Hi, 'The Man Beyond the Bridge' (Paltadacho Munis) a Konkani film produced by National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) and Directed by debutant film maker Laxmikant Shetgaonkar created buzz at the recently concluded 34th Toronto International Film Festival by winning the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Prize for Discovery section. The film is the first-ever Konkani-language film to participate at a highly acclaimed international film festival and win a major international award. The film was honoured for its sensitive exploration of "smaller but enduring dilemmas".
Enclosed below is the Press Release on the same and Film Still as attachment. Hope you will be able to carry a small brief on the same. Attached herein is a film still from the movie. Regards, Durgesh Percept Profile (A Division of Percept Ltd) 9820284823 ========================================================================================================================================= Press Release: 'The Man Beyond the Bridge', (Paltadacho Munis), a Konkani Film produced by National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) won the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Prize for the Discovery Section at the 34th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) September 2009, Mumbai: Scoring points for India at the Toronto International Film Festival was 'The Man Beyond the Bridge' (Paltadacho Munis) an Konkani language film produced by National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) and directed by debutant film maker Laxmikant Shetgaonkar. The film had been selected by the festival for the Discovery Section which showcased over 30 films from around the world that were works by new and emerging filmmakers and The Man Beyond the Bridge was selected from amongst these as the Winner of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Prize at Toronto, one of the largest and most prestigious international film festivals of the world that generates business annually of $135 million CAD. The jury citation for Shetgaonkar's film read: "Far from the sensory overload of India's big cities, this film explores smaller but enduring dilemmas, drawing together keen environmental sensitivity with a nuanced view of village dynamics". The Jury of the festival added "Director Shetgaonkar, immersed in the culture of the region, tells his tale with grace and attentiveness, taking the village traditions and beliefs seriously, while casting a jaundiced eye on those who exploit them." The Man Beyond the Bridge is a story about the life of Vinayak, a lonely widowed forest guard, who one night comes across a filthy, unkempt and ill woman outside his house. Vinayak initially attempts to drive her away, but she keeps returning and a relationship slowly develops between the two. But Vinayak is ridiculed and ostracized by local villagers, who cast out anyone with a mental illness and believe Vinayak's relationship with the woman is morally incorrect. The film is the struggle of Vinayak to give her a fair chance to rebuild her life in the orthodox community. Shri Om Puri, Chairman, NFDC said "The Toronto International Film Festival is a major global platform for all kinds of cinema from around the world and this is an honor for India and for the first-time filmmaker. We hope to see more NFDC films making a mark and winning international awards for artistic excellence." Director Laxmikant Shetgaonkar, said "I am excited with this honor. The idea is to raise an issue, try to reflect different perspectives and make people think. Though my film is in Konkani, it being showcased at the Toronto festival reinforces my faith that it is all about making a good film, irrespective of which language you make it in." NFDC is committed, with the support of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, to promoting new talent in filmmaking and to promoting the multi-lingual diversity of Indian cinema. NFDC has so far produced films in 18 Indian languages. Recent estimates put the total number of Konkani speakers in India at roughly 2.5 million, a mere 0.2 percent of the country's 1.2 billion people. 'The Man Beyond the Bridge' is written and directed by Laxmikant Shetgaonkar. The cast includes Chittaranjan Giri, Veena Jamkar, Prashanti Talpankar and Vasant Josalkar. The music is by Ved Nair, sound by Rajendra Hegde, cinematography by Arup Mandal and edited by Sankalp Meshram. The script prior to its production also went under fine tuning in the Script Lab organized by NFDC in 'Film Bazaar 2007'. Director's Profile Born in Goa, a tiny state on the western coast of India, Laxmikant Shetgaonkar has received critical acclaim for his sensitive portrayal of social reality through fiction and documentaries. His first non feature film "A Seaside Story" received two national awards. The film was screened at various film festivals including Indian Panorama 2005. He received the National Award for Best Debut Non-feature Film at the 52nd National Film Awards. He received Gold Conch at Mumbai International Film Festival in 2004. He was awarded a grant by the British Council, India, for the screenplay 'Man beyond the Bridge'. Presently, he is under pre-production for his second feature. Filmography: EKA SAGAR KINAREE..a seaside story Let's talk about 'it' Can you hear my silence? My kids Durgesh Goswami Consultant Percept Profile (A Division of Percept Limited), P-2, Level A3, Raghuvanshi Estate, 11/12 SB Marg, Lower Parel (West), Mumbai - 400013, INDIA. Tel:+91-22-30408800 Fax: +91-22-24985793. Web: www.perceptprofile.com About Percept Since its inception in 1984, Percept has grown and expanded significantly in the fields of entertainment, media and communications. Through integrated advertising campaigns, embedded content and innovative media solutions, Percept connects with consumers at every step through its extensive network of over 1200 employees spread across 62 offices in India and the Middle East. Percept Picture Company · Percept Talent Management · PDM India · P9 Integrated · Bollywood Corporation · Allied Media · Percept Out-of-Home · Percept Knorigin · Media Agency Middle East · Percept/H · Hakuhodo Percept · AMO Communications · IBD India · Percept Swift · Percept Gulf · Percept Profile India · Percept Profile Gulf · Clea PR · Perspectrum
