The programme for this year’s London Asian Film Festival (LAFF) has been announced and includes a special showcase of the winning films from Harrow School’s Film Competition.
The theme of the 19th annual film festival is Memories Beyond Borders and marks 70 years of India’s independence - a notable date in India’s history - along with marking the birth of Pakistan.
Taking place across a variety of London venues including Harrow Arts Centre, the British Film Institute on London’s Southbank and Regent Street Cinema in central London, the festival comprises a variety of thought provoking stories with a South Asian connection from across the globe.
(Mango Dreams, directed by John Upchurch)
The opening premiere of Mango Dreams will kick start events on March 9, with its historic partition themed tale.
Reinforcing the notion of borders, an Afghanistani feature, Utopia, follows a woman as she journeys across the UK, Pakistan and India; while musical Bazodee, set in Trinidad and Tobago, adds a Caribbean twist.
Konkona Sen Sharma’s directorial debut A Death in the Gunj continues LAFF’s tradition of celebrating female filmmakers, as well as providing a platform for emerging talent. Female storytelling continues with works from director Deepa Mehta, Bollywood and independent Indian actress and writer Kalki Koechlin, upcoming singer Rekha Sawney, and Chalk n Duster featuring an all-female cast, starring Juhi Chawla and Shabana Azmi.
(A Death in the Gunj, directed by Konkona Sen Sharma)
Lipstick Under My Burkha, winner of the Oxfam Award for Best Film on Gender Equality at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, is the festival’s closing film and will follow with a panel discussion.
Acclaimed Pakistani filmmaker Sabiha Sumar and Bollywood actress Kalki Koechlin will discuss the theme of their independent documentary: Azmaish: Trials of Life, exploring the rising religious extremism in India and Pakistan.
Working from offices in Pinner, the organisers have ensured a close connection to Harrow. The arts centre will be screening Indian film The Threshold, on Saturday, March 11.
On the same day screenings from the Harrow School’s Film Competition will be shown in the Regent’s Street Cinema. They have been created on the theme of colour by primary school students from the schools Cannon Lane, St Johns CE, West Lodge, Whitchurch, St Joseph’s RC, Glebe, St George’s RC, Belmont and Pinner Park Junior.
LAFF is organised by Tongues On Fire. Founded in 1999 itis a not-for-profit organisation aiming to celebrate South Asia in its entirety through the arts and independent film from all over the world.
Details: tonguesonfire.com
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