Multicity Film Festival
Behind The Guns, Real Human Drama
Tired of the usual fare served up at multiplexes? Get set for a movie marathon and a bouquet of European films coming your way. The 21st edition of the European Film Festival visits twelve Indian cities and the tour will continue until August. On this diverse platter will be 24 films from as many countries, bringing the very best of European cinema to your doorstep. If you’re looking for highlights, there is Jack, a thriller which premiered at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival and is the story of two abandoned brothers, one aged six and the other ten. The comedy-drama Cats Don’t Have Vertigo—about the relationship between a teenage boy and a widowed lady—swept all awards in its native Portugal. Then there is the Danish drama, Stille Hjerte, which has three generations of a family coming together for their dying mother. Another must-watch is the Belgian film Les Rayures du Zebre (Scouting for Zebras), a socio-cultural commentary on the lives of Jose, a football agent, and Yaya, his discovery in the Ivory Coast. Finally, there is the award-winning Polish drama by Lukasz Palkowski, Bogowie, a biopic on the early life and challenges faced by cardiac surgeon Zbigniew Religa, who performed Poland’s first successful heart transplant. This festival promises to be one unmissable for film buffs. Till Jun 19, Delhi; Till Jun 18, Chennai; Jun 8-18, Chandigarh
Calcutta Theatre
The Oomph In Politics
It is double-theatre treat for Calcuttans. The Nautanki Company will be presenting The Surrealists and SnoopDog. The former, directed by Tejodipto Panda, revolves around Freud’s theory of consciousness and focuses of the lives of three historical figures—Mohammed bin Tughlaq, Adolf Hitler and—hold your breath—Kanhaiya Kumar. It is an interesting take on the identities and egos of this interestingly assembled trio. The second play, SnoopDog, is being performed by students of Delhi’s St Stephens College and is based on a short story, The Dog of Thithwal, by Saadat Hasan Manto. The quirky plot follows the tale of a stray mongrel that is caught, quite literally, between a dog-fight. It also speaks of two rival groups who have preferences for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food respectively. Jun 9, Gyan Mancha
This Too
Jaipur Poetry Calling out to all amateur poets out there, the Jaipur poetry slam invites young poets to present their original compositions. One can, of course, sit back and simply listen. Jun 11, Uno Dos Tres
And Also
Bangalore Art
Brigade In Colour
Coming Bangalore’s way this month is an interesting take on life in the city by Archana Narendra, an architect by profession and an illustrator by passion. The artist, who graduated from the Glasgow School of Art with an elective in drawing, mostly works with pens and ink, as is evident in the sketch above. Daily activities, architecture, cities and culture are what inspire her the most. Highlighting elements in her paintings with watercolours, a closer look at her art reveals intricacies that are easy to miss at a glance. On display will be selected snapshots of her city and how she has used it through her art. Jun 1-21, Alliance Francaise
Mumbai Comedy
Split Screens
East India Comedy, a group popular for their internet videos and gigs, is in town. With six performers, the comedy company had a record 130 shows in 2013. They are all set to present their new show, with new panels, comics, crowd discussions and more. Packed with game shows and out of the blue stupidity, it promises to be one hilarious evening. Be prepared to break into a funny fit! Jun 7, Canvas Laugh Club
