Written and directed by Aliakbar Campwala, Satsifed??? is a short film with a personal story reflecting the changing world in cities such as modern day Mumbai (Bombay): a little like the Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire. Aslam is a man people come to if they need help in Mumbai. Anna is a pretty woman apparently involved in telephone sex. She apparently needs his help but how it all fits together is only revealed at the end. It may require more than one viewing!
Eye of India by Benn Berkeley was my favouite Indian film from the 11th FILMSshort competition. It is a visually stunning record of a journey across India, shown through the passage of a day. It showcases the diverse culture of one of the country and was filmed during a six-week trip that Berkeley took across the subcontinent, from the tropical shores of Kerala to Nomadic Refugees in the far North. Eye of India attempts to capture a feeling of transition as India emerges from its rural past to an economic superpower.
The Virgins is a comedy directed by Sandeep Varma, who wrote and directed the well-recieved feature film, Manjunath. It tells the story of a young couple on the cusp of an arranged marriage. The man is a virgin and is concerned to discover that his bride may be more exprienced than him. It explores how modern society - with pornography widely available - conflicts with the old values surrounding arranged marriages. Does virginity matter?