Devashish Makhija’s ‘Bhonsle’, Aijaz Khan’s ‘Hamid’, Sambit Mohanty’s ‘Hello Arsi’, Anamika Haksar’s ‘Taking the Horse to Eat Jalebis’, Rajat Kapoor’s ‘Kadakh’, Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Husband Material’, Rahi Anil Barve and Adesh Prasad’s ‘Tumbbad’ and Siddharth Malhotra’s ‘Teacher’ made it to the Estonian film festival
In its 22nd edition, Northern Europe’s largest film festival, held over November 16 to December 2, features eight Indian films making their world, international and European premieres. Known in Estonian as Pimedate Ööde Film Festival, or popularly PÖFF focuses on discovering cinema from countries that are less dominant on the global film market. Founded by its present director Tiina Lokk in 1997, the festival puts first time filmmakers on the map, bringing them in close proximity with prominent films and figures from the festival circuit.
The festival’s Forum section includes films with a fresh perspective, made for demanding audiences with unique perspectives. Two titles that recently made waves at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star, Bhonsle and Hamid, will screen in this section.
Devashish Makhija returns to Tallinn, after his sophomore feature ‘Ajji’ premiered at the festival last year, with ‘Bhonsle’. The prolific Manoj Bajpayee plays a former, spent police officer who tragically strikes his last hurrah. PÖFF marks the film’s European premiere, after its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival.
Another film with strong performances, Aijaz Khan’s ‘Hamid’ is set in conflict-ridden Kashmir and explores delicate relationships stripped apart by the perpetual war. Produced by leading production house Saregama’s film division, Yoodlee Films, it looks at the angst of 8-year-old Hamid, as he probes his inexplicable emotional loss with a childlike logic. Starring Rasika Dugal as Hamid’s mother, Ishrat, and Vikas Kumar as the CRPF soldier whose life becomes inexplicably entwined with Hamid’s, the film will have its international premiere at the festival.
Mansi Multani and Ranvir Shorey in 'Kadakh'
The only Indian world premiere at PÖFF is Rajat Kapoor’s Kadakh, which is in the festival’s Official Selection. An eclectic mix of themes, Kapoor’s seventh feature is about relationships, marriage and all its secrets. Starring Ranvir Shorey, Mansi Multani, Tara Sharma, Cyrus Sahukar and Rajat Kapoor himself in a small role, ‘Kadakh’ delivers a fast-paced dark comedy lead by a strong ensemble.
Encouraging fresh talent is the First Feature Competition, which highlights debut directors and their films which present unexpected ideas and viewpoints. Sambit Mohanty’s Odia-language debut Hello Arsi is a new find in the Indian regional space. It explores the relationship between a man and a woman, who have an unexplained connection, subtly contemplating the nature of relationships and life in general. Produced by Vedamata Productions and starring Prakruti Mishra, Parthasarathi Ray and Priyambada Ray in prominent roles, the film’s director Mohanty, unfortunately, passed away suddenly in February 2017, during the post-production of the film.
The festival finds a place for experimental cinema in its Rebels with a Cause section, where selected films test the boundaries of cinematic art. Theatre personality, Anamika Haksar’s debut feature, Taking the Horse to Eat Jalebis (Ghode Ko jalebi Khilane Le Ja Riya Hoon) will have its international premiere at in this section.
Fusing documentary with magic-realism, the film lends insight into the subterranean consciousness of Old Delhi’s migrant population, as it follows four main characters: a pickpocket, a vendor of sweet and savoury snacks, a labourer-activist, and a conductor of ‘Heritage Walks’. Produced by Gutterati Productions, the film has its world premiere in MAMI’s India Story section.
Establishing himself as a grand master of film who is important for PÖFF, Anurag Kashyap presents his latest Husband Material (Manmarziyan) in their Signatures section. After shining at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Gala Presentation, the film explores the colourful beauty and vibrant culture of Amritsar, Punjab, through the tale of an arranged marriage. The film is led by the unstoppable young Rumi, played with adrenalised bravado by Taapsee Pannu, and her two suitors, Vicky (Vicky Kaushal) and Bobbie (Abhishek Bachchan). Four of Kashyap’s previous films have screened at PÖFF – ‘Black Friday’ (2004), ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ (2012), ‘Raman Raghav 2.0’ (Psycho Raman, 2016) and ‘Mukkabaaz’ (The Brawler, 2017).
Making waves the world over for its ferocious visual effects and cinematic expertise, Rahi Anil Barve and Adesh Prasad’s Tumbbad will screen in, what the festival claims, is their best Midnight Shivers program ever. A classic and dark folklore at its best, this India-Sweden co-production premiered at and opened Venice Film Festival’s Critics’ Week. Sohum Shah (also one of the producers) plays the lead role of Vinayak, the stubborn, conniving bastard son of the village lord. The film is set in 19th century Tumbbad where a mythical ancestral treasure rests. Greed and avarice finally puts him face-to-face with the guardian of the treasure, an evil fallen God.
Sohum Shah in 'Tumbbad'
Competing in the festival’s JF (Just Film) Youth Programme, is Siddharth Malhotra’s Teacher (Hichki) on a woman who turns her most daunting weakness into her biggest strength. Rani Mukerji plays Naina Mathur, an aspiring teacher who suffers from Tourette Syndrome and defies all notions about a class of supposedly hopeless students. This programme is part of the youth and children's film festival Just Film taking place concurrently with the main festival.
Apart from being the only competitive feature film festival in Northern Europe accredited by Paris-based FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations), PÖFF belongs to the 15 leading film festivals of the world. Its contribution to films from the world over to the continent continues to be highly select yet inclusive of a variety of genres.
India’s presence at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival has been longstanding and applauded.