‘The Universe is opening up’

It is here, they are queer, and there is hardly any fear, that could sum up the countdown to Kashish, Mumbai's international queer film festival. The film festival begins on June 7 and is on till June 11 at the Liberty Cinema and from June 8 to June 10 at the Alliance Française de Bombay, both SoBo venues. Post physical screenings, Kashish moves online from June 16 to 25. The festival will screen 110 films from 41 countries at its on-ground edition and 127 films from 45 countries overall.

It was houseful before the screenings though, as organisers and panellists, allies and cinephiles packed the conference room at the pre-fest meet held at the Press Club, Azad Maidan on Wednesday late afternoon. Sridhar Rangayan, festival director, stated in his introduction, that it is the first time that, "prize money at the festival has crossed Rs 6.5 lakh, overall," to cheers. The fest's advisory board comprising Dolly Thakore, Aruna Rajepatil and Onir took the dais next. Thakore said, "I am so happy to see how far the Fest and has come. I remember the inception of the festival, while there was excitement there was still a lot of wariness about being associated with a queer film fest."

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The audience with festival director Sridhar Rangayan (left) at the Press Club. Pics/Ashish Raje

Thakore said from that worried, looking-over-your-shoulder atmosphere, it is now about celebrating talent and joy. "I have enjoyed being a part of the Kashish journey," said Thakore, who had a message for Bollywood, "where some of the big stars of commercial cinema, do not come out at all."

Filmmaker Aruna Rajepatil had her audience laughing as she stated upfront, "Why expect some of the cream of Bollywood to come out? It is all about protecting themselves and living in their ivory towers. The Universe though, is opening up ever more. As human beings, freedom is critical to us. While there are parts of the world where life is still difficult for queer persons, more hearts are becoming ready to receive the community."

Filmmaker Onir had a twist on, ‘in the closet is comfy' for the Bollywood observation as he said, "Let us just call ourselves the cream of Bollywood. Let us redefine cream." The out filmmaker whose film ‘Pine Cone' is the opening film at Kashish, congratulated the organisers, "on their resilience to keep the Festival going on for so many years."

Wise words

Post that, there were several jury members for different categories in the fest, who held the listeners rapt with some observations, and their learning about being on the Kashish jury. Celebrated actor Lilette Dubey, who as part of the industry said that though she had been, "aware about and exposed to the queer community for at least 50 years; the films were an eye opener." Dubey said a film from Jordan, "shook me up, it is so powerful."

The jury said that in the end, the films were, "moving human stories and the characters happened to be queer." Some of them professed a transformation within, after watching these films, "it has made me a better human being," said one. Another said, "Do see the films to awaken yourself," while there was another jury statement that the, "films made us laugh, cry and generally gave us courage." The conference closed with the statement that Kashish is, "a metaphor for Mumbai. It is all about inclusivity and freedom, the cool festival," literally putting the pride into Pride Month which begins today.

127
Overall no of films that will be screened