Stage Adaptation Film Festival (21st – 23rd August 2014) - A celebration of translation of the theatrical drama onto the silver screen

A Potpourri of Vestiges Feature

Stage Adaptation Film Festival, Festival Poster, American Center, Cinedarbar
"Stage Adaptation Film Festival" Poster
Cineastes in Delhi and surrounding areas are up for a grand cinematic feast. The Embassy of the United States of America in collaboration with Cinedarbaar is organizing a three day film extravaganza—‘Stage Adaptation Film Festival’—for the diehard enthusiasts of world cinema from 21st – 23rd August at the American Center Auditorium, 24, Kasturba Gandi Marg, New Delhi - 110001. ‘Stage Adaptation Film Festival’ celebrates the translation of the theatrical drama onto the silver screen and would showcase 6 Popular Adaptations.

Please find below the Press Release and Schedule of the festival.
PRESS RELEASE
‘STAGE ADAPTATION FILM FESTIVAL’

New Delhi, August 2014: ‘Stage Adaptation Film Festival’ celebrates the translation of the theatrical drama onto the silver screenThe three day film festival from 21st- 23rd August 2014, organized by American Center in collaboration with Cinedarbaar would showcase 6 Popular Adaptations.

The Philadelphia Story’ a two times Oscar winning movie, directed by George Cukor would open the festival. The movie is based on the play of the same name written by Philip Barry. The classic and much-loved romantic melodrama ‘Casablanca by Michael Curtiz has won 3 Oscars. The sentimental triangular love story is set against the backdrop of the wartime conflict between democracy and totalitarianism. Also a dark comedy film by Frank Capra Arsenic and Old Lace’ based on Joseph Kesselring's play would grace the festival on the second day. Movies scheduled for the last day of the festival are the Academy award winners ‘A Streetcar Named Desire by Elia Kazan, a subversive, steamy film classic that was adapted from Tennessee Williams' 1947 Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. Deathtrap a murder mystery by Sidney Lumet based on Ira Levin's play. Lastly ‘Amadeus’ adaptation of Peter Shaffer's Broadway hit and winner of 8 Oscars directed by Milos Forman would mark the end of the festival.

Stage-to-film adaptations have been popular since the beginning of motion pictures and as the popularity of films grew, Hollywood began borrowing plots as well as actors and directors from Broadway, some of which turned out to be the triumphs and others could not succeed at the Box Office. On some occasions, playwrights re-write their stage dramas for the screen, as Peter Shaffer did for Amadeus (1984). An advantage that film has over theatre is that the film can convey the message through imagery, rather than dialogue. Great filmmakers consider these notions and turn an original work into something new without losing the soul and integrity of what it was formerly.

The movie screenings will be followed by interactive sessions, conducted by speaker’s Anugyan Nag and Kumar Unnayan. Anugyan who is a film scholar and an independent filmmaker would speak regarding the significance of stage plays and screenplays and stage adaptations of the movies ‘The Philadelphia Story’ and ‘Casablanca.’ He is currently a senior research doctoral fellow at the School of Arts and Aesthetics completing his Ph.D. in Cinema studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University. His films have been nominated, screened and awarded at various National and International Film Festivals. Kumar Unnayan, a postgraduate in English Literature is a keen theater and cinema enthusiast. He will take up interactive sessions on ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and ‘Deathtrap’ talking about the acting techniques and the transition of stage plays to screen plays in these films.

The entry to the festival is free and open for general public. Come and witness the adaptation of theatre onto the screen. You can also win exciting prizes by answering fun quiz questions based on the movies. Handouts which will include film reviews will also be available at the venue after each screening for the visitors. Please carry an original valid photo ID to enter the American Center.


STAGE ADAPTATION FILM FESTIVAL
August 21st-23rd 2014
SCHEDULE

August 21, 2014, 6:00 pm

The Philadelphia Story (1940) (112 minutes)

The Philadelphia Story, Directed by George Cukor, starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn

When a rich woman's ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself.

August 22, 2014, 3:30 pm

Casablanca (1942) (102 Min)

Casablanca (1942), starring Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart, directed by Michael Curtiz

Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II: An American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications.

August 22, 2014, 6:00 pm

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) (118 minutes)

Arsenic and Old Lace, starring Cary Grant, Directed by Frank Capra

A drama critic learns on his wedding day that his beloved maiden aunts are homicidal maniacs, and that insanity runs in his family.

August 23, 2014, 12:30 pm

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) (122 minutes)

A Streetcar Named Desire, starring Vivian Leigh, Marlon Brando, Directed by Elia Kazan

Disturbed Blanche DuBois moves in with her sister in New Orleans and is tormented by her brutish brother-in-law while her reality crumbles around her.

August 23, 2014, 3:30 pm

Deathtrap (1982) (116 minutes)

Deathtrap, starring Michael Caine, Directed by Sidney Lumet

A Broadway playwright puts murder in his plan to take credit for a student's script.

August 23, 2014, 6:00 pm

Amadeus (1984) (160 minutes)

Amadeus (1984), starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Directed by Milos Forman

The incredible story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, told by his peer and secret rival Antonio Salieri - now confined to an insane asylum.

Readers, please feel free to share your opinion by leaving your comments. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!  


- Murtaza Ali



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4 comments:

  1. I thought V was a rare instance where a movie was better than the source material. The graphic novel felt unfocused and wandered around with various subplots that didn't center enough on V as the main character. And the part where the detective finds out V's origin through a drug induced hallucination made no sense. The movie, on the other hand, gets rid of most of the subplots to focus on V and his mission. Great stuff.

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  2. Thanks for sharing your valuable thoughts!!! :-)

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  3. Excellent comparison between the film and the graphic novel. I saw the film first and was instantly floored. Then I read the book a few years later. Each medium has its own advantages that neither can surpass. Having said that, I found the Larkhill segment in the film severely compressed and almost lost in significance. V’s ideals are also never fully explored, thus reducing him to a mere vigilante rather than his true nature in the books. Finally, Evey’s transformation as his successor never really materializes in the film. On the topside, the film’s visuals, darkening atmosphere and Beethoven’s music can only be experienced in the film. This is obviously left to the reader’s imagination in the books but that’s where cinema always prevails over the script or source material. Ultimately, I enjoyed both versions but if I were to recommend one, I’d go with the film. Just my 2 Cents.

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  4. Thanks for sharing your valuable thoughts, Lloyd... I agree that cinema has a distinct advantage over other mediums as it is able to seamlessly combine different mediums, thereby enhancing the overall experience.

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