We love the Sunset on Horizon

But that one was not like that..

It was on our Parallel Cinema..

That Sun did not rise again!

- Manoj 'manas roomani'

While remembering our India's great filmmaker Mrinal Senji on his 2nd death anniversary..I wrote these lines!

- Manoj Kulkarni

ELLI'S MOTHER IN BERGMAN'S FILM!

Maria Granlund in Ingmar Bergman's film 'Fanny and Alexander' (1982).

In these days, I remembered beautiful Christmas scene from renowned Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman's 'Fanny and Alexander' (1982).

Maria Granlund with beautiful daughter actress Elli AvrRam!

Few may know that, 'Bigg Boss' and bollywood movie 'Micky - Virus' fame pretty gorgeous - Swedish-Greek model & actress Elli AvrRam's mother Maria - Granlund did the role of Petra in that film!

'Fanny and Alexander' was period film about two siblings and their experiences while living in big -  families!

Bergman while filming 'Fanny and Alexander' (1982)

 

Semi-autobiographical classic colour film 'Fanny and Alexander' was Ingmar - Bergman's final picture before his - retirement!

And this won 'Golden Globes' & 'Oscar's 'Best Foreign Language Film' awards!!

So, it's Elli's mother acted film!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

NIHALANI..80!

Renowned Cinematographer & Filmmaker of our Indian Parallel Cinema.. Govind Nihalani's 80th Birthday recently happened!

We have been meeting in film festivals for the last so many years and I wrote a lot on his cinema!

I published his interview in my film magazine 'Chitrasrushti's Neo-realistic Cinema- special issue, 2007. He appreciated that! (See in above photo).

Best wishes to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

 

'IFFI' PC AT SIRI FORT!

It's one more picture from 'IFFI', Delhi memory..

After the press conference of actor-director Amol Palekar's Marathi film 'Kairee' in IFFI, 2000.

(With him & behind us senior film critic Smt. Aruna Vasudev.)

That 'Siri Fort' auditorium, Delhi is my most favourite venue of 'IFFI'.

Hope to see it again!

- Manoj Kulkarni

WITH MAKERS OF PARALLEL CINEMA!

Our India's Parallel Cinema movement has already completed its 50 years!

I have been observing this cinema for the last 37 years of my Film Journalism and wrote a lot on it!

I published the special issue of my film magazine 'Chitrasrushti' on 'French New Wave & our New Wave/Parallel Cinema'!

Here is collage of my meetings with prominent filmmakers of this movement!

With great Bengali filmmaker Mrinal Sen in 'IFFI'.

 

With renowned Hindi filmmaker Shyam Benegal in 'MAMI's festival.

Receiving 'Film Appreciation Course' certificate from renowned

Malayalam filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan in 'FTII' in 1989.

 

Felicitating renowned Marathi filmmaker Dr. Jabbar Patel

in my film magazine 'Chitrasrushti's ceremony in 2002!

 

With renowned Kannada filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli in 'IFFI'.

With renowned Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua in 'PIFF'.

Its a tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

One of the soothing moments

Romantic atmosphere

Lovers point

Goa!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Just read, there is Sanskrit film 'NAMO' in IFFI's Panorama!

Is festival growing or.?

GREAT POSE OF PRETTY MONICA VITTI!

One of my most favourite actresses of classic world cinema..

Italian pretty icon Monica Vitti!

She became famous with acting in renowned Italian filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni's films!

This is her great pose from his first colour film 'Red Desert' (1964) which won..

'Golden Lion' in 'Venice Film Festival'!

Monica is now near to her 90!

Soon I will write special article on her!

Warm Regards to her!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

GREAT SPIELBERG'S BIRTHDAY!

Hollywood's great filmmaker Steven Spielberg!

Today is birthday of legendary filmmaker of New Hollywood Era..

Steven Spielberg!

Great Steven Spielberg directing 'Jurassic Park' (1993).

In his 50 years of career he made 35 films. In these includes.. different genre of films from.. action thriller, adventure, science fiction, war, biopic, epic historical to contemporary!

He won prestigious awards like 'BAFTA', 'Golden Globe' & 'Oscar' number of times!

 

As Jewish he did great job by making a film..'Schindler's List' (1993). 

Great Steven Spielberg during filming 'Schindler's List' (1993)

I still remember its sensation in 'IFFI', 1995 at Bombay.

Spielberg is now near to his 75!

Best wishes to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Long back, I was interviewing pretty foreign actress in IFFI. 

Waiting for his turn, her director asked, 'Are you writing novel on her?'

LIV..NORWEGIAN ICON OF CINEMA!

Norwegian great Actress-Filmmaker Liv Ullmann

 

One of the greatest European actresses, Norwegian beautiful Actress and Filmmaker Liv Ullmann's 82nd birthday just happened! She got fame with acting in renowned Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman's films!

Pretty Norwegian Actress Liv Ullmann & Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman

At teenage beautiful Liv first started acting on stage and one of her memorable roles was..Nora in Ibsen's play 'A Doll's House'! Then in 1957, she - made her film debut with Norwegian first female director Edith Carlmar's film 'Fjols til fjells' (Fools in the Mountains). After big success of this film, Liv acted in few more Norwegian films with different genres. In these inclues Nils Mulle's 'Tonny' (1952) & Wilfred Breistrand-Erik Folke's 'De Kalte ham Skarven' (1965).

In 1966 Liv Ullmann entered in Swedish Cinema with renowned film maker Ingmar Bergman's film 'Persona'. He wrote this film with Liv & another his great actress Bibi Andersson in mind. This psychological drama revolved around nurse & patient. And both intensely performed these roles. With this film, Liv became a part of Bergman's cinema. Then she worked with his favourite actor Max Von Sydow in psychological horror 'Vargtimmen' (1968).

Great Bibi Andersson & Liv Ullmann in Bergman's film 'Persona' (1966).

Then Liv portrayed great title role in Bergman's film 'The Passion of Anna' - (1969) for which she got admiration. Then with his period drama 'Cries and Whispers' (1972) she became internationally known actress. This was awarded in 'Cannes Film Festival' and Liv won Best Actress - award of 'New York Film Critic Circle'!

Liv Ullmann also acted on television with Bergman wrote-directed miniseries 'Scenes from a Marriage' (1973). For that she got National Critics award. Then she acted - Bergman's film 'Face to Face' (1976) was also a four-part mini-series on Swedish TV! After this she was in Bergman made English-German film 'The Serpent's Egg' (1977). Same time she continued her stage acting and appeared on Broadway with Eugene O'Neill's 'Anna Christie'!

  Liv Ullmann in Bergman's great 'The Passion of Anna' (1969)

Liv Ullmann acted with great artists in some notable films. In this includes..with English actor Laurence Olivier in renowned Richard Attenborough's war film 'A Bridge Too Far' (1977). 

And with beautiful legend of - Hollywood, Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman in 'Autumn Sonata' - (1978). Ingmar Bergman's this sensible film focused on the - relationship of celebrated classical pianist & her neglected daughter. Both the actresses naturally portrayed their characters & touched the hearts! This film won many national, international & critics awards!

Liv Ullmann & Ingrid Bergman in Ingmar Bergman's 'Autumn Sonata' (1978).

Liv Ullmann also worked with other filmmakers and in different languages films. In these - includes Terence Young's French-Italian film 'Cold Sweat' (1970), Michael Anderson's British film 'Pope Joan' (1972) & Milton Katselas' American romantic comedy '40 Carates' (1973). And she won international 'Best Actress' awards for two films includes Mauro Bolognini's Italian film 'Farewell Moscow' (1987) and Jeanine Meerapfel's Argentine-German film 'The Girlfriend' (1988).

Actress Liv Ullmann as director for Danish film 'Sofie' ( 1992)

In 1992, Liv Ullmann became director with Danish film 'Sofie' which was based on the novel by Henri Nathansen. This film was very successful and she got - international recognition as.. filmmaker also! Then she wrote-directed Norwegian film 'Kristin Lavransdatter' (1995). After that she made two films on Ingmar Bergman's scripts includes.. 'Private Confessions' (1996) & 'Faithless' (2000). All her films were screened in prestigious international film festivals like 'Cannes', 'Chicago' & Montreal where she won awards!

In 2003, Liv Ullmann acted in Bergman's last film 'Saraband' which was a sequel of his mini-tv-series 'Scenes from a Marriage'! They did 10 films together. She was like his muse; that's why documentary made on them 'Liv & Ingmar' (2012). Their daughter Linn - Ullmann is journalist & author!

In 2014, Liv Ullmann wrote-directed last film 'Miss Julie'. Notable that, her last acted film was 'Remake me'! She won many awards in her career..includes 'Golden Globe', 'Ibsen Centennial Commemoration Award' & our 'International Indian Film Academy Award for Outstanding Contribution to International Cinema'!

Best wishes to this, one of my favourite actresses of world cinema!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'MERA NAAM JOKER'..50 & KSENIYA..75!

Pretty Russian actress Kseniya Ryabinkina in 'Mera Naam Joker' (1970).

Remember beautiful Kseniya Ryabinkina..ballerina and star of.. Soviet/Russian & Indian Cinema!

Kseniya & Raj Kapoor in 'Mera Naam Joker' (1970)

 

Kseniya Ryabinkina played circus trapeze artist in 'RK's Hindi film 'Mera Naam - Joker' (1970). After that she went to.. Russia and became ballet dancer!

 

She also worked in about 15 films there like 'Greshnik' (1988) and 'Imya Tvoyo' (1989). But still famous as RK's heroine!

 

Kseniya Ryabinkina & Rishi Kapoor in 'Chintu Ji' (2009)

 

Almost after 40 years..Kseniya Ryabinkina acted with Raj - Kapoor's son Rishi Kapoor in movie 'Chintu Ji' (2009).

 

Now she is 75 years old!

 

Best wishes to her!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

 

DANISH ANNA KARINA..ICON OF FRENCH NEW WAVE!

Today is 1st death anniversary of legendary beautiful Danish actress-singer of 'French New Wave...Anna Karina!

     Anna Karina in film 'A Woman Is a Woman' (1961).

Born Hanne Karin Bayer started modelling at teenage in Paris. There French New Wave film - maker Jean-Luc Godard noticed her. Impressed by her beauty, he asked her to act in his film and she played the main role of dancer in his 'A Woman Is a Woman' (1961). This musical was his first colour & cinemascope film! For this film she won 'Silver Bear' Award in 'Berlin Film Festival'.

Then this Anna Karina became Godard's muse and repeatedly acted in his successful films. In these includes 'My Life to Live' (1962), 'The Little - Soldier' (1963), 'Alfaville' (1964) & 'Pierrot le Fou' (1965). She also worked with other filmmakers of French New Wave like Agnes Varda & Jacques Rivette.

    Pretty Anna Karina with filmmaker Jean-LucGodard!

In 1973, Anna Karina became.. writer-producer-director with her starrer film 'Vivre ensemble'. This got admiration in 'Cannes Film - Festival'. She also performed as Singer. And wrote novels!

French-Canadian 'Victoria' (2008) was Anna Karina's last film which she wrote & directed.

Homager to her!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

REMEMBERING SMITA & SEN!

This is rare picture of great actress & director of our Indian Cinema..

Smita Patil and Mrinal Sen during shooting of his Bengali film 'Akaler Shandhaney' (1982)..in search of famine!

This film won 4 National Awards and got Special Jury Prize at 'Berlin International Film Festival'!

Today is her 34th death anniversary! And on this 30th there will be his 2nd death anniversary!

Homage to them!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

KIM KI-DUK..SENSATION OF KOREAN CINEMA!

South Korean filmmaker Kim Ki-duk with award!

South Korean famous filmmaker Kim Ki-duk passed away yesterday!

After studying fine arts, Kim started writing screenplays and won first prize in contest conducted by 'Korean Film Council' in 1995. Then he directed his debut film 'Crocodile'!

His earlier sensational films handled man-woman relations. These includes 'Birdcage Inn' (1998), 'The Isle' (2000), 'Bad Guy' (2001) & '3-Iron' (2004).

But Kim Ki-duk got admiration with his philosophical kind film 'Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter..and Spring' (2003). This tells the story of life from childhood to old age with reference to changing seasons.

Kim Ki-duk's films with bold themes always amazed international viewers & some time created controversy also! However, he won awards at prestigious film festivals. These includes 'Silver - Bear' for film 'Samaritan Girl' (2004) at Berlin & 'Golden Lion' for film 'Pieta' - (2012) at Venice!

Can not forget romantic & philosophical cinematic experience of his 'Spring..." in which Kim himself appeared in the last episode of life!

Homage to this brilliant filmmaker!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni