The Indian Film Company (IFC or the Company) today announces that IFC’s ROAD, MOVIE, has been invited to have its world premiere at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). In May the Company signed a deal with international sales agent Fortissimo Films to sell the film outside of India. The deal marks Fortissimo’s first venture in Hindi Cinema.
ROAD, MOVIE, presented by IFC in association with Studio 18, will be screened as a special presentation at the Winter Garden Theatre on 18 September 2009. The special presentation screenings are a showcase of high-profile films featuring major stars and directors from around the world.
Susan B. Landau and Ross Katz produced the film’s original screenplay, which was written by Dev Benegal. Katz won the Best Picture Academy Award Nomination for Sofia Coppola’s Lost In Translation and Todd Field’s In The Bedroom. Susan B. Landau’s dozen-strong repertoire includes the 1999 Cannes Film festival’s closing night film, An Ideal Husband, starring Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver, Julianne Moore and Rupert Everett. Her production and Management Company represent Slumdog Millionaire’s Simon Beaufoy.
ROAD, MOVIE is written and directed by Dev Benegal, whose first feature presentation, English August was hailed as a landmark film in contemporary Indian cinema and inspired a new wave of independent Indian filmmakers. His second feature presentation Split Wide Open premiered at the Venice International Film Festival.
ROAD, MOVIE tells the story of Vishnu, a restless young man, who rejects his father’s faltering hair oil business and hits the road with a traveling cinema. Colorful and full of unforgettable characters, the film celebrates India’s open road and the pure love of movies.
The film stars critically acclaimed screen sensation Abhay Deol, and Brick Lane stars, festival circuit favorite Tannishtha Chatterjee, and renowned Bollywood Actor-Director Satish Kaushik.
Commenting Sandeep Bhargava, CEO of the advisory to The Indian Film Company, said, “We are delighted and honored that TIFF has chosen to premiere ROAD, MOVIE. The invitation is an endorsement of our vision to selectively back high quality international cinema and marks the global interest in Indian films.”
-Sampurn Media