Musically inclined

Relive the Magic Of Musicals at this three-day film fest that starts on Friday

Relive the magic of musicals at this three-day film fest that starts on Friday

Agreed that music isn't the backbone of a Hollywood movie a la our own Bollywood, but the American film industry has given us too many memorable musicals to forget. Remember Moulin Rouge? Or The Sound of Music for that matter? Or Chicago?


A still from Sweeney Todd

It is time to relive the magic of musicals over the weekend that will help you get over the general mood of gloom that's setting in what with the R-word looming around the corner and the markets crashing. Celebrating Hollywood Musicals is a three-day musical film fest that will bring together some of the famous musicals of all times at a screen in the Capital.


A still from An American In Paris

"We wanted to revisit the idea of musicals and give the audience a variety of films of this genre. We are trying to show how different directors look at musicals. This festival will show the development of musicals," says Supriya Suri, artistic director, Cine Darbaar, which is organising the festival along with American Centre.
Suri agrees that all genres are importantu00a0-- be it action or comedy or drama. "We are not saying that musical is above all. It's just in the hands of the director how well he presents the film. A musical can be as great as any other film," says Suri.


A still from West Side Story

The gala begins with the Oscar winning The Broadway Melody, one of the first musicals of the world. The film also had a silent version because not all theatres were sound-equipped in 1929 when the film released. The 100 minute-flick is about the romance between musical comedy stars who come to New York in search of their big break on Broadway, meet each other and are confused about their love life. Next up is the 1935 release Top Hat which received four Oscar nominations.

The movie shows Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers happily in love but complications arise as Ginger realises she had mistaken Rogers for a producer who Roger is working for. Other movies featured in the festival will be 1951 release An American in Paris, 1958 release Gigi, 1952 release Singing in Rain, 1961 release West Side Story, 1977 release Saturday Night Fever and will finally close with the latest Johnny Depp starrer Sweeney Todd which released in 2007.

The screenings will be accompanied by interactive sessions. "There will be talks on topics like the emergence of musicals and contemporary musicals, quizzes for the audience and prizes for the winners. The audience will also be asked to write a note on the American films they would like to curate," says Suri. So gear up to sing along.

Cut-n-keep schedule
August 19
The Broadway Melody (1929), 3 pm
Top Hat (1935), 6 pm

August 20
An American in Paris (1951), 12 pm
Gigi (1958), 3 pm
Singing in the Rain (1952), 6 pm

August 21
West Side Story (1961), 12 pm
Saturday Night Fever (1977), 3 pm
Sweeney Todd: The demon barber of Fleet Street (2007), 6 pm

At: American Centre, Kasturba Gandhi Marg
Ring: 23472290
On: August 19 to 21

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