Films in brief - industry round-up
4th September, 2005
Actress Archie Panjabi has a part (albeit not a major one) in the film The Constant Gardener, which opens the London Film Festival on 19th October. Based on the best-selling novel by John le Carré, it tells the story of one man's journey to uncover the truth behind a personal loss and a global conspiracy. Panjabi plays the part of Gita Pearson.Director Deepa Mehta's latest film, Water, has been picked up by Fox Searchlight for distribution in American, it was announced this week. The film has been produced by David Hamilton who previously collaborated with Mehta on Fire and Earth. It stars Canadian actress Lisa Ray, currently residing in London, who also worked with Mehta on Bollywood/Hollywood.
Water will be opening the Toronto Film Festival later this month.
Hari Om, a film about a cross-cultural romantic voyage and a story of self-discovery and the true spirit of India, is part of the Raindance film festival starting this month. Isa and Benoit, a young European couple are separated after a quarrel whilst aboard a luxury train journey. Isa meets a happy go-lucky rickshaw driver and they set off together into the picturesque countryside.
From lavish trains to desolate desert back roads and set in the beautiful Rajasthan, this film stars Vijay Raaz (Monsoon Wedding) as Hari Om. www.raindance.co.uk
Speed dating, a cheesy chat show and gate crashing a wedding abroad are some of the antics a group of friends get up to in a new film out this month - The Wedding Run.Produced by the Filim Company and Tower Hamlets Art & Events, this fun-packed comedy adventure uses both stage performances and pre-recorded film sequences to tell the tale of love, friendship and marriage. The storyline tackles family, arranged marriages and inter-racial relationships.
The Wedding Run will be showing at The Brady Arts Centre, 192 - 196 Hanbury Street, London E1 from 14th - 17th September 2005.
Media contact: Regina Motalib on 0207 709 2028 / 07947 867116
The Indo-Franco-British film One Dollar Curry will be opening in London on 23rd September. Written and directed by Vijay Singh, it stars Vikram Chatwal, Gabriella Wright, Smriti Mishra and Trevor Stephens.It is the story of Nishan (Chatwal), a street-smart Indian who reaches Paris in search of political refuge. He produces a kitchen on wheels called 'One Dollar Curry' to survive. Ironically, Nishan knows nothing about cooking, but knows plenty about serving up fun and laughter with the help of his new friends. In the midst of trying to get by, Nishan is trapped between his Indian fiancé (Smriti Mishra) and his French lover (Gabriella Wright).
The music is scored by Zakir Hussain. Vikram Chatwal is a New York-based actor and a leading hotelier. Smriti Mishra is an Indian actress and previously starred in Vijay Singh's debut feature Jaya Ganga.
Media contact: Hasiba Rehman @ Media Moguls
www.onedollarcurry-themovie.com
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is to benefit from a gala screening at The British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) next month of the newly re-mastered Indian film Mughal-E-Azam (The Great Emperor). NFTS President and film-maker Lord Attenborough, CBE, will host the event, with other celebrity guests. 200 people will attend the BAFTA screening on Friday 9 September to see one of the most successful films ever made, and enjoy a dinner in the interval.
To attend or for more information about Gala Charity Screening, contact: Elizabeth Hardy; 01494 731402.
