An unparalleled and exclusive look into one of the most iconic musicians of our time – A.R. Rahman. Renowned in the West for his Oscar-winning soundtrack to Slumdog Millionaire and his work with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rahman is a household name in India. In this doc, he talks about his work and life experiences in unprecedented personal terms, and provides a glimpse into the spirituality that drives his genius.
Followed by panel discussion with filmmaker Nyna Pais Caputi's empowering doc examines the condition of an endangered class of people in modern India – women. It is estimated that by 2020 there will be 20 percent more men than women in India! This doc attempts to shed light on the enormous problems of gender violence by exploring its cultural origins, and by profiling the unimaginable stories of brave survivors.
Followed by Q&A with filmmaker, and panel discussion organized by 1947 Partition Archive The 1947 Partition stands as the largest human displacement in history: over 2 million people lost their lives, while 14 million were displaced. Infused with music and poetry, Mara Ahmed's A Thin Wall (India/Pakistan, 2015, 64 mins) is a documentary about memory, history and the possibility of reconciliation with lessons that remain urgently relevant even today.
Secret Screening Followed by Q&A with filmmaker & cast A smart and sassy comedy, featuring show-stopping performances by Pia Shah and Emily C. Chang, this project-in-development from Tanuj Chopra (director of Punching at the Sun, and shorts Pia and Clap, Clap) is a 'high'-light of the festival. This 'secret' work-in-progress screening will be followed by a talkback with the talent. We'll bring the director, the actresses, and the editor - you bring Mary Jane.
Followed by Q&A with Bay Area filmmakers From the streets of San Francisco to a Parsee home in Bombay, from gorgeously animated watercolors to hip-hop music video, from queer comedy to social documentary, this year's outstanding set of shorts offer us profiles of culture, celebration, courage and change!
Followed by Q&A with the filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage's (With You, Without You, SFISAFF 2013) thought-provoking film is a carefully crafted indictment of institutionalized forms of power that follows the story of two women who seek justice for being sexually abused by a Judge. An excellent analysis of how patriarchy and power work together to infect the courts, the media and the lives of Sri Lanka's most disenfranchised citizens.
Lyrical and intimate, this unique cinematic experience delves into the lives of an ordinary couple whose competing work schedules keep them apart. Sengupta's arresting visuals build into a beautiful, dreamlike crescendo, while the resonant soundscape and retro score fill the silences with deep emotional textures. An ode to so many labors of love, including that of cinema, this film is a must-see for cinephiles.
Join us for Bollywood at the Castro - one of the most popular events at the festival! This year's inter-stellar offering takes Bollywood exuberance in a whole new direction apt for the 21st century. Superstar Aamir Khan shines as the titular PK, an inquisitive space alien who lands on Earth and shakes up society, in director Rajkumar Hirani’s (3 idiots) subversive comedy.
Join us for a special reception at the Castro Mezzanine following the screening of the film Tigers, and meet festival guests up close and personal! Enjoy food and drinks, and let the DJ get your feet wet for our Bollywood at the Castro screening of PK.
Followed by Q&A with Syed Raza Aamir Hussain and Shaftaq Batool Raza, the real-life heroes behind the story A gripping feature film based on the true story of a young Pakistani salesman who challenges the system when he discovers the devastating effects of the infant formula he is selling. Bollywood star Emraan Hashmi (The Dirty Picture) and National Award-winning actress Geetanjali Thapa (Liar's Dice) bring pathos, nuance and passion to their roles, in the hands of Oscar-winning director Danis Tanovic (No Man's Land).
A delightful and heart-warming dramatic comedy that paints a vivid portrait of urban street kids, with hope and initiative. In a Chennai slum, two young brothers set out to realize their dream: to get their first taste of pizza. While reminiscent of Slumdog Millionaire, this film finds a way to shift the lens to an exuberantly Indian perspective.
Introduced by Prof. Gitanjali Shahani, English Dept., SFSU Vishal Bharadwaj's acclaimed adaptation of Shakespeare – Haider – brings the passion of Hamlet to life by masterfully fusing Bollywood scale and spectacle with indie sensibilities. Basharat Peer's brilliant script transposes the Shakespearean classic to the conflict in Kashmir. With stand-out performances by Shahid Kapoor (Jab We Met, Dil Bole Hadippa), Tabu (Life of Pi, The Namesake), and Irrfan Khan (The Lunchbox, Slumdog Millionaire).
Winner of the Cannes Film Festival's highest honor, the Palme D'Or, Jacques Audiard's (A Prophet) latest film is an immensely powerful work that celebrates the human spirit. A former soldier, a young woman, and a little girl, pose as a family so they can immigrate into France. They end up settling in a housing project outside Paris – but it turns out that they've just left one conflict zone for another.
Live Performance! Followed by Q&A with Fawzia Mirza Told through the lens of two women’s shared love for glamorous Bollywood film star Sharmila Tagore, Me, My Mom, and Sharmila is a hilarious and heartbreaking coming-of-age story peppered with personal anecdotes, pop culture and more! Writer-performer Fawzia Mirza's dynamic piece chronicles her struggle to connect with her mother as she grapples with her own emerging identity as a queer woman of color.
Followed by Skype Q&A with filmmaker An unparalleled and exclusive look into one of the most iconic musicians of our time – A.R.Rahman. Renowned in the West for his Oscar-winning soundtrack to Slumdog Millionaire and his work with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rahman is a household name in India. In this doc, he talks about his work and life experiences in unprecedented personal terms, and provides a glimpse into the spirituality that drives his genius.
Bay Area Premier
In this stunning and riveting road drama, a young mother searching for her missing husband follows an enigmatic guide through the visually stunning backdrop of the rural Himalayas.
Bay Area Premier
A nuanced tale of everyday India and two brothers that struggle to save their family business and a piece of the country’s heritage.
Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi in Person!
Three young men from Lahore navigate the often terrifying world of illegal immigration. This musical was Pakistan's Official Entry to the Oscars in 2013, and features the talents of thespian Naseeruddin Shah.
US Premier
This German girl and Indian boy enjoyed a blissful, secret love for years, but now it’s time to get married and meet the parents!
US Premier
An intimate, thought-provoking documentary that courageously turns the camera on the filmmaker's own failed cross-caste love affair to examine why the dreams and aspirations of so many women in middle-class India never take flight.
