Rainbow Of Films At Festival

London's Rainbow Film Society is about to present its 9th film festival.
Taking place at Rich Mix Cultural Foundation, Genesis Cinema, the Brady Arts Centre and Museum in the Docklands, the Rainbow Film Festival will celebrate the diversity of Asian culture this year with 24 films from 10 countries, including Bangladesh, India, Iran, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Turkey and the UK.
It will also be showcasing established artists, as well as giving a voice to emerging local talent.
Commenting on the festival's line-up, film critic and Chair of the Rainbow Film Festival Committee Derek Malcom said: "Our purpose is to allow our patrons to see films which they may otherwise have missed and to extend the boundaries of what they can see in the commercial cinema.
"Our programme for schools hopes to instil in young people a taste for good cinema that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
"In that sense, the Rainbow Festival attempts to be educational. But we hope everyone will find it entertaining too and that the whole family will appreciate our varied programme of features, documentaries and shorts," he said.
Opening the Festival on Sunday 25 May is the screening of Nanhe Jaiselmer at Rich Mix Cultural Foundation.
Directed by Indian director Samir Karnik, the film is a heart-warming story about the strength of childhood imagination and the power of friendship.
A 10 year-old camel boy Nanhe has a dream that dominates his young life: to meet his idol, his 'dost' (friend), the aging Bollywood screen actor, Bobby Deol.
With the help of his sister, Suman, he writes to Bobby every day; sharing his news, his battles and triumphs with his 'friend'. Featuring great cinematography from Binod Pradhan (Land of the Kings), and starring Bobby Deol himself, this is an un-missable film for the whole family.
The Closing Night Screening on Sunday 1 June will be the UK Premiere of Spartacus '71, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki's latest film. Set against the backdrop of Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War, Spartacus '71 tells the tale of a family's struggle for survival. Deeply moving and at times harrowing, the film skilfully takes on profound themes played out amidst one family's tragic experiences.
Meanwhile, one major innovation of this year's festival is the establishment of a jury of well known film critics, established Asian film-makers and key members of the local community, which will award prizes for the Best Film and Best Director.
Audiences will also be able to choose their favourite film by filling the specially provided forms. The award ceremony will take place before the screening of the closing night film.
See: www.rainbowfilmsociety.com
(BMcC)