Presented By:
Chowrangi & LRBT

Director :
Adnan Mailk

Cast :
N/A

Synopsis:
A country's identity is linked to the preservation of its history. Unfortunately, like the film prints fading away in the crumbling vaults of Lahore's film studios, Pakistan's collective ideology has also been bleached by the mismanagement, corruption and nepotism of Pakistan's various
self-serving rulers. Lollywood has reflected and adapted to the changing moods in Pakistan's socio-politico-cultural sphere over its tumultuous history, and has morphed from the sole source of family entertainment that unified the classes into a stigmatized sex and violence industry. In its slightly camp and overtly analytical style, this comprehensive documentary reconstructs the demise of Lollywood, and deconstructs the various forces that have sidelined Cinema Culture in Pakistan today. A first of its kind documentary, "Bhooli Hui Hoon Dastan", is a tribute to the Lollywood film industry and employs current footage from the Lahore studios, interviews with industry workers and critics, historical recordings and a multitude of songs and clips from famous (and infamous!) films.

Presented By:
ASHA for Education

Director :
V.G. Samant

Cast :
N/A

Synopsis:
US Premiere of the highly-anticipated animated adventure that was a major box-office hit in India. Follows baby Hanuman on his quest to befriend Lord Ram and Laxman in their search for Sita. One for the whole family.

SPOTLIGHT SHORT & FEATURE (DOUBLE BILL) AT SAIFF

(2 films - 1 price)
Presented By: JumpTV.com & IFP

REFLECTIONS (2005) INDIA

Director:
Bejoy Nambiar

Duration:
8 MINS

Synopsis:
The film is an abstract look at a nameless drifter, reflecting on his perceived notion of happiness.

Director :
Ben Rekhi

Cast :
Shabana Azmi
Noah Segan
Ajay Naidu
Christopher Masterson

Synopsis:
Leading the way into what promises to be a prominent genre in the near future, WATERBORNE addresses what used to be a hypothetical situation, a highly populated urban centre under terrorist attack. With a contaminated water source, Los Angeles is cast into turmoil, and with a shortage of vital resources how far will the average person go to ensure their own survival? Or to ensure the survival of loved ones using a kinetic and captivating approach, three seperate story threads are sewn together in a web of current issues that mirror our modern society. A sikh store owner and her son Vikram become victims of racial discrimination after raising the price of water during the shortage. The college students attempt to flee the increasingly chaotic atmosphere of Los Angeles and in doing so test the limits of their friendship. A duo of National Guardsmen are forced to confront issues of patriotism as they become upholders of peace during a city wide crisis. Colliding all of these vignettes into a climatic intersection, Ben Rekhi utilizes jarring personal stories to effectively create a sense of mass histeria in the mind of the viewer. With outstanding performances by the ensemble cast, a thorough display of resourceful filmmaking, and a start original score by the revered band Dredg, WATERBORNE succeeds in delivering a gripping exploration of the effects of fear on society and on the individual.

SHORT FILM: TIME AND THE HOUR RUN (2005) USA

Director :
Samir Patel

Showtime :
6:30PM

Cast :
Krishen Mehta, Samrat Chakrabarti, Manish Patel and Rajika Puri
with Meetu Chilana, Reena Shah, Sabina Shah, Sejal Shah, Anar Vilas, Bhavna Toor

Venue :
CLEARVIEW 62ND & BROADWAY

Duration :
14 MINS

Synopsis:
Haunted by visions of his late wife, a longtime Indian immigrant in the rural U.S.A. must realize the purpose of his life's journey or else succumb to his maddening grief.

CLOSING NIGHT PREMIERE : THE BLUE UMBRELLA (2005) INDIA

Director :
Vishal Bhardwaj

Cast :
N/A

Venue :
CLEARVIEW 62ND & BROADWAY

Duration :
90 MINS

Synopsis:
SAIFF is proud to present the Premiere of Bhardwaj's hotly anticipated follow-up to critically lauded MAQBOOL. Based on Ruskin Bond's novel, THE BLUE UMBRELLA tells the story of Binya, a young girl who discovers an enchanted blue umbrella that has a profound effect on the inhabitants of her mountain village.

(Tickets are for all films)
Presented By: Your Dil

THIS IS MY PAKISTAN (2005) USA

Director:
Mumtaz Hussain

Duration:
4 MINS

Synopsis:
A warm and sensitive portrayal of what Pakistan means to a young child living outside of Pakistan. As the child is painting a card for her grandfather who lives in Pakistan, the mixing bowl and paints become a reflection of the confusion the child feels of Pakistan’s history - from Allama Iqbal, to Jinnah to the bloody partition - until she realizes that Pakistan to her is like heaven. And as she fills in the lush greens of her heaven and her whole world colors up.

CHILD MARRIAGE (2005) INDIA

Director:
Neeraj Kumar

Duration:
87 MINS

Synopsis:
CHILD MARRIAGE is a revealing documentary that unveils a never before heard traditional practice where in children are engaged before birth. Is child marriage a blessing or a children human rights issue? This also film touches upon women and animal rights issues, discrimination against untouchables and social injustice.

TARANA (2005) INDIA

Director:
Nrupen Madhavi

Duration:
9 MINS

Synopsis:
Sans dialogue, the film encapsulates a small period in the life of a talented 12 year-old girl by the same name, and her passion for playing the piano.

SCRUM IN THE MUD WITH RAHUL BOSE (2005) INDIA

Director:
Simone Ahuja

Duration:
3 MINS

Synopsis:
Find out why Rahul Bose, the actor Time magazine calls 'The New Face of Bollywood' is championing rugby in a cricket dominated nation. In this fast-paced film, Bose exudes a passion for the sport both on and off the field.

Moderator :
Salmon Khokar

Speakers :
Manan Pandit- BHARAT
Beheroze Shroff- VOICES OF THE SIDIS
Rakhi Varma- INDIAN WITCHHUNT
Alessandra Zeka- HARSH BEAUTY

Program:
TBA

<% CALL ShowTickets(39,"#ADCCF7") %> Admission: VIP Ticket Holders ONLY! An Exclusive Engagement.

Includes: Open Bar & Hors D'ouvers