UK Film Council announces full From Blighty With Love line-up
Showcase of UK Films in Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore supporting British independent film in India
Mumbai / London – 27 January 2010: The UK Film Council is today delighted to announce the full line up of films for next month's British film showcase, From Blighty with Love, which will screen in Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore from 26 February to 11 March.
From Blighty with Love* will showcase eight English language films, none of which have been available to the cinema-going public in India before. The films are:
- Man on Wire (dir. James Marsh) - winner of the 2009 Oscar® for Best Documentary and BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) for Outstanding British Film;
- In the Loop (dir. Armando Iannucci) - nominated for the 2010 BAFTA for Outstanding British Film and Best Screenplay, and winner of the 2009 British Independent Film Award for Best Screenplay;
- Brideshead Revisited (dir. Julian Jarrold) - nominated for the 2008 British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actress (Emma Thompson);
- Easy Virtue (dir. Stephan Elliott) - nominated for the 2008 British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actress (Kristin Scott Thomas);
- Genova (dir. Michael Winterbottom) - winner of the 2008 San Sebastián International Film Festival award for Best Director;
- Glorious 39 (dir. Stephen Poliakoff) - selected for the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival and the Times BFI London Film Festival;
- Rage (dir. Sally Potter) - nominated for the Golden Bear award at the 2009 Berlin International Film Festival; and
- Angel (dir. François Ozon) - nominated for the Golden Bear award at the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival.
From Blighty with Love will be the first time that independent British films have been presented to the English speaking audience in India, and will feature the simultaneous screening of each film on multiple screens in 2K digital cinemas. The entertainment experience will be enhanced by 'virtual' in-conversation events with key talent from the films, including directors and cast, using the latest Skype technology.
Sarah McKenzie, the UK Film Council's Senior Executive for Export Development said: "We're extremely excited to announce this line-up of eight British films which have never before been seen by the public on the big screen in India. The UK Film Council is working hard to open up UK film to international markets and audiences, and to promote our home-grown talent to new viewers.
"From Blighty with Love is the first time that India's English-speaking audiences will be offered a whole new British cinema experience. The star studded line-up includes a broad range of genres, from comedy and drama through to documentary, and provides a fantastic taster of the excellence and diversity of British filmmaking."
Shekhar Kapur, Joint Project Patron, highly respected actor, producer and Oscar® nominated director (Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Four Feathers, Elizabeth, Bandit Queen) said: "I'm absolutely honoured and delighted be the joint patron for From Blighty with Love, which is an exciting season of some great new British cinema. There is a great selection of talent on display with some eight films including some truly impressive new faces such as the beautiful Romola Garai who shines in Angel and Glorious 39, and Ben Whishaw in Brideshead Revisited. There are also internationally recognised actors like Dame Judi Dench, Sir Michael Gambon, Julie Christie, Bill Nighy, Colin Firth and of course the great Jude Law.
"The season also showcases directors at the top of their game, such as Stephen Poliakoff, Michael Winterbottom and Sally Potter, as well as European auters like François Ozon and the great Australian maverick Stephan Elliott who directed Priscilla Queen of the Desert. I could not recommend this package of excellent movies more highly, and believe that there is something in there for everybody."
Fellow Joint Patron and British Deputy High Commissioner in Mumbai, Vicki Treadell added: "From Blighty with Love showcases a flavour of the best of independent British films, direction and acting talent. It is a celebration of world-class production from the UK of all kinds, including modern satire like In the Loop and new versions of enduring classics like Brideshead Revisited.
"I congratulate the UK Film Council on this initiative and am delighted to endorse this Indo-UK joint effort which is one of the many ways our two countries work to foster cultural relationships. Indian and British cinema are among the best and most vibrant in the world, with actors, directors, musicians and technical and production values of international repute. I am sure that the season will be a great success, and one that I hope the film communities of our two countries will build on."
From Blighty with Love will be delivered by the UK Film Council with the help of project partners, UK Trade and Investment, Book My Show and the Mumbai Film Festival. Cinema partners include PVR, Reliance Big, Fame and Cinemax. BBC Entertainment is the drama and entertainment partner; NDTV Lumiere the World Cinema partner and Network 18 the TV News partner. Other cross promotion partners include Visit Britain and the British Council. Olive Bar & Kitchen is the launch hospitality sponsor.
To register for regular From Blighty with Love updates go to www.fromblightywithlove.com. The full screening schedule will be available from early February.
*'Blighty' is an English term for Britain, deriving from the Hindustani word vilāyatī (pronounced bilāti in many Indian dialects and languages) meaning 'foreign'.
For more information, contact:
India press contact:
Neha Bist, RPH
Tel: 06 514 9829
Cell/Handy: 93 2086 9172
Email: neha@rph.co.in
UK press contact:
Tara Milne, UK Film Council press office
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7861 7901
Email: tara.milne@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk
Details of the films which are showing can be found at www.fromblightywithlove.com
