Taiwan film triumphs at global Indian film festival

“The Wall”, directed by Lin Chih Ju, beat 13 films to the Golden Peacock award for best film during the closing ceremony of the 38th International Film Festival of India in the the tourist haven of Goa on Monday.

The story of a Japanese socialist hiding from Taiwanese authorities appealed to the jury for its depiction of ordinary people coping in politically challenging times.

“As an audience, we were able to relate to something as abstract as politics through the real emotions of human beings,” said jury member Robert Sarkies, a filmmaker from New Zealand.

“Other films that touch upon political issues get lost in complexity.”

A Thai drama about a homosexual dancer suffering from amnesia won filmmaker Pongpat Wachirabunjong the Silver Peacock award for the most promising director. “Khaw Hai Rak Jong Jaroen” (Me Myself) depicted a story of hope for a world without discrimination, the jury said.

A special jury award was shared by Golam Rabbany Biplob for the screenplay of the Bangladeshi film “Swopnodanay” (On the Wings of Dreams) and child actor Julia Urbini for her performance in the Mexican drama “Mas Que A Nada En El Mundo” (More Than Anything in the World).

Expectations had been high for the Pakistani film “Khuda Kay Liye” (In the Name of God) that deals with Islamic fundamentalism and discrimination against Muslims, but filmmaker Shoaib Mansoor’s debut venture failed to move the jury.

The film, which received a standing ovation during both its screenings, also features Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah in a cameo as a Muslim scholar clarifying the tenets of Islam during the course of a court case.

The film festival, hosted by Goa for the fourth straight year, had screened 176 films from 46 countries by the time it wrapped up on Monday.

Cristian Mungiu’s Cannes winner “4 months, 3 weeks and 2

ays” was the opening film while Carlos Saura’s musical masterpiece “Fados” brought the festival to an end.

Although films like Rituparno Ghosh’s “The Last Lear” and the soccer film “Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal” had special screenings at the festival this year, top Bollywood actors stayed away. The only exception was Shahrukh Khan who dropped in for the opening ceremony of the 11-day festival.

But not everyone was complaining. “There were so many stars around last year that people were not watching films,” said critic Uma da Cunha. “They are a distraction and a festival should not have too much of them.”

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