SACF South Asian Cinema in UK

London 20-29 June 2019
Birmingham 21 June - 1 July 2019
Manchester 26-29 June 2019

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Every Wednesday from 20 June - 25 July

Studio, BFI, Southbank, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT
6:30pm – 8:30pm

£72 (£60 concs)

The Book and the Film: The Literature Behind Hindi Cinema

This six-session evening course will explore a wide selection of Indian films that have been inspired by great works of fiction.

During this six-session evening course, Lalit Mohan Joshi, director of the South Asian Cinema Foundation (SACF) will explore a wide selection of Indian films that have been inspired by great works of fiction; from early beginnings in the silent era through to the present day, including works from masters such as Satyajit Ray and Bimal Roy.

£72 (£60 concs)

In partnership with SACF and in association with the Indian High Commission, the BFI and Hindi Samiti, UK.

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Thursday 10 August 2017 | 11 am

NFT3 BFI, Southbank, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT

Seniors’ Free Talk: Indian Films & Partition by Lalit Mohan Joshi, Director, SACF, followed by screening of his film Beyond Partition.

Lalit Mohan Joshi will present his film Beyond Partition (UK-India 2006. 65min), which explores the trauma of Partition and its impact on filmmakers including Gulzar and Govind Nihalani (director of Tamas, see below). The film also features directors Sathyu, Shyam Benegal, script writer Shama Zaidi and Sabiha Sumar. Connecting past and present, it highlights issues that impact on Hindu-Muslim and India-Pakistan relations today.

To book, please ring: 020 7928 3232). Under 60s normal BFI matinee price.

Free for over-60s (SOLD OUT! Sorry no more seats available!)

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Saturday 12th August 2017

NFT 3, BFI, Southbank, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT
11am –5pm (this includes a 60 minutes’ interval)

Screening of Govind Nihalani’s Partition epic

Tamas

Govind Nihalani will introduce his film and be presented with SACF’s Excellence in Cinema Award
There will be a Q & A with the filmmaker

An epic drama set against the backdrop of riot-stricken North India on the eve of Partition in 1947. Nathu (Puri), an outcast, is hired to kill a pig, whose carcass he’s later appalled to find in front of the mosque. A riot follows and, ridden with guilt, Nathu takes his ailing mother and pregnant wife and leaves town. Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists protested against the TV broadcast of this popular work, and director Govind Nihalani was put under police protection. ‘Making Tamas was an act of faith...’ he said. ‘When Partition happened, I was a little kid but my first memory of fear, panic and blood comes from that period.’ The stellar star cast includes AK Hangal, Uttara Baokar and acclaimed writer Bhisham Sahni, on whose novel this film is based.

Now BFI Southbank will provide 2 tickets for the Partition Epic TAMAS for the price of one to all friends of the SACF. Price for one ticket is £11. You can now get two tickets for £11. Please quote the following BFI Promotion Code when booking online or on phone from BFI Box Office as follows:

INDIA241

For tickets, please ring the BFI Box Office on 020 7928 3232 (11.30am - 20.30pm) or to buy online - Click here

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Saturday 12 August 2017 | BFI Southbank, NFT3, 11:00 am

On the 70th year of Indian Independence and Partition, SACF will honour veteran Indian filmmaker, Govind Nihalani, the maker of the epic Partition film, Tamas based on Bhisham Sahni’s Hindi novel of the same name.

Govind Nihalani’s seminal films include Aakrosh (Cry of the Wounded, 1980) and ground breaking Ardh Satya (Half Truth, 1983) that became a landmark in its gritty portrayal of the nexus between Indian police and the ruling political class. The film catapulted the protagonist Om Puri to a most sought after actor for the Indian new wave as well as the popular cinema.

Govind Nihalani has received six coveted National film Awards that includes best cinematography for Shyam Benegal’s Junoon, best direction for Aakrosh (1980), Ardh Satya (1983), Tamas (Darkness,1988), Drishti (1990) and Hazar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998).

South Asian Cinema Foundation (SACF) has earlier honoured M.S. Sathyu (2004), Adoor Gopalakrishnan (2006), Saeed Akhtar Mirza (2008), Girish Kasravalli (2009), Gulzar (2010), Shyam Benegal (2013) and Vishal Bhardwaj (2014).    

Govind Nihalani was born on 19 December 1940 in Karachi, Sindh province (now in Pakistan) and his family migrated to India during Partition. He started his career as an Assistant Cinematographer to the legendary V. K. Murthy, the cinematographer of classics like Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), Pyaasa (1957) and Kagaz Ke Phool (1959).

Govind Nihalani earned his reputation as a director of photography (DOP) by filming Shyam Benegal’s early feature films like Ankur (1973), Nishant (1974), and Manthan (1975), Junoon (1977) and Bhumika (1978. He was also one of the cameramen for Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi (1982).

Nihalani’s Party (1984), exposes the hypocrisy of Mumbai’s ideological and social elite, while Drishti (1990), written by novelist Shashi Deshpande is a study of the failing relationship of an upper-class urban couple.

After receiving SACF’s ‘Excellence in Cinema’ Award, Govind Nihalani will introduce Tamas. The screening will be followed by question and answer session with Govind Nihalani.

TAMAS (Darkness, 1987)

An epic drama set against the backdrop of riot-stricken North India on the eve of Partition in 1947. Nathu (Puri), an outcast, is hired to kill a pig, whose carcass he’s later appalled to find in front of the mosque. A riot follows and, ridden with guilt, Nathu takes his ailing mother and pregnant wife and leaves town. Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists protested against the TV broadcast of this popular work, and director Govind Nihalani was put under police protection. ‘Making Tamas was an act of faith...’ he said. ‘When Partition happened, I was a little kid but my first memory of fear, panic and blood comes from that period.’ The stellar star cast includes AK Hangal, Uttara Baokar and acclaimed writer Bhisham Sahni, on whose novel this film is based.

TAMAS, India 1987
Dir Govind Nihalani
With Om Puri, Deepa Sahi, Dina Pathak, Bhisham Sahni, Amrish Puri
298min, Video, Hindi with EST
7hrs (including 1hr interval)

The screening will be followed by a discussion in the Blue Room.

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Sunday 13th August from 1-3pm
The Indian Gymkhana Club, Thornbury Avenue, London TW7 4NQ

Indian Gymkhana Club & South Asian Cinema Foundation (SACF) will welcome filmmaker Govind Nihalani by organising a lunch in his honour.

At 1 pm, SACF will screen part of Govind Nihalani’s Tamas on the impact of Partition of India on Punjabis.

Film screening: FREE

Lunch: £20 per person.
ALL WELCOME!
Book NOW by ringing this number: 020 8568 4009
(Daily from 12 noon – 11pm)

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Monday 14th August 2017 | 11am-12.15pm

at: Studio BFI, Southbank, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT

Indian filmmaker Govind Nihalani will deliver SACF’s 14th Dadasaheb Phalke Memorial lecture on film actor Om Puri titled:

“Om Puri: The Face of His Times”

SEATS ARE VERY LIMITED. So, please book your place NOW to avoid disappointment.

To book email: lalitmohanjoshi@gmail.com or ring SACF on: 0780 173 5646

Entrance is FREE!
Book now! Donations welcome to helps us sustain our work.

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