Films which are most interesting are those from "outside of the US", one cine buff at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) pointed out succinctly - a reflection of the growing interest in films from outside Hollywood.
It was a crowded audience that sat to watch the Argentina-Brazil-Chile-Peru-US co-production "The Motorcycle Dairies".
Directed by the Rio de Janeiro-born Walter Salles, this film is based on the written words of the revolutionary Che Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado.
It covers a motorcycle-based road trip the two young men undertook across South America, when young and hungry for life. Amidst scenic larger-than-life backdrops of the colourful South American countryside, it also tells the story of poverty and injustice that plagued much of the world then, and still does for many in the so-called developing world.
It is sure to touch a chord for audiences in our part of the globe.
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"Shwaas" producer gets a cheque
Sandeep Sawant's Marathi film "Shwaas" (A Breath) is a film about an elderly villager who brings his seven-year-old grandson Parshuram to the city, only to find he will have to have both the child's eyes removed to save him from tumour of the retina.
In October, reports from Mumbai spoke about how the movie's eight producers - mostly debutants - were caught without the wherewithal to carry on with an Oscar campaign for "Shwaas", after it was chosen as India's official entry.
At the 35th IFFI, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar handed over a cheque of Rs.2.1 million to producer Arun Nalavade as a donation to the Shwaas Foundation.
The donation is aimed at supporting and promoting the screening of the film, which has been nominated for the 77th Academy Award.
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24 hours to make a film!
IFFI's 35th edition at Goa has another challenge for those caught in the lure of the medium. It's a 24x7 Making Movies contest.
You've got to be below 24 years, and have 24 hours to make a film - conceive it, shoot it, edit it and show it. It could be a 24 seconds to 24 minutes length film. What's magical about the number 24? Don't ask...
"Twenty-four hours later your film must be ready for its world premier," says the announcement.
Filmmaker wannabes will get access to hi-tech digital cameras and editing systems though.
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Hotels cashing in
Hotels are cashing in on the mood generated by the IFFI. For them, it's an early Christmas and New Year - the usual crowded season in Goa. Some have even announced special programmes.
Reads the ad for one: "Films, fun, food. Enjoy your favourite film on the giant screen at Miramar beach from your cosy beach-side restaurant, savouring the best of food and fun..."
For those who can't take part in the film festival, the Goa government has put up beachside makeshift screens, creating a new concept called 'beach theatre'. Locals, who haven't to pay anything to enter the open-air and wall-less theatres, are of course flocking in large numbers.
--Indo-Asian News Service