I, Daniel Blake, Salesman & 10 other Cannes award-winners at IFFI Goa 2016

A dozen Cannesy films are found in the selection for the 46^th International Film Festival of Goa, 2016. Six months after Cannes and one month after the Mumbai Film Festival, those Indians who missed them there have another chance to make good their losses. I have seen only one of the pretty dozen, and though it was a treat for the eyes and ears, it was still anything but a pretty picture.

1. I, Daniel Blake (UK) (Crowd magnet at the Mumbai Film Festival last month)

Winner of the Palm d’Or (Golden Palm) and the Palm DogManitarian award

Directed by Ken Loach, the film won the Palm d’Or, the top prize awarded at Cannes. It was the second Palm d’Or for Loach who won it for The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006). I, Daniel Blake revolves around the life of a middle aged carpenter and a single mother, who find themselves stuck in similar situations. This film will be screened in the Masterstrokes category at IFFI.

2. It’s Only the End of the World (Canada)

Winner of the Grand Prix and the Ecumenical Jury Prize

Director Xavier Dolan was just 25 when he stunned the world with Mommy (2014, Jury Prize at Cannes). His latest film is about Louis, a terminally ill writer who returns home after a long absence, only to bring some unpleasant news to his family. This film too will be screened in the Masterstrokes category at IFFI.

3.  Graduation (Romania) (another MFF blockbuster)

Winner of Best Director award

After he made it big on the world stage with 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (which was the opening film at IFFI in 2007; recall chatting with the director then), Romanian film maker Cristian Mungiu has established himself as a director to be watched. Graduation revolves around the life of a doctor and the challenges he has to face as a parent. This film, again, will be a part of the Masterstrokes category at IFFI.

4. The Salesman (Iran) (MFF superhit carry-over)

Winner of the Best Actor and Best Screenplay award

Asghar Farhadi--the name itself is good enough to send world cinema lovers in a tizzy. Academy Award winner for A Separation (2011), Farhadi’s latest, The Salesman, is an Iranian-French film that he has directed and scripted. The story is a about a couple who play the lead roles in the local version of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. The male lead was played by Shahab Hosseini, for which he won the Best Actor, and Farhadi took the honours for Best Screenplay. The film is Iran’s entry at the 2017 Oscars.

5. Ma’ Rosa (Philippines)

Winner of the Best Actress award

This film from the nation of countless islands is directed by Brilliante Mendoza, who has made award-winning films like Summer Heat (2006) and Thy Womb (2012). Shot with portable, inexpensive digital equipment, on location in the Philippines’ capital Manila’s poorest neighbourhoods, the film revolves around the life of Rosa, portrayed by Jacklyn Jose. Ma’ Rosa is another Masterstroke. It is the official submission of the Philippines for the ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ category of the 89th Academy Awards, in 2017.

6.  American Honey (USA)

Winner of the Prix du Jury (Jury Prize)

American Honey is a British-American, directed by Andrea Arnold who has films like Red Road (2006) and the much appreciated Fish Tank (2009) to his name. The film is about the adventures of a teenage girl, who joins a travelling magazine sales crew, and stars Sasha Lane and Shia LaBeouf. This movie will be screened in the Cinema of the World category at IFFI.

7. The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki (Finland)

Winner of the ‘Un Certain Regard’ Award

This Finnish film, directed by Juho Kuosmanen, is a real life story about a famous Finnish boxer, Olli Mäki, who was in contention for the 1962 World Featherweight title. Shot in Black and White, the film is also the official submission of Finland for the ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ category of the 89th Academy Awards.

8. The Stopover (France)

Winner of the Un Certain Regard for Best Screenplay Award

The Stopover is a French film directed by sisters Delphine and Muriel Coulin. The story revolves around two young French soldiers who go to Cyprus on a three-day leave. This film will be screened in the Cinema of the World Category at IFFI.

9.  Wolf and Sheep (Afghanistan)

Winner of the Art Cinema Award

Wolf and Sheep is directed by Shahrbanoo Sadat. The film is about an anthropologist who observes isolated shepherd communities in Afghanistan, where wolves and sheep share equal importance. The film will compete for the Centenary Award: Best Debut Feature category at IFFI.

10.  The Neon Demon (Denmark) (MFF hot fare that is a neon-starter).

Winner of the Cannes Soundtrack Award

The Neon Demon is a psychological horror film, starring Elle Fanning, Christina Hendricks, and Keanu Reeves, and is directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, who won the Best Director at Cannes for Drive (2011). It is about Jesse, an aspiring model, who moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dream. The music is composed by Cliff Martinez, and this Demon will be screened in the Masterstrokes (?) category at IFFI.

11. The Student (Russia)

Winner of the François Chalais Award

The Student is a Russian film directed by Kirill Serebrennikov. This film is based on a high school student who believes that the world has been lost to evil. Variety called it “a film that never stops to think; it thinks (and speaks, and shouts) while prodigiously on the move.” The film will feature in the International Competition at IFFI.

12. Tramontane (Lebanon)

Winner of the Grand Golden Rail Award

Tramontane is directed by Vatche Boulghorijan, who makes his debut with this feature. The story revolves around Rabih, a young blind man who is in search of his true identity. This film will be a part of the Centenary Award: Best Debut Feature category at IFFI.