Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Rare Konkani film gains Toronto festival spotlight
| Entertainment
|
My Profile
Top News
Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day.
Subscribe
You are here:
Home
>
News
>
Entertainment
>
Article
Home
Business & Finance
News
U.S.
Politics
International
Technology
Entertainment
Film
Music
People
Television
Arts
Industry
Sports
Lifestyle
Oddly Enough
Health
Science
Special Coverage
Video
Pictures
Your View
The Great Debate
Blogs
Weather
Reader Feedback
Do More With Reuters
RSS
Widgets
Mobile
Podcasts
Newsletters
Your View
Make Reuters My Homepage
Partner Services
CareerBuilder
Affiliate Network
Professional Products
Support (Customer Zone)
Reuters Media
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Rare Konkani film gains Toronto festival spotlight
Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:42pm EDT
Email | Print |
Share
| Reprints | Single Page
[-]
Text
[+]
By Euan Rocha
TORONTO (Reuters) - The Toronto International Film Festival has catapulted several well-known Bollywood movies to global prominence in recent years, but 2009's event has showcased one Indian movie that had audiences buzzing for its use of a rare language, Konkani.
"Paltadacho Munis," or "The Man Beyond the Bridge" is the first ever film using Konkani -- a language only spoken in the tiny state of Goa in Western India and a few surrounding areas -- to be selected among the some 300 movies playing here.
Only a handful of movies have ever been shot in Konkani, mostly due to the small market. Recent estimates put the total number of Konkani speakers in India at roughly 2.5 million, a mere 0.2 percent of the country's 1.2 billion people.
Still, the film about one man's struggle to accept and love a mentally ill woman, has generated strong interest among a small group of the language's speakers who are excited by the rare opportunity of watching a Konkani film.
Director Laxmikant Shetgaonkar hopes his movie will appeal to a wider audience and that the festival's backing can give it the publicity it needs to play in theaters around the world.
Last year, Anees Bazmee's 'Singh is Kinng,' was showcased at Toronto and was one of Bollywood's biggest hits, and the festival also served as a platform for Karan Johar's romantic drama 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' and Kabir Khan's first feature film 'Kabul Express,' which were both released in 2006.
"The Man Beyond the Bridge" follows the life of Vinayak a lonely forest guard, who one night comes across a filthy, unkempt and ill woman outside his house. Vinayak initially attempts to drive her away, but she keeps returning and a relationship slowly develops between the two.
But Vinayak is ridiculed and ostracized by local villagers, who cast out anyone with a mental illness and believe Vinayak's relationship with the woman is morally incorrect.
Shetgaonkar hopes the movie, set in the hinterlands of Goa, will cause audiences to question attitudes toward the mentally ill.
"The idea is to raise an issue, try to reflect different perspectives and make people think," he said.
Shetgaonkar also hopes the recognition gained by the film will encourage Indian filmmakers to produce works in other regional languages that do not have a long cinematic history.
"Konkani movies have a very small market ... But, since this movie is being screened here in Toronto, it shows that it is all about making a good film, irrespective of which language you make it in."
"The Man Beyond the Bridge" is the first feature film directed by Shetgaonkar, who has previously won critical acclaim for his documentary film "A Seaside Story," and the film was produced by the National Film Development Corp of India.
(Reporting by Euan Rocha; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
Share:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Mixx
Yahoo!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Next Article:
Oil slips toward $72 as dollar rises
Also On Reuters
Video
Video: IPOs are back in full swing next week
Blog: Dim view of media? Try more transparency
Video
Video: Macallan Single Malt at $15,000 a bottle
More Entertainment News
"Curb Your Enthusiasm" rounds up "Seinfeld" gang
Few deals, some Oscar bets at Toronto film festival
Phil Spector says prison driving him insane
Gelbart's colleagues remember "master of masters"
"WALL-E" screenwriters receive Humanitas honor
More Entertainment News...
Editor's Choice
Slideshow
A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow
Most Popular on Reuters
Articles
Video
Ahmadinejad says Holocaust a lie, Israel has no future | Video
Study links 45,000 U.S. deaths to lack of insurance
"Option" mortgages to explode, officials warn
Conservative Christians assail Obama agenda
China's "cancer villages" bear witness to economic boom
First U.S. H1N1 vaccines will be nasal spray: CDC
Silicon Valley warning: Detroit still doesn't get it
Ahmadinejad: Detained U.S. hikers deserved punishment
Citigroup CEO says $100 million annual pay is too much
Iran president says Holocaust "pretext" to form Israel
Most Popular Articles RSS Feed
Video
Eye-tooth restores sight
Turkish man declared world's tallest
Merkel's challenge to retain power
Yale lab tech charged with murder
Sweet smell of Tel Aviv centenary
Namibian seal clubbing video shown
Obama resets missile defense
Obama shifts gears
Incest case stirs Australian horror
Ahmadinejad calls Holocaust a "lie"
Most Popular Videos RSS Feed
Lifestyle
Travel & Leisure:
48 hours in Baghdad
Home to what many call the Cradle of Civilization, and whose capital is immortalized in tales of the "Arabian Nights," Iraq has millennia of rich history to offer tourists -- at least the adventurous ones. Full Article
Top 5 small, boutique hotels
Hotel prices have sunk -- time to book
Business travel can help bottom line
Reuters.com:
Help and Contact Us |
Advertise With Us |
Mobile |
Newsletters |
RSS |
Labs |
Journalism Handbook |
Archive |
Site Index |
Video Index
Thomson Reuters Corporate:
Copyright |
Disclaimer |
Privacy |
Professional Products |
Professional Products Support |
About Thomson Reuters |
Careers
International Editions:
Africa |
Arabic |
Argentina |
Brazil |
Canada |
China |
France |
Germany |
India |
Italy |
Japan |
Latin America |
Mexico |
Russia |
Spain |
United Kingdom |
United States
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Saturday, 19 September 2009 Israelis celebrate Jewish New Year
Guantanamo inmates get video link: rights group
US tightens oversight of credit rating agencies
Thousands march in Iran opposition protests
US-TECH Summary
Italy troop deaths adds to Berlusconi troubles
Google says Apple rejected voice app for iPhone
Iraq rush hour market bomb kills 7
Jackson mum, children get $86,000 per month
Google launches display advertising push
U.N. rights boss urges Yemen to investigate deadly raid
| International
|
Lobby calls for EU scrutiny of Google book deal
SKoreans develop technology for no-booting computers
Microsoft files lawsuits against "malvertisers"
Darfur rebels accuse Sudan army of attacks
| International
|
Psychiatrists call for action on anorexia sites
U.S. envoy faces stalemate with Israel, Palestinians
Obama aide: No UN meeting for Obama, Ahmadinejad
In hundreds of cities, parking spaces become parks
Sri Lanka pledges to resettle displaced civilians
FDIC chief considers tapping Treasury for funds
Pakistan trying to stop terror plotters: Zardari
Gov't home loan agency faces cash squeeze
Italy's Afghan debate highlights NATO pressures
Kidnapped woman hasn't given clues in other cases
FCC to unveil open Internet rules
| Technology
|
US asks court to dismiss challenge to marriage law
Google says Apple rejected voice app for iPhone
| Technology
|
Millions of Indonesians join mass exodus for Eid holiday
Technology in starring role at NY Fashion Week
| Technology
|
Appeals court overturns campaign finance rules
Taiwan prosecutors appeal ruling on ex-president
China vows crackdown on 'ethnic separatists'
Putin hails 'brave' US shift on missiles
No joy for Thailand 3 years after coup
Skype founders file new lawsuit vs Volpi, Index
| Technology
|
Japan's new govt takes broom to conservatives' policies
Former Ore. Sen. Smith to head broadcasters group
NKorea's Kim hints at returning to nuclear talks
Containment date pushed back for LA-area wildfire
Some Myanmar political prisoners receive amnesty
Goldman to sell $1.4 bln stake in Sanyo to Panasonic
Serb officials warn nationalists ahead of gay pride
London mixes it up for fashion week
Few deals, some Oscar bets at Toronto film festival
| Entertainment
|
Paris bookshop shows French love for Asia-Pacific
NY Fashion Week stands firm in tough times
Phil Spector says prison driving him insane
| Entertainment
|
Nelly Furtado gets into the Latin groove on new CD
Part two of cult Swedish crime thriller hits cinemas
Credibility gap sabotages thriller Glorious 39
| Entertainment
|
India Communists look to promote 'Gandhi chic'
Experts celebrate French classic, with modern message
Rare Konkani film gains Toronto festival spotlight
| Entertainment
|
Barber of Seville, Bugs Bunny at 'Opera in the Outfield'
Juanes concert latest front in Havana-Miami row
| Entertainment
|
Taiwan city 'evaluates' Uighur film after China boycott
Pirate Bay suitor served with bankruptcy petition: court
Russia unloads 'piracy' evidence from Arctic Sea
Debate heats up over Wall Street rally
China warns of stability threat from H1N1 flu
| International
|
Czech senators to file Lisbon Treaty complaint on Sept 29
Indonesia police say DNA confirms key militant dead
| International
|
U.S. says no breakthrough on Mideast peace deal
U.S. regulator to unveil open Internet plan
IMF to sell 403 tonnes of gold to boost lending to poor
WHO warns of major shortfall in swine flu vaccine
Groups call for EU scrutiny of Google book deal
Iran opposition chiefs attacked as mass protests hit regime
Google revamps DoubleClick exchange
Qaeda tells Germany to change government: monitors
EBay fined again for selling fake Louis Vuitton goods online
Skype founders file another suit over eBay sale
U.N. says Colombia persecuting human rights workers
| International
|
Some injuries after quake near Indonesia's Bali
| International
|
Beijing cancels National Day rehearsal after disruptions
| International
|
Lawyers in Myanmar appeal against Suu Kyi sentence
| International
|
Indonesian quake injures 7 on Bali resort island
Indonesian official says quake in Bali injures 7
Some injuries after quake near Indonesia's Bali
U.S. urges court to reject Google book deal
| Technology
|
All Blacks play Wallabies, Tri-Nations title beyond reach
French Polynesia leader questioned in graft probe
Italy's Afghan debate highlights NATO pressures
UN chief hails release of Myanmar dissidents
Suicide attack kills 33 in Pakistan market: police
Obama to meet Japan's new prime minister at UN
Ex-CIA chiefs seek halt to interrogations probe
Chinese authorities assault journalists: Japan news agency
2 dozen motorcycles crash on I-5 in Ore.
Second man questioned in terror probe
States send mixed message on texting and driving
Families: Find 3 sailors killed in '46 polar crash
Cardinal allegedly delayed report of abuse claim
Fan pays $63,500 for dinner with Palin
Court temporarily halts 2nd Ohio execution attempt
Police in Calif. believe financier killed himself
Emmy Countdown: 'Dancing' pros rehearse routine
Judge allows Jackson mom to challenge over estate
| Entertainment
|
Judge allows Jackson estate challenge
International music star Mika sets sights on U.S.
International music star Mika sets sights on U.S.
| Entertainment
|
Disney studio chief Dick Cook stepping down
Farrah Fawcett's son gets rehab for heroin possession
| Entertainment
|
Emmy Countdown: 'Dancing' pros rehearse routine
Judge allows Jackson mom to challenge over estate
Belafonte calls for better US-Cuba relations
Man who tried to get in Seacrest's car sentenced
Fall Out Boy tells Toy story in comic-book series
| Entertainment
|
Farrah Fawcett's son gets rehab for heroin possession
Obama in media blitz to push health care overhaul
Soap opera Guiding Light shuts off after 72 years
| Entertainment
|
Mexico sets simultaneous 'Thriller' dance record
Taliban leader Mullah Omar takes aim at Obama
| International
|
U.N. probes use of its vehicles in Somalia bombing
| International
|
Abbas meets Mubarak after Mitchell trip
| International
|
Yemen announces Eid ceasefire but fighting goes on
| International
|
Thai red shirts rally to mark coup anniversary
| International
|
Pakistan says investigating Mumbai attack mastermind
| International
|
Cursive may be a fading skill, but so what?
Strong earthquake hits western China
Philippine Muslim rebels warn of new fighting
Russia ditches Kaliningrad missile threat
Obama: G-20 summit good time to assess economy
Villagers bury dead as Pakistan bomb toll hits 40
Police investigate 4 killings in central Va.
The Nation's weather
Obama to meet China, Japan, Russia leaders
Indonesian police: DNA test confirms Noordin death
Taiwan stages 'pyjama protest' over typhoon
Pa. man gulps 33 1/2 burritos, wins eating contest
Taiwan prison rejects 96-year-old convict: report
Asian countries want greater decision-making role
Charges dropped against Laos 'coup plotter'
Irving Kristol, godfather of neoconservatism, dies
French tourist injured in Beijing knife attack
China calls on banks to reduce loan risk
Turkmenistan to open China, Iran gas pipelines
Volkswagen 'could take stake in Suzuki' in 2009
China bank regulator warns of loan risks
Pakistani c.bank buys 74.7 bln rupees of govt paper
S.Korea c.bank tells assembly rates may rise-report
IMF to sell 403 tonnes of gold to boost lending
Leonard Cohen recovers from collapse
Indonesia police: DNA test confirms Noordin death
'The Age of Stupid': a wakeup call on climate
Indonesia police say DNA confirms key militant dead
Strong quake hits Indonesia's Bali
Cuban dissident punk rocker Gorki Aguila visits US
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights