Thaindian News

Nevada (US), Jan 20 (ANI): India’s ‘The Sun Behind The Clouds: Tibet’s Struggle for Freedom’ was declared as “audience documentary favorite” at the prestigious 21st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival which concluded in California (USA) on January 18.

Directed by Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam, “The Sun Behind the Clouds” (English) is described as “a unique perspective on the Dalai Lama’s trials and tribulations”. Its music is provided by Gustavo Santaolalla.

Besides “The Sun Behind the Clouds”, four other films from India also reportedly made it to the Festival: “Dev. D” (Hindi, Anurag Kashyap), “The Man Beyond the Bridge” (Konkani, Laxmikant Shetgaonkar), “Thanks Maa” (Hindi, Irfan Kamal), and “Well Done Abba” (Hindi, Shyam Benegal).

Top award winning films at this Festival were: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (Sweden), “The Most Dangerous Man in America” (USA), “Involuntary” (Sweden), “A Brand New Life” (South Korea), and “Eyes Wide Open” (Israel). The Festival, starting January five, screened 189 films from 70 countries. Festival Director Darryl Macdonald described it as “an unqualified success on every level”.

Congratulating the makers of Indian films which made it to the festival, Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged India Government and large private corporations of India to promote independent cinema in India. India was full of creative and excellent filmmakers and they only needed an integrated effort in funding, encouragement, marketing/promotion, exposure in global avenues, and organization of world-level film festivals in India, Rajan Zed, who is chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, added.”Dev.D”, a modern take on classic Devdas reflecting East-West conflict, stars Abhay Deol, Mahi Gill, and Kalki Koechlin. “The Man Beyond the Bridge” (Paltadacho Munis), the story of a lonely forest guard and his relationship with a mentally challenged woman, stars Chitranjan Giri, Veena Jomkar, and Prasanthi Talpanker. “Thanks Maa”, a 12-year-old street kid’s search for an abandoned infant’s mother in Mumbai, has used real street kids and real locations and the cast includes Master Shams, Master Salman, and Master Fayaaz. “Well Done Abba”, a satirical comedy about village life, stars Boman Irani, Minissha Lamba, and Sammir Dattani.Palm Springs International Film Society, which organizes this distinguished Festival, believes that “film as an art form has the power to bridge cultures and illuminates the universality of the human experience”. Harold Matzner is Chairman of Board of Directors. (ANI)