The Toronto International Film Festival is the most recognised film festival showcasing work of legendary directors. It is considered like a litmus test where the winners are recognised worldwide and get recognition in various film festivals. Even considered as the Oracle of Oscars by many, one cannot deny the reality behind the statement. Now, as we all gear up for TIFF, it is a matter of prestige for Indian cinema that out of four filmmakers showcasing their work three directors are women. The three movies are Moothan of Geeta Mohandas; The Sky is Pink by Shonali Bose and Bombay Rose by Gitanjali Rao.
The Sky is Pink has is under the radar as it is a real-life story of Aisha Chaudhary, a Delhite born with severe case of Pulmonary Fibrosis. How to come out of tunnel of darkness when there is no light at the end of the tunnel? A family’s fighting every day against death to get one day more to live with their daughter is the central idea if the beautiful narration by Shonali Bose.
How the trajectory of a marriage changes amidst the challenges of parenthood of a daughter with genetic disorder. The movie has spread its wings as it has portrayed different aspect of every relationship. There is a melange of characters and stories including a love story, a fighting couple, identity crisis of a father and a daughter who considers herself as the villain of the family.
Bombay Rose, by Gitanjali Rao, the writer, director, and animator of the film is based on the life of a woman who must choose between family welfare and true love. It questions the rights of migrants in Mumbai who work day and night to survive with minimal resources in the city with maximum potential. It examines the place of religion in love. It portrays the hard life of a common man whose escape from reality is movies, but what happens when the illusion becomes a reality? The enchanted love for the city, the people and the forbidden love with a man from different religion forms the foundation of Bombay Rose. Its portrayal in animation is a breath of fresh air and subtly raises a sensitive issue with a tinge of Bollywood spice.
Moothan by Gita Mohandas is an adventure thriller, where the protagonist sneaks out of his sleepy island Lakshadweep to find his long lost elder brother. The bilingual creative thriller is translated as The Elder One. The ten year old boy with a contact number at his disposal sets on the long journey towards the city of dreams in a hope to reunite with his missing brother.
All the three movies are of different genre and promising. It is a matter of honour for Indian cinema that three of the ace film director’s movies have been selected for the Toronto International Film Festival. We hope that all the films perform exceptionally well and bring accolades to the Indian film industry.
