Cinema Urbanism: A session on understanding cities in cinema

Date: Friday, April 30, 2010
Time: 7.00 p.m

Venue: Siddhartha Hall, Goethe-Institut/ Max Mueller Bhavan, 3, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi

CITIES, real or imaginary, have always been integral to cinema, as the stage where its stories play out. The urban spaces in cinema are not just a backdrop to the narrative, but a part of it. Films understand and capture these spaces in a manner more intense and perceptible than architects and urban planners.

Through three evenings, the Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan and arch i platform invite you to a journey through a range of urban spaces and a progression of time periods. In this process the audience will be guided by film experts, who will engage with them, by raising critical questions and presenting new perspectives. CU is not just a screening but an attempt to put architecture and cinema in dialogue.

THE FORMAT of the session will be a discussion or an open dialogue between the expert and the audience. Through various film clips, the experts will discuss a particular aspect of cities and architecture in cinema.

All three experts for the three evenings have varying fields of study and interest. They include a film maker, theorist on film studies and an architect. Consequently, the audience will also be eclectic, ranging from architects to photographers, film makers, or simply film enthusiasts.

Session ONE

Date: 30 April, 7pm
Speaker : Ms. Ranjani Mazumdar

Title : Cinematic City – An introduction to understanding cities in cinema

About the speaker: She is not only an Associate Professor of Cinema Studies at the School of Arts & Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University but also an independent film maker and author of the book “Bombay Cinema, An Archive of the City.

Session TWO
Date: 7 May, 7pm
Speaker : Mr. Aftab Jalia
Title : Nothing comes out of Nothing – Fantasy, Utopia and Dystopia

About the speaker:
He is an alumnus of the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Beyond his interests in contemporary architecture, he is an ardent observer of parallel graphic expression – including comics, movies and architecture.

Session THREE
Date: 14 May, 7pm
Speaker : Ms. Ein Lall

Title : Rural Virgin, Urban Whore – The Great Indian Divide

About the speaker:
She has used the video documentary to celebrate the unique strength and creativity of women and has directed several films which have participated in various international film festivals.

For details please contact 011 – 23471112/10.

Satyajit Ray Film Festival: Taj Enlighten Film Society

The information and content has not been written by the author, but has been pasted here, with permission from the official sources, to spread the news to as many people possible for the upcoming event.

Taj Enlighten Film Society presents the “Satyajit Ray Festival”

‘Satyajit Ray Festival’ will be held at Cinemax, Metro Big Cinemas and NCPA 2nd May –16 th May, 2010. Presented by Brooke Bond Taj Mahal

26th April 2010, Mumbai: The Taj Enlighten Film Society presents “The Satyajit Ray Festival”, a festival showcasing films, of the great master, of an icon that changed the face of World cinema. Beginning 2nd May 2010, which is the 89th birth anniversary of the filmmaker the society will screen Ray’s films namely Agantuk (The Stranger), Jalsaghar (The Music Room) and Charulata (The Lonely Wife) every Sunday at 10am at Cinemax, Metro Big Cinemas and NCPA. Presented by Brooke Bond Taj Mahal, the festival will recreate Ray’s magic on the silver screen for all the filmmaker’s fans and film enthusiasts. Directors of various backgrounds from across the country will discuss his outstanding contribution to the world of cinema after every film.

Pranav Ashar, President of the Taj Enlighten Film Society said, “Since we began our film society, we have had many requests to do a Satyajit Ray film festival. We have never received such a response immediately after announcing a festival. After this overwhelming response, we are already planning to extend and enhance the experience of the festival by adding the famous Apu Trilogy – Pather Panchali (Song of the Little Road), Aparajito (The Unvanquished) and Apur Sansar (The World of Apu).”

Speaking on the occasion, Arun Srinivas, Category Head – Beverages, HUL said, “Our association with Enlighten Film Society resonates our spirit of excellence. We at Taj Enlighten Society offer a platform to the best in the world of cinema.”

The Satyajit Ray Film Festival, which is set to take place in Mumabi From May 2nd to 16th May, 2010, will be a landmark celebration of the history movies, presented in a way that only Enlighten can, with major events, celebrity appearances, panel discussions and more. The festival will also provide movie fans a rare opportunity to experience some of cinema’s greatest works as they were meant to be seen – on the big screen. Enlighten will announce additional special events, guests and programming in the weeks and months ahead.

The festival will kick start with the film “Agantuk” Satyajit Ray’s last film after which he won the Honorary Oscar. “A graceful comedy made in a serene, classical style… we can still hear in its message the voice of a great artist!” stated The New Yorker.

This will be followed by the screening of “Jalsaghar”, which is considered one the best works of Ray by many. Charulata the winner of the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival next which will mark the end of the first part of the the satyajit ray film festival. The Apu Triology will be screened in the second part of the festival on June 28th, 29th and 30th with panel discussions and social events.

The Film Festival Pass: Rs.500:
Includes all films at the festival and attendance to the extended film festival in June.

Full Half Yearly Access :Rs. 1200:
Attendance at all Taj Enlighten Film Society screenings for six months including the Satyajit Ray Film Festival.

Full Yearly Access :Rs. 1500:
Attendance at all Taj Enlighten Film Society screenings for one full year including the Satyajit Ray Film Festival and also including panel discussions, social events.

For memberships visit www.enlighten.co.in or call 02242141414

SCHEDULE FOR Satyajit Ray Festival

Cinemax Versova (10am)
2nd May-Agantuk
9th May-Jalsagar
16th May-Charulata

Metro Big Cinemas (10am)
2nd May- Jalsagar
9th May- Charulata
16th May- Agantuk

The Extended Satyajit Ray Festival – Back to back for 3 days in the month of June – The Apu Triology at the National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA).
28th June- Pather Panchali
29th- June-Aparajito
30th-June-Apur Sansar

For more information, contact:
Tanvi Shah
Enlighten Film Society
Office-02242141414
Mobile: +91 9870090105
Email: tanvishah@enlighten.co.in