Mumbai kept its date with its annual fix of best international cinema. The 16th Mumbai Film Festival, organised by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), an 8-day film extravaganza opened on Tuesday with world cinema veterans, Bollywood doyenne of dance Helen and French actor Catherine Deneuve, being conferred with lifetime achievement awards.
"It wasn't easy when my mother and me fled Japanese troops in Rangoon and walked the better part of our journey till Assam when I was barely four. From there to the struggle to get work when I was only 13 its been an uphill task. I want to thank MAMI for this special honour which makes all that hardship seem worthwhile," said an obviously overwhelmed Helen, who was escorted to the stage by Akshay Kumar. Replying to the honour and standing ovation French actor Catherine Deneuve said, "A lifetime achievement award seems too strong an expression. It almost signals that I'm done," and added to thunderous applause, "But let me tell you I'm far from done."
Internationally acclaimed 'Serena' starring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in the lead roles was the inaugural film at the festival which will screen 185 films from 65 countries.
Inaugurated by the model-actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the opening ceremony itself was a star-studded affair with the who's who of the tinsel town and Mumbai's business elite extending their unwavering support to the festival with their attendance. The opening ceremony commenced with a speech from noted filmmaker and MAMI chairman, Shyam Benegal in the august presence of cinema patrons including producer director Vidhu Vinod Chopra, iconic Akshay Kumar, industrialist Niraj Bajaj, among others.
MAMI chairman Benegal, met a roaring applause when he said, "Nothing succeeds like success and this year's MAMI stands testimony to that. On behalf of MAMI, I thank everyone who made our dream to make this year's festival happen despite all odds, a reality. It was Anupama Chopra's relentless pursuit to bring together the film professionals to not only help run but also finance this iconic festival for the first time ever. Not only that, contribution also came in the form of crowd funding and I hope this new form of support continues for years to come." Besides setting the tone for the festival, this left an indelible imprint on cine-lovers, who had thronged in huge numbers for the opening ceremony.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan said, "Kudos to the entire team, especially Anupama and everyone who kept the flag of the festival flying with their belief, conviction, and excitement," were graciously received by everyone whole tirelessly worked towards making the 16thMumbai Festival possible with added grandeur.
Elated at the opening day response of the festival, Srinivasan Narayanan, director, MFF said, "It is a proud and a humbling moment. I am glad that all the hard work paid off. With so much love on the opening day itself, I feel assured that the next seven days will continue to receive this warmth from the film fraternity patrons and cinema lovers."
The 16th edition of the Mumbai film festival organised by MAMI will be held from 14-21 October at the PVR Cinemas in Andheri, Cinemax in Versova and Chandan Cinemas.
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