Tenth Annual South Asian International Film Festival Line-up and Schedule Announced

There is always something film related going on in NYC and December is no exception. While all the major studios are gearing up for the release of their major holiday films, HBO will be presenting the 10th annual South Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF).  The festival aims to showcase titles that are made outside of the Bollywood system, often pushing boundaries with their risqué themes and content.

This year’s festival features a few world premieres like Hammad Khan’s Anima State and Rajat Kapoor’s Ankhon Dekhi as well as India’s 2013 Oscar submission The Good Road.

If you’re into South Asian cinema or looking to dip your toes into a new area of global cinema be sure to check out the festival which is set to run from December 3rd to the 8th.  You can check out the full line-up and schedule below.
 

On the third of December, SAIFF 2013 celebrates its Opening Night with the NYC premiere of MONSOON  SHOOTOUT, showcasing the Cannes and Fantastic Fest hit that has film noir fans around the world cheering! Midway through the fest, SAIFF invites you  experience their celebrated 2013 Centerpiece title, Pakistan’s powerful, uplifting GOOD MORNING, KARACHI. And on Closing Night, the festival  throws open their doors for the New York Premiere of India’s acclaimed  2013 Oscar submission, THE GOOD ROAD – all with filmmakers in  attendance!

SAIFF 2013’s feature film lineup includes:

Anima State. Directed by Hammad Khan. 2013. U.K./Pakistan. In Urdu (with English subtitles). World Premiere. 80 min.

Ankhon Dekhi. Directed by Rajat Kapoor. 2013. India. In Hindi (with English subtitles). World Premiere. 108 min.

First Sight. Directed by Joya Dass. 2013. U.S./India. In Tamil (with English subtitles). World Premiere. 50 min.

I.D.. Directed by Kamal KM. 2012. India. In Hindi (with English subtitles). New York Premiere. 90 min.

Qissa.  Directed by Anup Singh. 2013. Germany/India/Netherlands/France. In Punjabi (with English subtitles). U.S. Premiere. 109 min.

Siddarth. Directed by Richie Mehta. 2013. Canada/India. In Hindi (with English subtitles). U.S. Premiere. 96 min.   

Tasher Desh. Directed by Q. 2012. India/Belgium. In Bengali (with English subtitles). New York Premiere. 118 min.

Opening Night Premiere:  MONSOON SHOOTOUT Directed by Amit Kumar. 2013. U.K./India. In Hindi (with English subtitles). New York Premiere. 88 min. Tuesday, December 3rd, 7:30PM – SVA Theater (333 West 23rd Street)

This acclaimed Cannes and Fantastic Fest hit explores the impact that one’s choices make on the lives of  others. As heavy monsoon rains lash the badlands of Mumbai, Adi, a  rookie cop out on his first assignment, faces a life altering decision  when he must decide whether to shoot or not to shoot. The film presents  three scenarios, all resulting from the decision that Adi makes. Each  decision takes him on a journey that pits him against a system that  demands a compromise on his morals. Finally, however, Adi and we come to understand that every choice has its price.

Centerpiece Premiere: GOOD MORNING, KARACHI Directed by Sabiha Sumar. 2013. Pakistan. In English and Urdu (with English subtitles). New York Premiere. 85 min. Friday, December 6th, 7:30PM at NYIT Auditorium (1871 Broadway)

Young Rafina is coming of age  in Karachi, with chance and  willfulness propelling her rise as a runway and billboard model. As she climbs the social ladder, she’s caught between two men with very  different visions of Pakistan – and the role of women. Arif, a partier,  dreams of a better world through  political action, but is molded by a  traditionalism that doesn’t  account for her dreams. Urbane and  ambitious Jamal is convinced the  fashion industry can help women shed their  chadors and lead Pakistan  into the modern world.
Rafina’s story  becomes the story of the  people living in Karachi who try to reconcile  the demands of tradition  and the aspirations of modernity. The film  weaves this contradiction  not only through its characters and their  turbulent lives, but through  the very landscape of Karachi, where  political extremism and fashion,  convention and novelty can – and do –  co-exist.

Closing Night Premiere: THE GOOD ROAD Directed by Gyan Correa. 2013. India. In Gujarati (with English subtitles). New York Premiere. 92 min. Sunday, December 8th, 7:30PM at SVA Theater (333 West 23rd Street)
State Highway 378, on the border of the Rann desert, is as beautiful as it is unsettling. Accidentally separated from his parents, 7 year-old Aditya  finds himself in the care of a truck driver and his assistant, both  operating just beyond the law – and being closed in on by the police.  Poonam is a 9 year-old girl looking to hitch a ride to her grandmother’s home, but tired and hungry, unwittingly ends up in a desolate brothel.  As the realization of where is dawns on her, she is forced to choose  between staying with the new friends she’s made or finding a ride on the highway.
The characters on The Good Road meet each twist, turn, dip, and rise – in the road and their fates – with stubborn hope. Take a journey  through a barren land, and into the heart of unseen India – where acts  of great compassion are shown to utter strangers.
The Tenth Annual South Asian International Film Festival runs from Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013 to Sunday, December 8th, 2013 in New York City, at the SVA Theater and NYIT Auditorium.

For additional information on SAIFF 2013, including screening dates, locations, featured guests, and ticketing information, please visit www.saiff.org.