Films for January through March, 2016, Titli (Butterfly), Dhanak (Rainbow), and Kirumi (Virus)
Astoria, Queens, New York (January 27, 2015)—Museum of the Moving Image continues India’s New Wave, a monthly showcase for contemporary Indian films, with three exciting new films in January, February, and March 2016. This season kicks off on January 31, with the crime thriller Titli (Butterfly), which features the breakout debut performance by Shashank Arora, who is currently starring in the much-talked-about Indian sex comedyBrahman Naman at the Sundance Film Festival. The directorial debut of Kanu Behl, Titli captures the Delhi underground with gritty Super 16mm film, and was a selection of Un Certain Regard at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. The film is produced by filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee and Yash Raj Films.
In February, India’s New Wave will feature Dhanak (Rainbow), a new film by Nagesh Kukunoor, one of the pioneers of the new wave of Indian cinema, who is best known for his films Hyderabad Blues, Iqbal, and Dor. A family friendly film, Dhanak follows two orphaned siblings on a quest to find Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The film won the Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury for the best feature-length film at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival.
In March, the Museum will screen Kirumi (Virus), directed by Anucharan Murugaiyan, another first-time director who is pushing the boundaries in contemporary Tamil cinema. The film is co-written by M. Manikandan, whose own The Crow’s Egg screened previously in this series.
The full schedule is included below. Tickets are $12 ($9 for senior citizens and students / $6 for children 6–12 / free for members at the Film Lover and Kids Premium levels and above). Order tickets online at movingimage.us.
Major support for India’s New Wave has been provided by the Ford Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Consulate General of India in New York and Con Edison.
SCHEDULE FOR ‘INDIA’S NEW WAVE,’ JANUARY–MARCH 2016
Unless otherwise noted, screenings take place at Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35 Avenue in Astoria, New York. Tickets are $12 ($9 seniors and students / $6 children 3–12) and free for Museum members at the Film Lover and Kids Premium levels and above. Advance tickets are available online at http://movingimage.us. Ticket purchase may be applied toward same-day admission to the Museum’s galleries.
Titli (Butterfly)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 4:30 P.M.
Dir. Kanu Behl. 2014, 124 mins. DCP. In Hindi with English subtitles. Kanu Behl’s acclaimed first feature follows young Titli (Shashank Arora), whose name translates to “butterfly,” as he navigates the unforgiving social terrain of his crime-addled family and rundown neighborhood of Delhi. While his older brothers carjack their way through the underworld, Titli tries to renounce his violent lineage. Though their arranged marriage misfires, Titli finds an unlikely ally in wife Neelu (Shivani Raghuvanshi), who has her own demons to outrun. A Un Certain Regard selection at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, Titli employs numerous nonprofessional actors and gritty Super 16mm film, and runs counter to expectations of Bollywood bombast in fashioning a scathing bildungsroman with the texture of a 70s neo-noir. Produced by Dibakar Banerjee and iconic studio Yash Raj Films.
Dhanak (Rainbow)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2:00 P.M.
Dir. Nagesh Kukunoor. 2015, 103 mins. DCP. In Hindi with English subtitles. This enchanting modern fable from director Nagesh Kukunoor tells the story of two orphans, ten-year-old Pari (Hetal) and her eight-year-old blind brother Chotu (Krrish Chhabbria), who live in a desert village in Rajasthan. Chotu wants nothing more than to have his vision back and Pari—inspired by a message she sees on a Shah Rukh Khan poster—promises him he’ll get it before his birthday arrives. Determined to restore her brother’s sight before his ninth birthday, Pari leads Chotu on a journey across the desert to where the legendary actor is shooting his next movie. Along the way they encounter a host of colorful characters who both help and hinder their passage, leading to an exciting and magical finale. Dhanak won The Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury for the best feature-length film at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival.
Kirumi (Virus)
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 4:30 P.M.
Dir. Anucharan Murugaiyan. 2015, 98 mins. DCP. In Tamil with English subtitles. With Kathir, Charlie, Reshmi Menon. First-time director Murugaiyan delivers a riveting, white-knuckle thriller from a script co-written with rising-star Tamil filmmaker M. Manikandan (The Crow’s Egg). Their collaboration is a fine example of Tamil cinema’s recent emergence as a force on the world stage. Kathir, an irresponsible young man full of get-rich-quick ideas and little follow-through, stumbles through life with the support of his loving wife and enabler friends. After a night in jail, he uses his knowledge of the city’s illegal activities to gain favor with the Chennai cops, starting a new career as a top police informant. Kathir uses his newfound power to orchestrate a raid on some criminals who embarrassed him in the past, but this only compromises his hidden identity and endangers his loved ones—the harsh consequences of tattling on the city’s most ruthless gangsters.
