The Indian Panorama

Tag: Mira Nair

  • Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani scripts history, first South Asian to be New York mayor

    Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani scripts history, first South Asian to be New York mayor

    The 34-year-old Democratic Socialist quotes the first PM of India from his famous “Tryst with Destiny” speech of 1947 to reflect his own agenda of revitalization, equality and tackling corruption

    NEW YORK (TIP): “A moment comes but rarely in history,” said New York’s winning mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, as he addressed a few thousand core campaign volunteers at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater in New York last night, “when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance.

    “Tonight,” he added, now rephrasing Jawaharlal Nehru, “we have stepped out from the old into the new.” Zohran’s words echoed through the room, resonating deeply and touching upon the various aspects of one’s being – migration, belonging and freedom.

    His parents, the Punjabi filmmaker of Indian origin, Mira Nair, and the noted anthropologist Mahmood Mamdani as well as his wife, the artist Rama Duwaji of Syrian descent, stood proudly in the crowd, a first family of immigrants who must have taken seriously the words inscribed beneath the Statue of Liberty. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” “Together,” Zohran said, the first Muslim mayor-designate of Indian origin, to thunderous cheer, “we will usher in a generation of change”.

    The 34-year-old Democratic Socialist was also pointing towards Donald Trump, whose contemptuous dismissal of him through the campaign and endorsement of Mamdani’s opponent, the scandal-hit former Democrat Andrew Cuomo, as well as his other opponents, gave the campaign a definite edge.

    “They and their ilk should turn the volume up to the sound of change…. New York, tonight you have delivered a mandate for change, a mandate for a new kind of politics, a mandate for a city we can afford.”

    Mamdani secured over 50 per cent of the vote, defeating Cuomo with 40 per cent and Republican nominee Curtis Silwa, who garnered a mere 7 per cent of the vote.

    According to the New York Board of Elections, two million votes were cast for the first time in this election since 1969. He will be inaugurated as the 111th mayor of New York in January.

    Mamdani’s historic victory to run the city of more than 8.4 million people is seen as a comeback of progressive politics, with Mamdani vowing to prioritize working-class issues as he proposed initiatives like free childcare, rent-freeze, free bus services and government-run grocery stores to make New York affordable to live.

    The road ahead, however, will be far from easy as Republicans have long questioned Mamdani’s ability to actuate on change, whether it’s tax hike or free buses. But the Mayor-elect is aware this idealism doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and it requires tireless advocacy and action to shift a perspective that has lost its way to convenience. Certainly, real listening will come into play. What we do now know is that the world is trembling itself into a new existence, and as Zohran said, “In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light.”
    (Also read on page 2 : Stop Rhetoric, Start Action)
    (Source: The Tribune)

  • LAAPFF CELEBRATES CREATIVE VOICES IN 38TH EDITION

    LAAPFF CELEBRATES CREATIVE VOICES IN 38TH EDITION

    DIRECTOR MIRA NAIR RECEIVES LAAPFF LEGACY AWARD

    By Mabel Pais

    The best of Asian Pacific American films and filmmakers from around the world come to Los Angeles at the 38th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) celebrating New Artists, Legends, Leaders, Creators, Indigenous Voices, and World Premieres. The Festival takes place May 5-13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. It features an exciting hybrid lineup of in-person programming, and virtual programming for audiences at home in Southern California and beyond. To learn more, visit festival.vcmedia.org/2022

    “In our 38th edition, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival continues to transform itself to reflect our ever-evolving artists and experiences,” says Executive Director Francis Cullado. “In a time when our community is dealing straight up with anti-Asian Hate crimes, living through an uncertain pandemic, and adjusting to the ongoing global issues affecting all of us, our festival is instilling a sense of pride, respect and community through art and film. These stories connect us to one another and fill our lives with a sense of purpose. This year, we share a renewed collectiveness to inspire creativity and support collaboration, and the opportunity to gather and celebrate our histories and our lives from all corners of the world.”

    THE LAAPFF LEGACY AWARD TO MIRA NAIR

    This year, the festival uplifts director Mira Nair as a pioneer whose storytelling has received industry and critical acclaim, and raised visibility for South Asian narratives. LAAPFF is delighted to present this year’s LAAPFF Legacy Award to director Mira Nair for the way her nuanced narratives reflect an authentic family voice and prompt critical reflection. LAAPFF audiences can watch a Special Presentation of Nair’s award-winning feature SALAAM BOMBAY! on the big screen. Additionally, virtual audiences at home can watch an artist conversation with Nair.

    FILM LINEUP: FILMS OF INDIA, FILMMAKERS OF INDIAN ORIGIN

    Several narrative, documentary and short films of India or by filmmakers of Indian origin are featured in the Festival:

    SALAAM BOMBAY!

    DIR: Mira Nair l India l Drama l Hindi, English l 1988 l 1h 53m l Special Presentation Premiere

    After destroying his older brother’s motorbike in retaliation for his constant bullying, 11-year-old Krishna (Shafiq Syed) is sent to a traveling circus to earn money to pay for the bike’s repairs, but soon winds up in the streets of Bombay’s poorest slums. There, he befriends the drug dealer Chillum (Raghubir Yadav) and the beautiful young prostitute Sola Saal (Chanda Sharma), while trying to make enough money at a neighborhood tea stall to repay his debt to his family.

    Stay The Night

    DIR: Renuka Jeyapalan l Narr Feat l Canada l Drama, Romance l English l Subtitled l 2022 l 1h 34m l West Coast Premiere

    After being snubbed from a promotion she was wishing for, Grace joins her friend for a night out. Although the night clubs are not her usual scene, she meets Carter, a famous NHL player with his own personal baggage. Together, they roam the streets of Toronto in the hopes of finding a panacea for their lost souls. Kim’s Convenience Store star Andrea Bang reunites with director Renuka Jeyapalan in this lighthearted drama that takes us through the awkward moments of modern day romance – moments that can make many of us laugh or cry.

    Istikhaara, New York

    DIR: Yasir Masood l USA l Narr Feat l Coming of Age, Drama l English, Hindi, Urdu l 2022 l 1h 26m l World Premiere

    Reza, a twenty-year-old aspiring Broadway actor and a food delivery courier hustles to make ends meet. Navigating through the complicated relationships with his worried parents, undecided lovers, and motley crew, he struggles to find peace within himself while facing the reality of daily life in New York.

    Holy Cowboys

    DIR: Varun Chopra l India, USA l Coming of Age, Doc, Social Issues l Gujarati, Hindi l Subtitled l 2021 l 24m

    A Hindu teen and his friends tread the world of retributive justice of a ‘cow protection’ vigilante group to end consumption of beef, exploring what it means to be a savior of the holy cow in modern day India.

    The Return

    DIR: Hena Ashraf l India, USA l Drama, Family, LGBTQIA+, Social Issues l

    English, Urdu l Subtitled l 2021 l 18m

    A writer-director struggles with her profound sense of loss after the sudden death of her father, who dies while visiting his homeland of India. Hena wrestles with coming to terms with their strained relationship, by the only way she knows how: making a film.

    Subscribe / Follow

    DIR: Faroukh Virani l USA l Comedy, Drama, Human Rights, Social Issues l English l 2022 l 15m l World Premiere

    After the unfortunate murder of an unarmed Black man by the police, an Indian social media influencer code switches up his online platform to present solidarity, but gets challenged by his peers when they find faults in his messaging.

    Crossroads

    DIR: Sarita Khurana l USA l Doc l Family, Human Rights l English, Hindi, Punjabi l 2022 l 14m l World Premiere

    In the aftermath of the FedEx mass shooting in Indianapolis, the Sikh community grieves the loss of four of its members, while navigating the investigation into what happened and why this took place.

    Ramkali

    DIR: Adnan Hussain l India, Pakistan, USA l Adventure, Arthouse, Drama, Environmental, Family, Fantasy l Sindhi l Subtitled l 2021 l 12m l

    North American Premiere

    Bijal, a former goat herder with mystical musical abilities wanders the deserts of Sindh, in search of purpose after suffering a severe trauma. Based on Islamic Sufi poetry, Rajasthani puppetry and Sindhi music, the story brings rich cultural traditions to cinematic form.

    Local Middle Schooler

    DIR: Sanjna Bharadwaj l USA l Animation, Comedy, Coming of Age, Women l English l 2021 l 11m l West Coast Premiere

    Anagha Narayan is your average eighth grader. She’s a people pleaser, she’s insecure, and she wants nothing more than to have clear skin. Her life changes drastically when she wishes on a fallen eyelash and her wish is granted: she has the clearest skin she’s ever had.

    Man Brows

    DIR: Rohan Srinivasan l USA l Coming of Age, Drama, Family, LGBTQIA+ l English l 2021 l 9m l LA Premiere

    A story about mothers, sons, and undying love, MAN BROWS follows RISHI, an Indian-American teenage boy who desperately wants to get his eyebrows threaded and KAJAL, a threading salon owner who despises that her young son has developed a fascination with wearing her clothes.

    Today Is Wednesday

    DIR: Pulkit Datta l USA l Doc, Human Rights, Social Issues l English l Subtitled l 2022 l 8m l World Premiere

    Made entirely of crowdsourced footage, this is a day in the life of several Asian Americans at home during the Covid-19 lockdowns. An exploration of the mundane.

    To The Letter

    DIR: Nirav Bhakta l USA l Action, Drama, Fantasy, Social Issues l English, Hindi l 2021 l 5m

    To The Letter The mission of School on Wheels is to enhance educational opportunities for homeless children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The goal is to shrink the gaps in their education and provide them with the highest level of education possible. The program spans six counties in Southern California.

    A New Normal

    DIR: Asavari Kumar l India, USA l Family, International l English l 2020 l 3m

    Subverting the limitations of digital intimacy, A New Normal seeks to define the meaning of home and belonging through the musings of a family spread across different timezones.

    COMPLETE FILM LINEUP

    For the complete film schedule, including Opening Night Selection, Centerpiece Weekend, and Special Presentations & Events, visit festival.vcmedia.org/2022/schedule, #LAAPFF2022

    TICKETS

    For Tickets, visit laapff2022.eventive.org

    (Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Cuisine, Health & Wellness and Spirituality)