The 18th MAMI Mumbai Film Festival is upon us. As always, cinema enthusiasts around the city are gearing up to witness it, which is arguably the country’s biggest cinema extravaganza. Starting October 21, the festival has a line-up of some interesting films, ranging from world cinema (especially from France and Turkey) to Indian golds to short narratives to awe-inspiring documentaries. As a festival regular, every year I try to curate a list of must-see films so that I do not miss the creme de la creme during the action of being bombarded by tens and hundreds of titillating films. So, here you go with the top 10 films (in no specific order) to check out at the 2016 Mumbai Film Festival, from an Indian film enthusiast’s perspective.
A Death in the Gunj
The directorial debut of Indian actress Konkona Sen Sharma, this one was the only film in my watchlist for the festival until they released the list. Starring an interesting cast of Vikrant Massey, Gulshan Devaiah, Kalki Koechlin, and Ranvir Shorey, it narrates a thrill-toned drama about a family holidaying at a countryside town. The huge number of characters seen in the trailer is enough to attract one’s attention. And, it was well-received at TIFF earlier this year. Notably, A Death in the Gunj will open the festival at Regal Cinema, Colaba at 7 PM on 21 October 2016.
LOEV
Directed by Sudhanshu Saria, this drama takes its viewers to the lives of a group of friends who decide to go on a weekend trip to have fun, but instead end up introspecting about their lives and sexual orientations. One of the most-anticipated Indian independent film of the year, LOEV (pronounced as “love”) is touted to be a festival favorite considering its risque and audacious theme (apologies; I know). Premieres at PVR Andheri at 8.15 PM on 21 October 2016.
Endless Poetry
A glittering follow-up to The Dance of Reality (2013), Chilean filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Endless Poetry is a creative tour de force about his years of youth as he embraced the art. A Sundance and Cannes favorite, this one is colourful, full of life, and not to be missed. Endless Poetry premieres 21 October 2016 at PVR Phoenix, Lower Parel at 5.30 PM.
I, Daniel Blake
Winner of the 2016 Cannes Golden Palm, I, Daniel Blake is British director Ken Loach’s chilling drama, reminiscent of Dardenne brothers’ Marion Cotillard-starring Two Days, One Night (2015). It narrates the tale of an anxious carpenter who teams up with a woman equally in distress in order to acquire the much-needed financial help from the state. Why Indians would enjoy the film? The film takes on bureaucracy that we experience, like, almost every day. The film premieres at Regal Cinema at 5.40 PM on 22 October 2016.
Madly
Madly is a collection of six short stories, all of which talk about the nuanced characteristics and complications of that sweet thing we call love. After premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival to critical acclaim, this one comes to Mumbai at PVR Phoenix, Lower Parel on 21 October 2016 at 8.15 PM. Controversial director Anurag Kashyap is directing Radhika Apte, which is enough to usher you down into the hall.
Manchester by the Sea
Kenneth Lonergan’s drama about a man who is stashed the responsibility to take care of his teenage nephew after his brother dies has already sweeped the critics off the floor. Starring Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams, it currently has a Metascore rating of 91, which shows universal critical acclaim. Drama lovers will not be disappointed. Manchester by the Sea will definitely attract many people as it is closing the festival 27 October 2016 at 3 PM at PVR Andheri.
Anatomy of Violence
For people who have loved Canadian director Deepa Mehta’s work, especially the Elements trilogy, Anatomy of Violence will be a treat. Partly based on the New Delhi gang-rape which shocked India in 2012, the film looks at “the making of a rapist”. It premieres at 8.55 PM at PVR Icon on 21 October 2016.
Under the Shadow
One of the few horror films screening at the festival, Iranian Babak Anvari’s directorial debut will premiere at 9.15 PM at PVR Andheri on 21 October 2016. A survival tale of a mother-daughter duo, Under the Shadow narrates as: a missile attack on a building in war-torn Iran is believed to be the action of a malevolent spirit, which might have transferred its presence from the blown missile to the building or its inhabitants...
Also, do check out The Wailing, if you can.
The Unknown Girl
Dardenne Brothers are back with a seemingly hypnotising yet sombre drama about a doctor who vows to uncover the identity of a patient who had rejected her prognosis and refused her treatment. Starring Adele Haenel in the lead role, this one has already amassed favourable critical from around the globe, and is touted as one of the foreign crown favorite. The Unknown Girl will premiere at 2 PM at Le Rever in Bandra on 23 October 2016.
Una
If you have been following Netflix’s sleeper hit Bloodline, then you would understand how good an actor Ben Mendelsohn is. After winning numerous awards for his role in the crime drama series, he now plays a paedophile. Also starring Rooney Mara as his victim, Una will explore the relationship between the two as they play the victim and the victor without knowing or realising who is what. It premieres at 6.30 PM at PVR Andheri on 21 October 2016.
So, which ones are you watching? Let us know in the comments.