Latest news with #FIPRESCI
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Cannes 2025: Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound is a timely, trenchant testament to our times
Neeraj Ghaywan first came to Cannes in 2012, as part of a huge crew festooned with colourful gamchhas, for the premiere of the Anurag Kashyap's Gangs Of Wasseypur. In 2015, he was selected in Un Certain Regard for his debut feature, 'Masaan', which won the FIPRESCI prize. And now he's back in the same section with Homebound, a film as intensely personal, dealing with issues as crucial, or perhaps even more so in new India where the fissures between the privileged and the marginalised are deepening with every passing day. Starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, Janhvi Kapoor and a strong supporting cast, the film has been produced by Dharma, with Martin Scorsese finding a very honourable mention on the credit list. The genesis of the film tells us how current 'events' can become not just the superstructure of the film, but also part of its texture. In 2020, the New York Times published staff writer Basharat Peer's lengthy investigation pieced from a photograph which began being shared on social media platforms during an early Covid lockdown. No one knew who took the picture; without saying a word, it told a stark story: on a highway, there sat two young men, one cradling the other in his arms, trying to revive him. It was a time when migrant workers were forced to walk thousands of miles to get to their homes, as their workplaces had shut down. As Peer followed the story of these two young men, one Dalit, the other Muslim, he found that they were Surat mill workers, sending their earnings home to a village in UP, the first to help build a 'pucca' house, and the other to fund an operation for his father, without which he had become unable to walk. Ghaywan's concerns have never been hidden, right from his full-length feature Masaan to the short Juice, to a novella-length Geeli Pucchhi. He is clearly on the side of those who do no have power, and how those structures are skewed through accidents of birth and generational wealth. Also Read | At Aranyer Din Ratri's Cannes' premiere, Sharmila Tagore says, 'I, Simi Garewal are the only survivors' 'Poora naam kya hai, beta? Chandan? Aage kya likhte ho? Kumar. (What is your full name, son?)' As soon as Chandan comes up with that little telling detail, the government official gets that knowing look. 'Sher ki khaal pehnene se suar sher nahi bann jaata. (Wearing a lion's skin cannot make a pig a lion).' A post shared by Shubhra Gupta (@shubhragupta) While Chandan no-surname Kumar can get by with hiding the details of his non-existent surname, Shoaib Ali has nothing to hide behind. His name is a dead giveaway, and in today's India, being Muslim, and dirt-poor deposits you on the margins of the already marginalised. His struggle to find gainful employment will find resonance in the countless instances where 'kaagaz' proving your identity, and consequently, fealty to the nation, have become the only way to get a foot into the door. Homebound's buddy film elements are placed on the highly volatile intersection of caste, class and gender, with religion added to the mix. And though there's not much subtlety with which the film communicates its message, it is a timely, trenchant testament to our times. Here's hoping it finds a release soon back home. Meanwhile, the premiere, attended by the cast and crew (with producers Karan Johan, Apoorva Mehta and Somen Mishra in their red carpet best) ended with a nine-minute standing ovation. Could this mix of mainstream production muscle and arthouse sensibility be the beginning of a new innings for Indian cinema? Should we live in hope?
See - Sada Elbalad
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Cairo International Film Festival celebrates FIPRESCI's centenary
Ali Abo Deshish _ Pasant Elzaitony Today, the Egyptian Pavilion at Marché du Film, part of the 78th Cannes Film Festival (13–24 May 2025), will host a reception marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI). Just days ago, Cairo International Film Festival and FIPRESCI launched a historic agreement that will result in the publication of a special book on the federation. This book will be the outcome of a research seminar involving members of FIPRESCI and the Egyptian Film Critics Association, addressing a topic of importance to the history of cinema. The seminar will be held as part of the 46th edition of Cairo International Film Festival, scheduled for 12–21 November 2025. The event will also include the presentation of the 'FIPRESCI 100 – Lifetime Achievement Award' to a prominent cinematic figure. Commenting on the collaboration, actor Hussein Fahmy, President of Cairo International Film Festival, said: 'We at Cairo International Film Festival are proud to be part of FIPRESCI's centenary celebrations and to strengthen our cooperation with the federation at this historic moment. We believe film criticism is a fundamental partner in the industry's development, and our role as a festival goes beyond screening films to include supporting cultural dialogue and enhancing artistic standards. This partnership is a step forward in boosting the status of Egyptian and Arab cinema on the global map and in opening broader horizons for young talents and creatives.' Mohamed Tarek, Artistic Director of Cairo International Film Festival, stated: 'This collaboration with FIPRESCI is a significant milestone in the journey of Cairo International Film Festival and reflects our ongoing commitment to deepening the dialogue between filmmakers and critics worldwide. We believe film criticism is one of the pillars of industry development. Through publishing the book and organizing the seminar in the upcoming edition, we aim to create a broader space for sharing experiences and documenting the history of film criticism, contributing to the growth of Egyptian and Arab cinema.' Ahmed Shawky, President of FIPRESCI, added: 'Cairo International Film Festival has always been a strategic partner to FIPRESCI. It was the first Arab festival to host a FIPRESCI jury, which highlights the depth of the relationship between the two institutions. Moreover, many of the festival's successive artistic directors and programmers have been members of the Egyptian Film Critics Association and FIPRESCI. This new partnership with Cairo International Film Festival is therefore a key highlight of our centenary celebrations, and we hope it paves the way for broader cooperation between critics and filmmakers across the Arab world and globally.' Founded in 1976, Cairo International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious festivals in the Arab region and Africa. It holds an official international 'Category A' status from the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), making it the only festival in the Arab world and Africa with this accreditation. Founded in 1925, the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) includes national organizations of film critics from over 50 countries worldwide, in addition to individual representation from 36 countries. It aims to promote and develop film culture and protect the professional interests of critics. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
