TV Times

TV Times

Film Festival to celebrate International Women’s Day
The Women and Media Collective has organized a Film Festival in celebration of International Women’s Day 2004 falls on March 8th. The films schedule to be screened are Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (Hindi) directed by Aparna Sen on March 8th, Salt of the Earth (English) directed by Michael Wilson, Herbert Biberman and Paul Jerrico on March 9th and Erin Brokovich (English) directed by Steven Soderbergh on March 10th..

Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, a film by Bengali film director, Aparna Sen won Indian National Film Award for the Best Director and for the Best Actress. The story revolves around two strangers-travelling on a short bus journey. One is married to a traditional South Indian Brahmin Mrs. Meenakshi Iyer (Konkon Sensharma) and the other, a suave single wildlife photographer and a Muslim Raja Chaudhary (Rahul Bose). Calamity strikes in the form of a communal riot. The two are now “Mr. and Mrs. Iyer”. Humanity reshapes their conventional beliefs. A stranger emotion emerges. But does the journey have a destination.

Salt of the Earth- Directed in 1953 by one of the infamous “Hollywood Ten” Herbert J. Biberman, ‘Salt of the Earth’ was a collaborative effort by some of the most notable and talented blacklisted filmmakers, including Michael Wilson (Lawrence of Arabia, The Bridges on the River Kwai and A Place in the Sun), Will Geer (In Cold Blood) and Paul Jerrico (Tom, Dick and Harry). Despite severe pressure from the US government and such powerful figures as RKO studio chief Howard Hughes, this award winning team created one of the most compelling family dramas and heart-rending romances of the 1950s.

A powerful and emotionally charged film, it is based on the 1950s strike by zinc minors in New Mexico. Sault of the Earth explores the complex issues of labour relations, minority rights and the struggle of women to achieve equality and dignity in their daily lives.

Erin Brockovich is a stirring, funny and unconventional drama based on true events. It starts two time Academy Award nominee Julia Roberts as the twice-divorced mother of three young children who discovers an injustice (a cover-up involving contaminated water in a local community) and then takes on the bad guys. The local citizens are initially worried of becoming involved, but Erin’s persistence and compassion makes them listen, leading to triumph despite the seemingly insurmountable odds. The festival which screens twice a day at 3.00 p.m. and 6.00 pm will be at Russian Centre, No.10, Independence Avenue, Colombo 07. Entrance will be free of charge.

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