CPH PIX: INDIAN INDIES - BOLLYWOOD & BEYOND at Cinemateket

In 2012 the world's largest film industry turned 100, but the Indian film establishment crossed the milestone in better shape than ever. For in recent years a wave of Indian independent films has swept the film industry, forcing it to move forward. The new generations of Indians - film makers as well as the audience - are more well-travelled, better educated and have an international mind set, and CPH PIX and Cinemateket reflect this change in their programme of films that are varied in terms of genre, geography, language and culture. 

From the new Bollywood generation, over genre films and black comedies, to psychological drama and uncompromising art films from the underground, we present the best new titles that have especially contributed to the breakthrough of Indian independent films. 

INDIAN INDIES - BOLLYWOOD & BEYOND came about with the support of 'India Today - Copenhagen Tomorrow'. 

The complete festival programme can be found here

FILM PROGRAMME & GUESTS 

The film festival opened on Sunday, 19 August with Anurag Kashyap's double bill, the gangster film 'Gangs of Wasseypur', that for 320 minutes led the audience through 70 years of blood feud between two family clans. The director Anurag Kashyap is one of the leading forces in the new wave of Indian independent film. Earlier this year he sat on the PIX jury and introduced Michael Winterbottom's 'Trishna', which he has produced and acts in. 

The programme also included 24 films packed with underground attitude and independent spirit, and a handful of Bollywood smashes. Moreover, we had invited some of the most significant new Indian indie film makers to come to Copenhagen, among them: Srinivas Sunderrajan (The Untitled Kartik Krishnan Project, Greater Elephant), Umesh Kulkarni (The Temple), Aditi Roy with his debut film (At the End of It All), and film curator Amrit Gangar with a programme of experimental films, 'Cinema of Prayoga'. 

SPECIAL EVENTS 

OPENING FILM:
'GANGS OF WASSEYPUR I + II' & VISIT BY THE DIRECTOR 
19 August 2012, 4.15 pm. at Cinemateket, DKK 150 incl. two full-length films and refreshments in the intermission
The month-long film festival opened with Anurag Kashyap's gangster epic 'Gangs of Wasseypur', a 320-minute long film in two parts that was premiered in Cannes the same year. In the intermission refreshments were served, and there was a director's talk with Anurag Kashyap. (See also the portrait of the 'wild child' of Indian film in the festival cat-alogue.)

DIY! – ARTIST TALK & FILM 
31 August 2012, 7.00 pm. at Cinemateket, DKK 65/40 
A meeting with hyperactive instructor, producer and metal bass player Srinivas Sunderrajan, who, with his Enter Guerrilla label, made indie films low in cost but rich in Do It Yourself energy and cinematic feel. After the artist talk there was a showing of Sunderrajan's debut film, 'The Untitled Kartik Krishnan Project'. (110 minutes altogether) 

SOUND OF INDIA – ARTIST TALK & PERFORMANCE 
1 September 2012, 4.30 pm. at Cinemateket, DKK 40
Has the sound of India in Indian films disappeared in dubbed Bollywood - or is a rescue operation underway, led by underground film makers? A debate with Indian indie director and sound artist/expert, and a live surround-sound performance by, Budhaditya Chattopadhyay. Organised in collaboration with Rytmisk Center and the seminar 'Composition for film and media'. (75 minutes alltogether) 

'OM SHANTI OM' – OPEN AIR IN STRØGET 
1 September 2012, 8.30 pm. - free admission! 
The Bollywood classic 'Om Shanti Om' was shown in open air at Nytorv (Strøget) to mark the film festival INDIAN INDIES and the 50-year anniversary of Strøget becoming a shopping street closed to traffic. And bringing your dancing shoes and making your voice heard, you could take part in a genuine Bollywood party. (160 minutes) 

BILLBOARD PAINTERS – IN ACTION! 
3 Indian billboard painters hand-painted and recreated, quite authentically, a 7x3 metre Bollywood poster advertising 'Om Shanti Om'. The poster was painted over 3 days at Cinemateket, open to the public, and the final result was presented on 1 September 2012 in connection with the open-air showing of 'Om Shanti Om' at Nytorv (Strøget). Free ad-mission.