"I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians"
Idealistic theatre-maker discovers that not everyone wants to be reminded of Romania’s kick-off of the Holocaust.
140'
Romania
IFFR 2019
In a city in the densely populated state of Maharashtra in Western India, people are getting ready for the annual big feast honouring Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom, prosperity and happiness. At the same time, however, this also leads to ever more violent tensions between the dominant ethnic group, the Marathi, and Bihari immigrants. Bhonsle, a recently fired policeman, looks on with resignation.
As in his previous film Ajji (IFFR 2018), productive young Bengali filmmaker Devashish Makhija once again raises incisive, urgent questions about contemporary India. Who decides who belongs, and who doesn’t? Ganesha may be celebrated as the patron of new beginnings, but for Bhonsle it seems as if the end is nigh. He has a reputation in his block as a strict, angry neighbour, feared but also respected. This comes under pressure when he becomes involved with his new young Bihari neighbour Sita, which brings the conflict – literally – to his door.
IFFR 2019
Programme IFFR 2019
A harvest of outstanding features – the future classics of arthouse cinema.
Read more about this programmeIdealistic theatre-maker discovers that not everyone wants to be reminded of Romania’s kick-off of the Holocaust.
140'
Romania
IFFR 2019
Eight-part series based on the first of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels, a history of post-war Italy told through the fates of two young women who are best friends.
469'
Italy
IFFR 2019
At the age of 43, painter Javier Belmonte can no longer camouflage his fear of life and insecurity with bohemian bravura.
75'
Uruguay
IFFR 2019