The 70th Sydney Film Festival is set to celebrate the vibrant world of Indian cinema with a diverse selection of films from the country. Among the highlights are a retrospective on the iconic screen presence of Amitabh Bachchan, Anurag Kashyap’s intriguing detective drama “Kennedy,” and the gripping thriller “Joram” starring Manoj Bajpayee.
The festival, scheduled to take place in Sydney from June 7th to June 18th, will present a total of 90 narrative features and 54 documentaries. Representing the Indian contingent, renowned director Rima Das brings her acclaimed film “Tora’s Husband,” while Aamir Bashir presents “The Winter Within,” winner of the KB New Currents Audience Award at the Busan International Film Festival.
The retrospective on Amitabh Bachchan, titled “Amitabh Bachchan: Back To The Beginning,” offers cinephiles a chance to revisit the magic of four classic movies from the legendary actor’s career. Curated and restored by the Film Heritage Foundation, the lineup includes iconic films such as “Deewaar” (1975), “Amar Akbar Anthony” (1977), “Don” (1978), and “Kaala Patthar” (1979).
Director Devashish Makhija’s “Joram” competes in the festival’s lineup, presenting a gripping survival thriller centered around a laborer in Mumbai who finds himself on the run with his infant daughter. Starring Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub and Megha Mathur in pivotal roles, “Joram” promises to captivate audiences with its intense narrative.
Anurag Kashyap’s noirish thriller “Kennedy” will be showcased as part of the Special Presentations section, sharing the spotlight with other notable films such as Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City,” “Biosphere” starring Sterling K Brown and Mark Duplass, and Penelope Cruz’s “L’immensita.” “Kennedy” follows the story of an assassin working for a corrupt police force and his quest to settle personal scores.
The festival’s International Documentary lineup features Vinay Shukla’s “While We Watched,” which explores the tumultuous world of broadcast journalist Ravish Kumar as he grapples with truth and disinformation. Additionally, Sarvnik Kaur’s “Against The Tide” captures the lives of two fishermen from Mumbai’s indigenous Koli community, shedding light on the impact of environmental changes on their friendship.
With its rich selection of Indian films, the 70th Sydney Film Festival promises to be a platform for showcasing the diversity, depth, and creativity of Indian cinema. From the evergreen charm of Amitabh Bachchan to the gripping narratives of contemporary filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap and Manoj Bajpayee, these films offer a glimpse into the vibrant storytelling traditions of Indian cinema.