The Goan Story at the International Film Festival of India will feature seven National
Award-winning Goan films. Many films have been screened at the Indian Panorama
section at the International Film Festival of India over the years. Making the
cut is ‘Paltadacho Munis’ directed by Laxmikant Shetgaonkar, ‘Nachom-ia
Kumpasar’ directed by Bardroy Barretto, ‘Amori’ directed by Dinesh Bhosle,
‘Diganth’ directed by Dnyanesh Moghe, ‘A Rainy Day’ directed by Rajendra Talak,
‘Juze’ directed by Miransha Naik and ‘K Sera Sera’ directed by Rajeev Shinde.
The films have been selected and shortlisted by the Directorate
of Film Festivals at IFFI. Another section at IFFI will be Goa Premiere
Screening with a special Goan Section featuring Konkani/Marathi feature and non
feature films during IFFI 2019 organised by Entertainment Society of Goa with
the results announced shortly.
‘Juze’, a film written, produced and directed by Miransha Naik,
was the only Goan film to be selected for the Indian Panorama section of the
International Film Festival of India in 2017. “I have not been informed by IFFI
about the film being screened neither have I sent in any entry. I am happy that
it will be screened but I am done with ‘Juze’. IFFI doesn’t bring any premieres
for the festival, which is something I have been stressing upon earlier as
well. There are so many new films that are ready to be screened and they should
get this great opportunity at the festival,” says Miransha, who will begin the
shooting of his new film in March.
‘Digant’ is directed by Dnyanesh Moghe, written by Prasad Lolienkar
and produced by Sanjay Shetye. It was screened at the 43rd IFFI. Dnyanesh says,
“I was excited when the film was screened at IFFI as it was a new film then. I
love to watch films and I want people to watch films as well. I am now looking
forward to a new production, which is Marathi feature film ‘Sthalapuran’,
produced by Vinsan World and directed by Akshay Indikar; the film has made it
to the Film Bazaar Recommends List by NFDC India. ‘Sthalapuran’ is the story of
an 8-year-old boy in search of his father; his experiences of the chaos after
migration form the basis of the storyline.”
‘K Sera Sera – Ghodpachem Ghoddtelem’ directed by Rajiv Shinde
and produced by Gayatri Pednekar and Rajesh Pednekar under the banner of de
Goan Studio, was the only Konkani film that was selected for the Indian
Panorama feature section at the 47th International film festival of India
(IFFI) in 2016. The cast includes Palomi Ghosh, Rajesh R Pednekar, Salil Naik
and Prince Jacob. “It is a happy feeling as people are going to see it again at
IFFI. The film won the National Award and has even won awards at international
film festivals,” says Rajesh.
Konkani film ‘Amori’ is directed by Dinesh Bhosale and produced
by Opus Ga La and has won the National Award this year. “Amori is a part of the
Goan story that can be told in any part of the world. We created it in a Goan
syntax but it is applicable wherever there is a water problem. We have put in a
lot of traditional life of Goa. Since water was the issue, through the film,
the protagonist was not lost. It feels good that the film will be screened at
IFFI as somebody had to stand up for Konkani cinema at IFFI. It is a proud
moment for us but we still haven’t received an official letter from DFF.
It is the 50th International Film Festival of India and a
banquet cannot be served without any Goan dishes,” says Schubert Cotta of Opus
Ga La.
Bardroy Barretto’s ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’ was the people’s
favourite at IFFI 2015 and a name that took Goan cinema to the Oscars. Konkani
film ‘Paltadacho Munis’ directed by Laxmikant Shetgaonkar was chosen as opening
film of the Indian Panorama section at the 40th International Film Festival of
India (IFFI) in 2009. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature
Film in Konkani at the 57th National Film Awards. The film is produced by NFDC
and written by Mahabaleshwar Sail.
‘A Rainy Day’ directed by Rajendra Talak was screened at IFFI in
2014. “We didn’t send ant entries for the film to be screened. I have not read
any official statement about the Goan section for IFFI. There is no special
feeling as there is a gap of nearly 3-4 years since the film was already
screened at the festival. I would have loved to see new films making an entry.
This is an international film festival which receives a maximum audience from
out of the state and country. ‘A Rainy Day’ is very close to my heart as I have
been experimenting with sound in the film which was designed by Academy
Award-winning sound director Resul Pookutty. In the last 14 years of IFFI,
seven of my films have been screened. I would urge the film fraternity in Goa
to register for the festival and to watch good cinema, where we can learn about
filmmaking. I am still learning and I would like other fellow filmmakers to
also taken advantage of the festival,” says Talak.
Many
filmmakers may be arguing that the IFFI should be a platform for new films that
can be watched and appreciated by the global audience visiting the festival,
screening the films that have already been lauded in the past takes away the
charm. The same slots would have been provided to deserving new films with
fresh ideas. But the gems from past years also need to be seen by new
audiences, especially by those from outside Goa. With over ten Konkani films to
be shown, this year’s IFFI is set to get ten times better for Goans.
