Films A to Z
Aarekti Premer Golpo
- Runtime:
- 128 min.
- Year of Production:
- 2009
- Country:
- Indien
- Director:
- Cast:
- Ritupamo Ghosh
Indraneil Sengupta
Jisshu Sengupta
Churni Ganguly
Raima Sen
Arindam Sil
Arindal Bagchi
Taranga Sarkar
Bimal Chakraborty
Charlotte Haywards - Production Company:
- Cinemawalla
- Berlinale Section:
- Panorama
- Berlinale Category:
- Feature Film
In traditional Bengali theatre it’s not unusual to see men in female roles. One of the last surviving androgynous stars of Bengali theatre is Chapal Bhaduri. A young gay filmmaker decides to make a film about this stage legend and asks the 71-year-old thespian for an interview. A concentrated conversation begins that soon goes beyond the boundaries of a conventional interview. As the actor describes some of the painful moments in his life as a stage heroine, the young filmmaker and his bisexual cameraman feel as if they too have had to overcome similar experiences and conflicts in their lives.
Two narrative strands unfold, one of which follows the interview, while the other portrays, in dramatised scenes, the life of the ageing stage diva. Beyond the contrasts of objective and subjective strands, distance and intimacy, boldness and shyness, a deep empathy evolves between interviewer and interviewee.
Until recently homosexuality in India was a criminal offence subject to punishment. The idea for AAREKTI PEMER GOLPO came about before this misanthropic legal practice was abolished. However, little has changed as far as the nation’s widespread antipathy vis-à-vis homosexuality is concerned, and so the film’s subject is as relevant today as it was prior to the reform.
BIOGRAFIE Kaushik Ganguly
Kaushik Ganguly: born in Calcutta on 4.8.1968, he studied Bengali literature. He began writing professional screen- plays in 1987 and has been a director since 2000. His socially committed films have received numerous awards.
FILMOGRAFIE Kaushik Ganguly (selection)
2010 Aarekti Premer Golpo
2009 Aarekti Premer Golpo
2009 Jackpot
2008 Brake Fail
2006 Ek Mutho Chobi/A Fistful of Films
2005 Shunyo E Bukey/ Empty Canvas
2004 Waarish/The Heir
BIOGRAFIE Ritupamo Ghosh
born in Calcutta on 31.8.1961. After studying economics he joined an advertising agency and made his first feature work, a film for children, in 1992. He has since made numerous, often award-winning pro- ductions.
FILMOGRAFIE Ritupamo Ghosh (selection)
2009 Show Charito Kalponik
2009 Abohomaan
2009 Aarekti Premer Golpo
2007 The Last Year
2006 Dosar/The Companion
2005 Antarmahal/Views of the Inner Chamber
2004 Raincoat
2003 Chokher Bali/A Passion Play
2003 Shubo Mahurat
2002 Titli/The First Monsoon Day
2000 Utsab/The Festival
1999 Malaise/Asukh
1999 Bariwali/The Lady of the House
1997 Dahan/Crossfire
1994 Unishe April/19th Of April
1992 Hier Angti/The Diamond Ring