Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Miloš Forman film to be screened in 44th Karlovy Vary IFF 2009 in world premiere

Celebrated filmmaker Milos Forman will present his new film, A Walk Worthwhile, at the 44th Karlovy Vary IFF 2009.The presentation of the jazz opera A Walk Worthwhile (Dobře placená procházka) was originally a product of the Semafor theatre run by legendary writers Jiří Suchý and Jiří Šlitr, and the first premiere was held in 1965 in the Semafor theatre itself. The production was adapted for the television screen in 1966 by directors Ján Roháč and Miloš Forman.More than forty years later, the well known opera buffa A Walk Worthwhile made its triumphant return. The premiere of the new production took place on 22 April 2007 at the National Theatre in Prague. The link between the Semafor staging and the new performance is, on the one hand, Jiří Suchý as writer and actor playing the role of the Postman, and, on the other, filmmaker Miloš Forman, who directed A Walk Worthwhile with his son Petr; his other son Matěj Forman created the stage designs. The production was one of the major theatre events of the year, also for the collaboration between the world famous film director and his sons, celebrated theatre artists in their own right, both at home and abroad.As in the case of the original version, the new stage production of A Walk Worthwhile was also adapted for the screen. Initially, the filmmakers and producers intended to release the film A Walk Worthwhile only on DVD, however, since the outcome was a resounding success, it was decided that this unique film should be offered to cinema audiences as well.
Courtesy:Karlovy Vary festival news

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Anhad activists beaten up in Gujarat

The Hindu reports

NEW DELHI: Over two-dozen activists of ANHAD, a trust that works towards pluralism, secularism and democracy, were allegedly beaten up at Gandhinagar in Gujarat on Monday during an election campaign.

The attack took place in the afternoon when the ANHAD activists were campaigning in Naranpura in the Shastri Nagar area asking people to use their Constitutional rights and exercise their franchise.

“The campaign started in the morning and the activists formed three separate groups to reach out effectively to the electorate. It was around 1 p.m. when a large number of goons owing allegiance to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bharatiya Janata Party wielding lathis surrounded them. Our activists, including women, were abused and pushed around. Two of them, Sachin Pandya and Robin Soni, were allegedly kicked and punched all over,” said ANHAD founding member Shabnam Hashmi, at a press conference here.

The campaign aimed at awakening people towards their Constitutional rights, including right to vote, and exploding the “myth” of vibrant Gujarat was kicked-off on Sunday.

Ms. Hashmi said the attackers took away leaflets and other printed material carried by the ANHAD activists and threatened them with dire consequences if they reported the matter to the police. “Though the activists escaped with minor injuries, but it could have turned either way. It has happened to our activists many times in the past six months. Even lodging a First Information Report is dangerous in such cases. We are now planning to approach the Election Commission in the present case,” Ms. Hashmi added.

Alleging that the BJP cadres even stopped them from filing a police complaint, Sachin Pandya, said: “When we reached the Gatlodiya police station in the evening, we found a dozen BJP cadres standing near it. Not willing to take risk, we returned without filing a report. Now we are planning to approach the Police Commissioner.”

Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2009/04/21/stories/2009042157260400.htm)

Saturday, April 11, 2009

opinion poll by I.M.E.G - results announced

-U.D.F (Congress and allies may get11-14 seats and the L.D.F (C.P.I (M)
and allies may get 6-9 seats.
Institute For Monitoring Economic Growth ( I.M.E.G) ,a research organization based at Thiruvananthapuram , Kerala having a Psephology centre , has conducted an opinion poll in connection with the ensuing 15th Lok Sabha election-Parliament elections 2009 -in Kerala .The Lok Sabha elections are going to be conducted on 16th April 2009 in Kerala .The survey was conducted between April 3 and April 10 . The results were announced in a press conference held in the Press Club Hall, Thiruvananthapuram by Meera Sahib ,Director of the organization an . A total of 65418 eligible voters across 20 constituencies were surveyed from the State. Two types of swing surveys and an opinion poll were conducted using random sampling techniques and the results were pooled and final results prepared. The Survey results reveal that Congress and allies - U.D.F - are expected to get between 11-14 seats against one seat in 2004.The C.P.I (M) and allies may get 6-9 seats against 18 seats in 2004. BJP may not open account in this election in Kerala. Same is the case with B.S.P which is contesting in 20 seats and N.C.P contesting in 4 seats . The voters especially educated youth are strongly against the political parties having alliance with communal forces ,the survey reveals. The average voting percentage in 2004 L.S Election was 71.45. It will be less this time due to this factor ,the survey results say. The report further says that the CPI(M) led front may win in Kasaragod , Alathur ,Alappuzha ,Kollam ,Idukki and Attingal constituencies and there are winning chances in Kannur ,Vadakara,Kottayam constituencies. There is good prospects for Sasi Tharoor ,former Under Secretary General of U.N.O ,the Opinion Poll results forecast. The voters are not happy with the politicians and candidates having more wealth as they are not serving offices of profits, the survey results opine. The survey was conducted by a team of professional psephologists , Prof. M.M Safarulla Khan, A.M Joseph ,T.P.Mukundan and, P.V.Unni under the leadership of A. Meera Sahib ,the Director of the I.M.E.G.