The Film India World Wide (FIWW) begins

The Film India World Wide (FIWW) started today with the screening of the film ‘The Pool’ directed by Chris Smith. This has been shot entirely in Panaji, Goa by 36-year-old Chris Smith, and is made in Hindi, a language the director does not know. Its story follows Venkatesh, who works as a hotel house-boy alongside his staunch buddy, Jahangir. The two make extra money selling plastic bags to pedestrians. Venkatesh is mesmerized by the aquamarine glow of a backyard swimming pool, which he gazes from a mango tree. He gets to know the owners, a wealthy man (Nana Patekar) originally from Mumbai and his edgy daughter Ayesha, who take to him in their separate ways. This encounter changes the lives of the two boys, aspiring to better themselves without the benefit of any education or skills. The film’s leisured pace and seemingly effortless telling captures the essential spirit of Goan living, from its mansions, its music, its street life and its work-force. Director Smith is known for his searching, introspective documentaries and their natural setting and universality of theme – attributes that he brings with gentle understanding to his film, The Pool. The other movies to be screened in the FIWW Section are: ‘AIDS Jaago’ comprising of four short films directed by Mira Nair, Santosh Sivan, Vishal Bhardwaj and Farhan Akhtar and ‘Amal’ directed by Richie Mehta.Retrospective of Tapan Sinha’s movies began at IFFI-07 with the screening of highly acclaimed film Kabuliwala. Under the section, four of his acclaimed movies would be screened. The other movies are, ‘Sagina Mahato’, ‘Adalt O Ekti Meye’ and ‘Aadmi Aur Aurat’.