ITV

Category: Movies

  • Hong Kong Intl Film Fest to showcase 260 films from 56 countries

    Hong Kong Intl Film Fest to showcase 260 films from 56 countries

    MUMBAI: Murmur of the Hearts by Sylvia Chang will be the opening film of the 39th International Film Festival opening on 23 March. The Festival will close on 6 April with Port of Call by Philip Yung. Both the films are to get their world premieres at the Festival.

     

    The festival will screen 264 films from 56 countries, including 78 world or Asian premieres. While Chang’s film is about growing up and letting go in Taiwan, Yung is a compassionate look at the effect of crimes on the families of the criminals.

     

    With Germany as the country of focus, there will be 13 films from that country including Victoria, which won the Silver Bear at the Berlinale for artistic contribution. The German programme is supported by the Goethe Institute in Hong Kong and German Films.

     

    The Festival is supported by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS), which is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organisation dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film. Through its year-round programmes, the mission of the Society is to strengthen global appreciation of Asian and Chinese film culture and to promote inspiring films from around the world, enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong. 

     

    Committed to the development of a vibrant film culture in Hong Kong and Asia, the Society organises two annual flagship events in March and April: the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) and the Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).

    The Hong Kong International Film & Television Market (FILMART), a concurrent event of the HKIFF, will be held along with the Festival. This will be held from 23 to 26 March.

     

    Committed to discovering new talent, the Festival premieres the breadth of Chinese cinema and showcases Asian talents. As a lifestyle event, festival-goers can enjoy world-class films, attend seminars hosted by leading filmmakers from around the world, visit film exhibitions, join celebration parties, and more.

     

    The Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) to be held from 23 to 25 March is widely recognised as the most important film-financing platform in Asia. The HAF brings Asian filmmakers with upcoming projects to Hong Kong to explore co-production opportunities with top financiers, producers, bankers, distributors and buyers. Attracting more than 1,000 filmmakers and guests from at least 35 countries and regions, around 30 projects are selected annually to participate in the three-day event.

  • Shraddha Kapoor receives vintage Piaget gold watch from dad Shakti Kapoor for birthday

    Shraddha Kapoor receives vintage Piaget gold watch from dad Shakti Kapoor for birthday

    MUMBAI: Actress Shraddha Kapoor gets a solitaire to cherish for life from her beloved father Shakti Kapoor on her 26th birthday. She was gifted a vintage Piaget gold watch worth Rs 7 lakhs from Shakti Kapoor’s personal collection, which is close to his heart. They say a mother’s belonging is passed on to her daughter as a tradition but here the actress has been blessed with a possession from her dad’s treasure.

     

    “I have a huge collection of watches and this one was a particular favourite of hers (Shraddha)”, says Kapoor about the gold watch.

     

    Adding to how precious this gift is to his daughter, Bollywood’s iconic actor says, “She used to eye this watch when she was a kid so this time I thought, it’s her birthday so why not surprise my princess. So I decided to gift her watch not only because I love her but because I’m really very proud of her.”

     

    To celebrate Shraddha’s birthday dad Shakti Kapoor cancelled his flight to Delhi, “I cancelled my flight and was with her all afternoon since she has a shoot in the night these days for her upcoming film ABCD 2, we couldn’t do the midnight celebrations but we organized a family lunch with all of her favourite dishes. “

     

    Shakti lists his daughter’s birthday lunch menu, “Shraddha is a big seafood lover. So there was prawn curry, crab cakes, fish curry and prawn biryani. And actually we had it all. I was eating for almost one-and-a-half hours until Shraddha stopped me by saying, ‘Papa that’s enough.’”

  • Censor Board bans ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ in India

    Censor Board bans ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ in India

    MUMBAI: It finally official. Fifty Shades of Grey will not see an India release. According to media reports, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has said that they will not allow the film to be shown in cinemas as fans had eagerly waited for the release of the film in India.

     

    Fifty Shades of Grey was first screened at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival on 11 February, 2015. The film was released in 75 IMAX screens across the US on 13 February, 2015.

     

    Central Board of Film Certification Shravan Kumar did not mention the reasons for which the panel refused to approve the film adaptation. He though went on to add that the Comcast Corp unit that released the Universal Pictures film could appeal the decision. 

     

    Sources said that the board had objected to the film’s dialogue, even after Universal had made voluntary edits to the film to bring down its raunchy sex scenes and removed some forms of nudity.

     

    The film so far has grossed more than $400 million in global ticket sales. However, countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Kenya have banned the film in their theaters for its sexual content.

  • UTV to release Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s ‘Broken Horses’ on 10 April

    UTV to release Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s ‘Broken Horses’ on 10 April

    MUMBAI: Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Hollywood venture, Broken Horses, is all set to release on 10 April, 2015. The movie will be marketed and distributed by UTV Motion Pictures in international markets.

     

    Set in the shadows of the US–Mexico border gang wars, Broken Horses is an epic thriller about the bonds of brotherhood, the laws of loyalty and the futility of violence. The film has been co-written by Chopra and Abhijat Joshi (PK, 3 Idiots, Lage Raho Munnabhai, Mission Kashmir) and it based on an original story by Chopra.

     

    “It’s been a pleasure to work with Vidhu Vinod Chopra on one of the most anticipated movies of this year, PK. He has an impeccable track record and we are happy to collaborate with him on his first Hollywood project Broken Horses. As a studio we have always believed in building and fostering great professional relationships and opportunities like these help us strengthen them further,” says Disney India vice president and head, marketing and distribution – studios Amrita Pandey.

     

    Chopra adds, “Making a film in Hollywood was extremely challenging, it’s the first time ever that an Indian has written, directed and produced a Hollywood film. But the challenge turned out to be a lot of fun. It was very fulfilling for me as a filmmaker. I am delighted that UTV Motion Pictures has come on board to market and distribute the film in international markets.”

     

    Broken Horses’ cast features Vincent D’Onofrio, Anton Yelchin and Chris Marquette. The cast also includes popular Spanish actress Maria Valverde, Thomas Jane and Sean Patrick Flanery.

  • MSM Motion Pictures & Yash Raj Films come together for ‘Piku’

    MSM Motion Pictures & Yash Raj Films come together for ‘Piku’

    MUMBAI: MSM Motion Pictures has partnered with Yash Raj Films for the worldwide theatrical distribution of their upcoming comedy drama – Piku.

     

    Directed by Shoojit Sircar, the move further strengthens the 20 year association of YRF and MSM. The duo ensures that YRF’s distribution network takes Piku to not just domestic and diaspora audiences but also non-traditional markets globally.

     

    A quirky take on father daughter relationship, the film brings Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan together for the first time. The film is also Paduokone’s first stand alone title role and has been co-produced by MSM Motion Pictures along with Saraswati Creations and Rising Sun Films.

  • India & China lead nominations for Asian Film Awards in Macau

    India & China lead nominations for Asian Film Awards in Macau

    NEW DELHI: Three Indian films share seven nominations among 42 films nominated in 14 categories for the Asian Film Awards this year. 

     

    Haider has four nominations. In addition to Best Film, Haider is recognised for its director Vishal Bhardwaj, supporting actress Tabu, and production design. 

     

    Margarita, With a Straw is recognised for Kalki Koechlin’s performance and its score. 

     

    Court is nominated for director Chaitanya Tamhane’s screenplay.

     

    The awards are returning to Macau on 25 March this year. In sharp contrast to December’s Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA), there are no nominations shared with the remainder of Asia or the Middle East. The festival defines the Asian Region as “East of the Suez”. It still maintains several voting members from Iran, a country that has previously won big at the awards. 

     

    With five nominations, Ann Hui’s biographical drama The Golden Era (China – Hong Kong) has the highest number of nominations for any single film, but it has not been recognised for Best Film. 

     

    Overall, films from China – including Hong Kong co-productions – are the most recognised with 26 nominations out of 74 in all categories. Three local Hong Kong films – That Demon Within, Golden Chickensss and The Midnight After -score an additional three nominations.

     

    Along with Haider, China’s Black Coal, Thin Ice and Blind Massage are the next most recognised films, with four nominations apiece. They will compete for Best Film with Japan’s The Light Shines Only There and from South Korea, Hill of Freedom and Ode to My Father. 

     

    Three China co-productions received four nominations apiece: Diao Yi’nan Black Coal, Thin Ice, Lou Ye’s Blind Massage and Jiang Wen’s Gone with the Bullets. Tsui Hark’s The Taking of Tiger Mountain 3D received three nominations; Zhang Yimou’s Coming Home has two nominations, for actresses Gong Li and Zhang Huiwen.

     

    From South Korea, 10 films have received 16 nominations. Two films received three nominations apiece: Hong Sang-soo’s Hill of Freedom (including Best Actor for Japan’s Kase Ryo) and Kim Seong-hun’s A Hard Day. The two films screened in Venice and Cannes last year. 

     

    From Japan, 12 films have received 15 nominations. Only two films received more than one nomination: Oh Mipo’s The Light Shines Only There and Miike Takashi’s Over Your Dead Body. In addition to Best Film, Oh’s film is nominated for Takada Ryo’s screenplay and Ikewaki Chizuru’s supporting actress performance.

     

    The cinema of Southeast Asia is almost completely overlooked in the nominations. Just two films are recognised: Indonesia’s The Raid 2 directed by Gareth Evans, and the Philippines’ From What is Before directed by Lav Diaz. Diaz has a Best Director nominee for his 338-minute drama.

  • Indonesia, Malaysia to get taste of ‘The Rise of Digital India’, Indian cinema

    Indonesia, Malaysia to get taste of ‘The Rise of Digital India’, Indian cinema

    KOLKATA: Showcasing the massive impact of Indian cinema and the country’s digital prowess, an exhibition on films is travelling to Indonesia and Malaysia. Kolkata-based National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Culture, while celebrating ‘Festival of India’ is likely to narrate the fascinating story of a modern and culturally diverse India.

     

    Inaugurated in Jakarta last week, the exhibition will travel to various cities of Malaysia such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Malacca till June.

     

    The other exhibition ‘The Rise of Digital India’ showcases the phenomenal rise of digital technologies in India after independence and how it has touched the lives of millions of Indians in areas such as agriculture, power generation, weather forecasting, e-commerce, atomic energy, space, communication, e-governance etc.

     

    NCSM Director General G S Rautela said it is an opportunity to showcase modern India and diversity of Indian culture abroad. “The Festivals of India abroad not only give wonderful opportunities for the Indian Diaspora to rejuvenate their cultural connections but also pave way for strong cultural bonding and improve people to people contact between the countries,” he said.

     

    The travelling exhibition ‘Life on the Silver Screen: The Fascinating Story of Indian Cinema’ is a portrayal of the impact of the Indian cinema on the society, its culture, economy and vice-versa.

     

    It takes visitors through an absorbing journey of a century of Indian cinema in a storytelling mode with the help of visuals and graphics, film clippings, artifacts/replica, interactive multimedia, etc.

     

    The exhibition, comprising about 60 exhibits, is divided into the sections like ‘Cinema before Cinema’, ‘The Beginning’, ‘Sound Era’, ‘The Indian New Wave’, ‘Linguistic Multiplicity in Indian Cinema’, ‘Cinematic Connection between India and the South East Asia’ etc.

     

    The exhibitions are aimed to develop a strong cultural bonding between India, Indonesia and Malaysia, NSCM officials said.

  • Complaint in Punjab against Ram Gopal Varma for remarks about ‘MSG-The Messenger’

    Complaint in Punjab against Ram Gopal Varma for remarks about ‘MSG-The Messenger’

    NEW DELHI: A first information report (FIR) has been filed in Ludhiana’s Daba Police station against filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma at for allegedly criticising the head of the Dera Sacha Sauda Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insaan and his film MSG – The Messenger through Twitter.

     

    The complaint was filed by Jasbir Singh of Lohara village under Section 298 (uttering words to hurt religious sentiments) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 66 (sending offensive messages through communication services and devices) of the Information Technology Act.

     

    Varma reportedly already has a complaint lodged against him for his tweet about Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi.

     

    Varma tweeted on 13 February allegedly negatively about the movie as well as about Singh making use of certain offensive words.

     

    Meanwhile, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore today told the Rajya Sabha that Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act 1952 and Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 and the Guidelines for certification of films lay down principles of certification of film which also includes that visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups are not presented. 

  • ‘Fast and Furious 7’ to release in four languages across India

    ‘Fast and Furious 7’ to release in four languages across India

    MUMBAI: After the success of all its prequels, Universal Pictures India is all set to give Fast and Furious 7 a multi-lingual release in Indian theatres on 2 April, 2015.

     

    The movie will release across India in four languages namely English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

     

    Fast and Furious 7 will be more special for the franchise’s fans as this will be the last time they will see the late Paul Walker reprising his role as Brian O’Conner. It may be recalled that Walker died in a car crash last year.

     

    The movie also stars Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson and Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Statham and Indian actor Ali Fazal in a special appearance among others.

     

    The movie is directed by James Wan. The movie will also see Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Lucas Black, who will be joined by international action stars new to the franchise including Jason Statham, Djimon Hounsou, Tony Jaa, Ronda Rousey, Nathalie Emmanuel and Kurt Russell.

     

    Talking about the movie, Wan said, “When you’re making a bigger movie you have much bigger set pieces that require more time and more effort and more people. But I think the final product will surprise a lot of people. It’s the hardest film I’ve ever had to make but it’s also the one I’m proudest of.  I’m really proud of this film.”

  • ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ opens weak at the BO

    ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ opens weak at the BO

    MUMBAI: Dum Laga Ke Haisha opens weak due to lack of promotion and Ayushmann Khurrana’s dropping popularity thanks to his last couple of films but, the film, being a simple and sincere theme and handling earns some good word of mouth.

     

    This shows on its collections on day two, Saturday, when the collections doubled while on Sunday they were two and half times of day one. However, all these in a lower range ending the opening weekend with Rs 6.08 crore.

     

    Ab Tak Chhappan 2, an attempt to ride the sequel wave, fails badly: the subject is outdated this being a sequel to an 11 year old original. Also, the subject and its lead players are no more relevant. And, to top it all, the content is poor and lacks imagination. The film fails to draw audience facing no show status at many theatres. The film’s collections remain as low on Saturday as on the opening day with a negligible rise on Sunday to collect Rs 4.4 crore for the first weekend.

     

    Badlapur sustains to an extent thanks to Varun Dhawan and Nawazuddin Siddiqi fans and the positive media hype as well as reviews. The film ended its first week with Rs 35.8 crore and may add some more as the week has poor oppositions in its second week.

     

    Roy suffers a huge drop in its second week collecting just about Rs 2.45 crore to take its two week total to Rs 35.85 crore.

     

    Shamitabh has added Rs 60 lakh in its third week taking its three week total to Rs 21.1 crore.

     

    Baby has added Rs 1.15 crore in its fifth week to take its five week tally to Rs 79.25 crore.