Siraj Syed reviews Haraamkhor: Harmful to the core Haraamkhor: A derisive term, having its roots in Persian (Farsi) and widely used in present-day Urdu and Hindi. Haraamkhor literally means one who feeds on ill-begotten food, haraam meaning immoral, or not kosher, the antonym of halaal, right and approved. Khor refers to eater, or consumer, from the Persian verb khordan, to eat. Some prefer to spell the word beginning with a qh, to distinguish from the kh sound, which is less guttural and not...

  With a title like Margarita, with a Straw and a festive screening on Cinco de Mayo eve, you'd think this foreign import would be part of a Mexican muestra. But Margarita is the opening night selection of the 15th annual New York Indian Film festival, which runs May 4 - 9. Directed by Shonali Bose, the film stars Kalki Koechlin as a spirited coed with cerebral palsy who pursues a bachelor's degree and sundry bachelorette gratifications at New York University. Bose&rsq...

Holi may be the official Hindi festival of colors, but for New York fans of South Asian and Indian-American arthouse cinema, a spring celebration that brings even more brightness is the New York Indian Film Festival. Last night over multi-hued dishes at Soho Tiffin Junction -- Modern South Indian Kitchen, NYIFF whetted appetites for its 14th edition, slated for May 5 - 10. The festival, which is the oldest and largest showcase of its kind in the United States, offers a rare chance to see indie...

The New York International Film Festival (NYIFF) today announced that it will host the much anticipated New York Premiere of Paradise East. The screening will take place on Friday April 29 at 8pm at the Quad Cinema (34West 13th Street) with an afterparty to follow. The film has received an Award for Excellence at The Indie Fest in La Jolla, California and a Silver Lei award for Excellence at the Honolulu Film Awards. Written and directed by Taylor, who has collaborated with Danny ...

By Maria Esteves - January 20, 2010 The 24th Israel Film Festival (IFF) U.S. Premiere of VOICES OF JERUSALEM, directed by Ofer Naim commenced Monday, December 7, 5:15pm at the School for Visual Arts (SVA) theatre, New York. This captivating, awe- inspiring hour long documentary explores the ancient city Jerusalem, Israel, and Ofer Naim quest to answer questions such as "Is there any hope or solution to the problems surrounding Jerusalem?" Interviews included Aliza Rosen, David Cro...

By Maria Esteves - January 19, 2010 The 24th Israel Film Festival (IFF) presentation of ADAM RESURRECTED, written/directed by 2009 IFF Achievement in Film Award winner Paul Schrader, was held at the SVA Theatre, New York, Sunday, December 6, 2009, 8:00 PM. ADAM RESURRECTED, is an overwhelming powerful and mystifying film based on the novel "Adam Ben Kelev," by Yoram Kaniuk. Set in Germany and Israel, during the 1940s-1960s, is the story of Adam Stein (Jeff Goldblum) a famous G...

The New York International Film Festival just wrapped its 2009 festival in NYC. Film screenings were held exclusively at the historic City Cinemas Village East. During the festival's opening weekend, Peter Greene, Steven Bauer, Clem Caserta (NYIFF Best Actor in a Short Film & Best Director of a Short Film), Kathrine Narducci, Ray Abruzzo and Vinnie Vella came out to support indie film and attended the World Premiere of "The Last Gamble" (NYIFF Best Drama) an...

By Maria Esteves - December 8, 2009 The 2009 New York International Independent Film & Video Festival (NYIIFVF09) New York Premiere of STILL THE DRUMS, directed by Talbot Perry Simons, was held at the Village East Cinema, New York, Saturday, October 24, 8:15 pm. A special Q&A with Award-winning filmmaker Simons preceded the after party at Telephone Bar and Grill, New York. He is winner of Best Feature Film Directorial Debut, Best Screenplay, Best Film, Best Actor, Best New Song (Nobo...

By Maria Esteves - December 4, 2009 The 2009 New York International Film & Art Festival (NYIFAF09) presented by Independent Film Group and Independent Film Quarterly were held at the Village East Cinemas, New York, October 22 -29, 2009. NYIFAF annually present international independent films from emerging and established filmmakers, international art show, exhibits, seminars, special events, and after parties.  NYIFAF09 Closing Night premiere red carpet arrivals included festival founder...