FIRAAQ to be screened at Telluride Film Festival

FIRAAQ to be screened at Telluride Film Festival

A Percept Picture Company production and Nandita Das’s directorial debut film ‘FIRAAQ’ is all set for it’s another achievement and that too well before its release. Firaaq will be screened at the Telluride Film Festival. Telluride is arguably the most prestigious film festival in North America and one of the most loved festivals in the world and is starting on August 29, 2008 and will conclude on September 1, 2008. The film has a whole range of accomplished actors, like Nasseruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, Dipti Naval, Raghubir Yadav, Sanjay Suri and Tisca Chopra and some new talents like Shahana Goswami and Nowaz.

This year’s 35th Festival promises to continue the tradition of being a launch pad for films that go on to be critical favourites, art house winners and Oscar nominees. Some of the films that started their journey in Telluride’s astute selections include “Lost in Translation,” “Brokeback Mountain,” “Capote,” Crying Game”, “Lives of Others,” “Into the Wild,” “Little Children”, “Walk the Line”.

The unique policy of Telluride of never announcing its program of some 40 features until opening day underscores the festivals focus on substance over hype. The filmmakers attend the weekend event, which features rare opportunities for interaction and inspiration among fellow artists and with the public.

"The Telluride Film Festival represents the rarest jewel in the crown of the festival-going experience. It is the most open, democratic and collegial of festivals, in addition to being one of the best programmed and run." – Todd McCarthy, The Variety Guide to Film Festivals.

It is a great honour for Telluride, India and Nandita Das to have her directorial debut feature Firaaq, to be screened at the festival. Technically The Toronto International Film Festival is where Firaaq has its world premiere and the screenings at Telluride are called ‘sneak previews’. Salman Rushdie is going to be introducing the film at all the screenings and also will be in conversation with Nandita at the Q & A.

Nandita says, “There could not have been a better place for me to start my journey of showing the film. It is an intimate film lovers’ festival and here I will know how it resonates with the audiences. The bar is very high here, with the likes of Mike Leigh and David Fincher showing their films and also films that were awarded in Cannes. So in many ways this is a good beginning to the litmus test!”

“Percept Picture Company is already high in its fortune as after the announcement of Firaaq’s world premier at Toronto International Festival on September 5th this year, there is one more reason of celebration for us that our new venture - Firaaq with Nandita will take new heights as this time its been showcased in North America’s most prominent Telluride Film Festival, Indian talent will get an international platform to scatter their light all around the world. Our films have always been praised by critics and this has been proved by such festivals. This is a grand opportunity for us to get in touch with the worldwide audience. Its again full moon for us,” said Mr. Shailendra Singh, Joint MD of PPC.