India’s Film Fiesta Comes To A Glittering End
By A Draft Correspondent
After nine eventful days of scintillating workshops, screenings and talks, the 52nd edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) came to a glittering climax on 28 November 2021 with a host of film screenings and a glam-packed closing ceremony at Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Auditorium in Goa. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Minister of I&B Anurag Thakur were among the several dignitaries present at the star-studded ceremony. Mr Thakur spoke about the diversity showcased by IFFI 2021 and thanked cinema-lovers for making the festival a success.
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| Union Minister of I&B Anurag Thakur and Madhuri Dixit at the IFFI 2021 closing ceremony |
During the closing ceremony of IFFI 2021, veteran actor Randhir Kapoor was felicitated for his exceptional contribution to Indian cinema and actor Madhuri Dixit was honoured for her outstanding performances in Bollywood movies. Actor Manoj Bajpayee was feted for his brilliant work on stage, in cinema and on OTT platforms.
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| Veteran actor Randhir Kapoor (extreme left) was felicitated at the closing ceremony |
In the ceremony, hosted by actor and television presenter Samir Kochhar, Bollywood heartthrob Madhuri Dixit spoke of how the times have changed from when, in the past, there would be very few women in the industry, as opposed to today, when women form an integral part of every segment of the film industry. Madhuri Dixit also lauded the contribution of the many women whose works, in front of and behind the camera, have been showcased at IFFI in the recent years.
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| Manoj Bajpayee (second from right) was feted at the IFFI 2021 closing ceremony |
Incidentally, a stall of Uttar Pradesh’s Film Bandhu was set up at IFFI 2021 which was inaugurated by Randhir Kapoor and Rahul Rawail. It may be recalled that filmmaker Karan Johar, while hosting the Opening Ceremony of IFFI 2021 had said, “If you shoot a film in Lucknow, Kanpur and Varanasi of UP, then the stories emerge automatically.”
CBFC Chairperson and acclaimed lyricist Prasoon Joshi was awarded the Indian Personality of the Year Award at IFFI 2021. IFFI-52 featured 148 films from about 73 countries in the International section. This year, IFFI received 624 films from 95 countries, up from 69 countries in the previous edition of the film festival. The festival concluded with Asghar Farhadi's Iranian film A Hero.
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| Prasoon Joshi (second from right) awarded at IFFI 2021 |
On the last The International Competition Jury for the 52nd edition of IFFI, led by Jury Chairperson Iranian filmmaker Rakhshan Banietemad and other members including film producers and filmmakers Ciro Guerra, Nila Panda and Vimukhti Jayasundara interacted with the media. Ms Banietemad said, on her experience of judging films, “I never find any difference based on gender as far as filmmaking, viewing and judging is concerned. I focus more on the expertise and the skill rather than the gender and this is what all women filmmakers should do.”
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| BRICS representatives felicitated at IFFI 2021 closing ceremony |
Among the many awards given during the closing ceremony of IFFI 2021:
Japanese Film ‘Ring Wandering’ which resurrects memories of Tokyo’s hidden war-torn past bagged the Golden Peacock. South African film ‘Barakat’ and Russian film ‘The Sun above Me Never Sets’ shared the Best Film Award. Brazilian filmmaker Lúcia Murat was awarded the Best Director award for her riveting documentary ‘Ana’. Indian actor Dhanush won the Best Actor (Male) award for his raw and rustic portrayal of a farmer in ‘Asuran’. Brazilian actor Lara Boldorini was honoured with the Best Actor (Female) award for her coming of age role in ‘On Wheels’. Director Yan Han from China received the Jury Special Mention Award for ‘A Little Red Flower’.
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