Pro Tools
FILMFESTIVALS | 24/7 world wide coverage
Welcome !
Enjoy the best of both worlds: Film & Festival News, exploring the best of the film festivals community.
Launched in 1995, relentlessly connecting films to festivals, documenting and promoting festivals worldwide.
Working on an upgrade soon.
For collaboration, editorial contributions, or publicity, please send us an email here.
|
Siraj Syed is the India Correspondent for FilmFestivals.com and a member of FIPRESCI, the International Federation of Film Critics. He is a Film Festival Correspondent since 1976, Film-critic since 1969 and a Feature-writer since 1970. He is also an acting and dialogue coach. @SirajHSyed
Double XL, Review: Dreams double XL, reality check less than M
What happens when two ambitious women, of XL size, meet, after their dreams are all but shattered? They help each other and everything becomes alright. Exactly. That is the trouble with Double XL…it is so predictable. Moreover, there is considerable difference in the sizes of Sonakshi Sinha and Huma Qureishi, with Sonakshi appearing to be L against Huma’s definite XL, maybe even XXL. They needed someone on par with H...
Palyad, Preview: Funeral rites and funereal duties
Marathi language film Palyad, meaning ‘The Other Side’, is releasing tomorrow.
Almost all Hindus cremate their dead by burning them on a funeral pyre. Some have access to electric crematoria, and the rites are therefore less disturbing, visually. To perform these rites, in some Maharashtrian villages, there are certain designated persons. They do nearly everything after the body is brought to the site, after a generous helping of...
Bengaluru’s Suchitra Film Society celebrates 50 years, releases book by Aruna Rajé Patil
Suchitra Film Society (SFS) organised a Film Festival in collaboration with the Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI) and Surana College. The festival was formally inaugurated on 15 October, by watering a potted plant by the Principal of Surana College, D.N.S. Kumar, and Principal of PU College, Chandrashekharappa, in the presence of the President and Secretary of SFS, Suresha B. and D...
Puranjay Khanna’s debut book of poems, Second Star, released on his birthday
For many a literate person, reading was a lifeline throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. With the world on pause, many found themselves reading more than ever. While pandemic led to increased readership, it also gave rise to many writers. One among them is a young lad, Puranjay Khanna, whose debut book, titled Second Star got released yesterday, in the presence of renowned dignitaries, at the Taj Land’s End H...
Cinematography Art, Review: A magazine for the learned and the learners
At the Broadcast India exhibition, held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai, October 13-15, I chanced upon a stall that displayed several issues a magazine and a large poster of a film school. The film school was named Craft, while the magazine was called Cinematography Art. Art and Craft co-existing. Inquiries revealed that the two ventures are run by Naresh Sharma, who is known to me, as a c...
FIPRESCI’s Top Ten Indian films of all time includes two Satyajit Ray movies
FIPRESCI-India (India chapter of the International Federation of Film Critics:
FIPRESCI) conducted a secret poll for making a list of the All Time Ten Best Indian
Films. 30 Members of FIPRESCI-India voted in confidence and on the basis of
maximum number of votes polled in favour of the films the following list was
declared officially:
ALL TIME TEN BEST INDIAN FILMS:
1. Pather Panchali (Song of the Littl...
High Tide, Review: Time and tide wait for one
There was a film in which the main character is a psychopath who buries his victims alive. This was a European film, probably Austrian, that sent several chills down my spine when I saw it several decades ago. High Tide uses that basic premise, but builds an entirely new take around it. Three-quarters of the film are located in a box, the size of a large coffin, with a man trapped there. His plight evokes instant sympathy, for he has done nothing ...
Uunchai trailer launch: Heightened expectations
Uunchai is not about family. It is about friendship. How far will you go to fulfill the last wish of a dear friend? Mount Everest? There can be no greater Uunchai (Height) on earth, and never mind the spelling. Should be Oonchai, but I guess numerology dictated the changed spelling. Numerology again seems to be at play in choosing the release date: 11-11-22. But two factors have kindled keen interest in the film: firstly, the return of Amitabh B...
Phone Bhoot ghost shoots a mockumentary
The trailer of Phone Bhoot, the comedy horror film that is scheduled for release on 04 November, was trending continuously for 24 hours on YouTube. Taking ahead their constant efforts of building anticipation, the makers dropped a fun promo of a mockumentary, a few days back, and now they are finally here with the full video.
As we see the full video now, we notice the actors indulging in hilarious banter and enjoying taking a dig at each other. The ch...
MISMFF 2022, 07: Prize winners
A Special Mention went to Esmeralda (Mexico)
A Special Prize went to
“The Iron Digger” (Nepal)
For the masterful Cinematography and the director’s respectful attitude towards the theme.
A Special Prize went to “Preparation” (Georgia)
For the minimalistic yet very empathic portrayal of a family relationship.
The Best Short Film Award went to “Jesus Bird” (Georgia)
For the humorous, modern interpretati...
Kahani Rubber Band Ki, Review: Precaution first, protection afterwards
No, it is not the story of a rubber band. The term is used as a euphemism for something that was known as French Leather in the latter part of the twentieth century. Towards the end of the twentieth century and till now, the term ‘protection’ has taken its place. It appears from the film, set in Varanasi, that in towns and Tier III (small) towns at least, men are still shy about saying the word “condom&rd...
Doctor G, review: A 124-minute operation, performed by a novice
G in the title could stand for ‘jee’, a suffix denoting respect, or for gynæcology. Neither is moniker material, so why title your film Doctor G? Because the protagonist is a male student of medicine and has his heart set on orthopædic studies and practice, but no seats are available in that branch of study and the only option is gynæcology. Pray, why the reluctance to study gynæcology? B...
Kantara, review: Dispossessing the 'possessed'
Kantara is about conflict. Conflict between nature and human beings. Conflict between landlords and their subjects. Between Forest Officers and villagers using forest resources for subsistence. Between two powerful and major landlords. Between humans and ‘possessed-by-deities’ humans. Between humans and wild beasts. Between a mother and her son. Between a hero and his nemesis. Between a film and its audience. Yes, a film and i...
Aye Zindagi, Review: Goodness of human beings, greatness of cinema
A very touchy, sensitive and polarising subject, Aye Zindagi (O Life) hits the right chords and sticks diligently to its theme and thrust. Based on an “incredible” true story, the film comes across as honest and well-crafted. One can feel emotions similar to those evoked by Anand, made 50 years ago, and Safar, before it, but, though both starred the new star on the horizon, Rajesh Khanna, both were works of fiction...
Phone Bhoot trailer launch: Horrorlarius
Ever since the audience saw the first poster of Katrina Kaif, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Ishaan Khattar starrer Phone Bhoot, they were eagerly waiting to get more glimpses of the film. Their wait is over: the trailer of this most awaited comedy of horrors was launched on 10 October at the PVR multiplex, Juhu, Mumbai.
Phone Bhoot is a title most likely chosen as a pun on the word Phone Booth, and has been in the news for some time now, because superstar ...
Trailer launch of 1st Marathi multilingual film Har Har Mahadev: 300 against 12,000
ZEE Studios' released the trailer of their upcoming film Har Har Mahadev on 10 October at the PVR Cinemas, Juhu, Mumbai. The film is the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (King Shivaji), from the point of view of Baji Prabhu Deshpande, who was initially an opponent, but joined ranks with Shivaji later on. The trailer is trending high in the Tamil and Telugu versions. Har Har Mahadev (a battle cry among ...
Janpath Kiss, play review: Kiss and miss
Staged in testing circumstances, Janpath Kiss, a full-length play in Hindustani, provided its share of laughs and satirical commentary on the contemporary socio-legal scene in India, particularly New Delhi. With a huge cast and three musicians seated on stage, it appeared to be under-rehearsed and a bit longer than necessary, considering there was no intermission or act division. Showing patches of imaginative theatrical ideas, it started on the wrong ...
Ticket to Paradise, Review: Destination rom-com that loses track of both the rom and the com
When you have actors of the calibre of Julia Roberts and George Clooney on board, you can pretty much get them to do anything. And when you ask them to deliver motor-mouth dialogue, full of love-hate content, it becomes a long spat that is occasionally funny but, at times, unfortunately, predictable. Pretty Woman Julia and Batman (1997) George have a ball, as do the co-actors, for most of the action i...
First episode of mini-series Happy Got Lucky canned
Director Param Kalra has canned the first episode of the mini-series, Happy Got Lucky. Commissioned by SBT entertainment, of Jalaj Dave and Hiren Bhoi, it consists of three episodes. Happy Got Lucky stars Vidit Sharma (MTV roadies fame, Aaja Tujhe Chaand Pe Le Chalun) and two pretty girls, Anjali Krishna and Bushra Shaikh (Mika Di Vohti fame).
The series revolves around modern day youth issues, like commitment phobia. There are many causes ...
FICCI FRAMES Fast Track 2022, 03 Shoot at sights in Rajasthan
Anand Tripathi, Additional Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan invited the members of film fraternity to come and explore the hidden gems of Rajasthan and shoot in Rajasthan. Addressing the session 'Come, Shoot in Rajasthan' at FICCI FRAMES FAST TRACK 2022, in Mumbai, on 28 September, the second and last day of the convention, Tripathi highlighted the strength of the state the rich culture and legacy th...
FICCI FRAMES Fast Track 2022, 02: Delhi High Court Judge sees enormous opportunities
Addressing the two-day ‘FICCI FRAMES Fast Track 2022’ on the second day, 28 September, Hon’ble Justice Ms. Prathiba M Singh, Judge, Delhi High Court said, “There are enormous opportunities that the Indian Creative Sector provides for expansion, and leaving a global footprint of the country.”
Speaking on strengthening India’s IP Ecosystem, Justice Singh highlighted, “...
FICCI FRAMES Fast Track 2022, 01: A comeback of sorts
It was overdue. Usually held in March, it was first postponed at the eleventh hour, and then cancelled. The year was 2020. And everybody remembers what was happening in March 2020. The Ides of March plagued the world in 2021 too, and only relented after March 2022. An eagerly awaited annual event, FICCI FRAMES is the definitive convention of the Media and Entertainment (M & E) Sector of the country. Industry giants assemble, there are ...
Vikram Vedha, Review: Gang gang, bang bang
There are only a handful of characters in Vikram Vedha who do not wield guns, swords or any ‘weapon’ they can lay their hands on. Almost all of them die. And what about those who do wield guns and makeshift weapons? They meet their fate too, except for…Rarely has a film let loose a such a fusillade of bullets, from all sorts of hand-guns as well as AK47s, as in this film. And rarely have we seen so many corpses tumble left, right a...
Varun Dhawan holds sway at Amazon Prime Video bae
Events starting on time is a rarity in the entertainment circuit of Mumbae….oops, Mumbai, but for once the exception proved the rule. A smartly dressed young lady greeted me at the desk, took my name, which I spelt out to her loud and clear. Then she took my picture on an ipad and told me to collect my identity badge a few minutes later. As I entered the Grand Sangam Ballroom at the J.W. Marriott hotel, Juhu, there was loud dance music ...
Prime Video’s first original film, Maja Ma, Trailer launch: Mad about Madhuri
One afternoon in 1984, I was invited to the Natraj Hotel, Marine Drive, Bombay, to the release get-together of Rajshri Productions’ Abodh. My benefactor, writer-director Gobind Moonis, who had wanted to cast me as the blind boy in Dosti, had now discovered a girl with a very pretty face who had learnt kathak too. But the star of the day was Gyan Shivpuri, an actor who came with a reputation. When I trie...
|
About Siraj Syed
 Syed Siraj
(Siraj Associates)
Siraj Syed is a film-critic since 1970 and a Former President of the Freelance Film Journalists' Combine of India.
He is the India Correspondent of FilmFestivals.com and a member of FIPRESCI, the international Federation of Film Critics, Munich, Germany
Siraj Syed has contributed over 1,015 articles on cinema, international film festivals, conventions, exhibitions, etc., most recently, at IFFI (Goa), MIFF (Mumbai), MFF/MAMI (Mumbai) and CommunicAsia (Singapore). He often edits film festival daily bulletins.
He is also an actor and a dubbing artiste. Further, he has been teaching media, acting and dubbing at over 30 institutes in India and Singapore, since 1984.
Bandra West, Mumbai India View my profileSend me a message
|
