Leh: With Iranian, Korean and several competent Indian films being pitted against each other at Ladakh International Film Festival, which concluded recently, one was both surprised and happy to watch 'Kaafiron Ki Namaaz' by young Mumbai-based Bhargav Saikai and Sharma sweep top awards.
Directed by Ram Ramesh Sharma, 'Kaafiron Ki Namaaz (The Virgin Arguments)' is an independent feature film and was lauded by LIFF jury head Govind Nihalani. It is a thriller that revolves around the story of three men - an army officer who was court-martialed recently, a writer and his camera assistant. What begins as a dramatic discussion between the army officer and a writer, soon turns into a scary meeting raising some pertinent issues.
Bhargav Saikai and Sharma, who have produced the film, had dropped out of Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods International film institute to follow their passion. Yes, both didn't think much before quitting their course halfway to work on their film 'Kaafiron Ki Namaaz (The Virgin Arguments)'. And the fact that the film left many impressed, it was indeed a good decision.
There are two types of films - those that touch your heart, and also those that can't. In the case of 'Kaafiron Ki Namaaz', it did because in this dialogue that happens between two men -a solider and a writer - we find all aspects of own life being reflected. Whether it is love or death every bit is covered, and you slowly understand that these two men aren't talking about themselves, but 'you' which is great. I think it is a difficult film, and can even test your patience. It is after the initial 20-30 minutes that the film begins to catch your attention. But the overall impact is very strong," said film critic Klaus Eder, general secretary of International Federation of Film Critics.
Besides 'Kaafiron Ki Namaaz (The Virgin Arguments)', Iranian film 'Wet Letters' also managed to bag three awards for Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Director categories.
The closing ceremony which kicked off with the special screening of Hollywood film "Transformers: Age Of Extinction" for army men, was hosted by Shilpa Shukla. But the absence of prominent celebrities who had been a part of the festival left many confused.
While filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra had attended the screening of wife PS Bharathi's 'Rubaro' and Amole Gupte was spotted at the fish planting session that happened earlier in the day, they couldn't make it to the closing ceremony. And festival director Melwyn Williams who spoke to us about the importance of the film festival caught everyone's attention by his nonattendance.
Govind Nihalani, who headed LIFF jury, too left on the festival's second day. According to a source, many celebrities decided to skip the closing ceremony because unlike its first two editions, the festival this year was dull. Among those present at the ceremony were Deepti Naval, Rajit Kapur, and Shaji N. Karun.
Comments
0 comment