Two Indian films in Un Certain Regard at Cannes

Two Indian films in Un Certain Regard at Cannes

NEW DELHI: Two Indian films have been chosen for the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes International Film Festival, while renowned British-Indian filmmaker Asif Kapadia’s Amy will be featured in a Midnight Screening.

 

No Indian film has made it in the main competition of the festival being held from 13 to 24 May.

 

The Richa Chadda-starrer Masaan is the debut feature by Neeraj Ghaywan. “I am thrilled to be going again to Cannes with a movie! Over the moon, and excited about this for India and the team of Masaan... It's a huge deal," said Chadda, who had earlier been to the festival with the Gangs Of Wasseypur team.

 

Masaan is an Indo-French collaboration co-produced by Anurag Kashyap under the Phantom Films banner. The film also stars Shweta Tripathi, Sanjay Mishra and Vicky Kaushal in a gritty drama shot in Benaras.

 

"#Cannes2015 Masaan (Fly Away Solo) by Neeraj Ghaywan #UnCertainRegard," confirmed the official Twitter handle of Cannes film festival. Ghaywan too took to Twitter to express his delight. “Happiest tweet I will ever put up. Our first film Masaan is selected at Un Certain Regard section of Cannes 2015," he tweeted.

 

Gurvinder Singh's Punjabi film Chauthi Koot (The Fourth Direction) is the other film in the section. Singh, who shot to fame with Anhe Ghore Da Daan, has turned his attention to state-sponsored crimes in Punjab of the 1980s and the resistance movement it spawned.

 

Asif Kapadia's Amy is a documentary on the late Rhythm&Blues singer Amy Winehouse who was found dead at her residence of suspected alcohol poisoning at the age of 27 in July 2011. She achieved worldwide fame with her album Back to Black, which won five Grammies.

 

As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, Emmanuelle Bercot will open Cannes with her film La Tete Haute.

 

There are 17 films in the main competition, fourteen in the Un Certain Regard, four out of competition, two Midnight Screenings, and six Special Screenings.