody was raving about. We were ready for, maybe, ten minutes of a quick browse before moving on. Lo and behold, we were at the end and did not realize where these hours went.

“I am Shashi Kapoor. I am an actor.”

Culture, Cinema, Culture, STATE OF THE ART March 18, 2023March 18, 2023 indica

Cutting a dashing figure in a three-piece pinstripe suit Shashi Kapoor stood in the large porch of a famous bungalow in Bombay’s Juhu area. His right hand was in the pocket of his pleated trousers and left dangling from a lower pocket of his fully buttoned-up vest. The only detail missing was a retinue of obsequious servants. In the city’s polyester humidity Kapoor did not seem to be breaking into a sweat.