Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Prague Indian Film Festival, where from October 12 to 14 at Kino Světozor, you’ll be transported into the heart of the Indian subcontinent through an enticing array of Indian films. This annual festival, known for its vibrant mix of Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, and Bengali cinema, comes complete with Czech and English subtitles for a diverse audience, culminating in a Bollywood-style dance-off extravaganza.
This year’s edition of the festival focuses on films produced over the past two years in both large studios and independent film houses scattered across India. These films, often referred to as “masala movies,” have seen a significant surge in popularity, offering a delightful blend of entertainment and cultural insights.
Beyond the colorful and melodramatic exteriors of these movies, emerging young filmmakers are infusing new life into Bollywood traditions. They’re bringing to light contemporary social issues and offering fresh perspectives. To add depth to the cinematic experience, short documentaries provide a peek into the rich tapestry of Indian culture and everyday life.
Thursday, Oct. 12: In the film “Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway,” we delve into the lives of Debika Chatterjee and her husband Aniruddha, leading a peaceful existence in Norway with their children until the local child protection authority intervenes, placing the children in institutional care. Loosely inspired by expat Sagarika Chakraborty’s real-life case, this movie questions traditional Indian family dynamics while also scrutinizing the Norwegian authorities for their cultural insensitivity and lack of empathy.
Friday, Oct. 13: In 2018, the North Indian metropolis of Allahabad underwent a name change to Prayagraj, a Sanskrit name highlighting its significance as a Hindu pilgrimage site. In director Faraz Ali’s film “Shoebox,” the loss of the city’s former spirit accompanying the renaming is portrayed through the story of Mampu, a young woman who travels to Islamabad to care for her ailing father, Madhav. Simultaneously, she faces the impending demolition of his once-popular single-screen cinema.
Saturday, Oct. 14: “Once Upon a Time in Calcutta” tells the story of Ela, who is heartbroken by the tragic loss of her young daughter and plans to leave her home to start afresh. However, financial struggles force her to attempt to persuade her half-brother to sell the dilapidated theater where her mother once performed. Director Aditya Vikram Sengupta, a native of Calcutta, pays tribute to his hometown in this haunting film, showcasing the city’s rich cultural history and its role as a hotbed for local revolutionary movements.
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Bollywood at the festival’s closing party on October 14 at P.M. Cluband. DJ Deepak will spin the biggest Bollywood hits of the last two decades, complemented by captivating dance performances from Bollywood Naplno Dance & Yoga Centre. Don’t miss the raffle with exciting prizes to cap off this cinematic celebration.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Zoomer Zest journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
