| File:Amen poster.jpg
| |
| Written by | Ranadeep Bhattacharyya Judhajit Bagchi |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Yaanus Films Valentina Erath Harish Iyer |
| Starring | Karan Veer Mehra Jitin Gulati |
| Cinematography | Varun Sud |
| Edited by | Ranadeep Bhattacharyya Judhajit Bagchi |
| Music by | Jonathon Fessenden
|
| Country | India |
| Language | English
|
Amen is a 2010 short film directed, written and produced by Judhajit Bagchi and Ranadeep Bhattacharyya and was released in association with Passion Film.[1][2]
Synopsis
The World Wide Web brings the two protagonists, Andy and Harry, together on a nonchalant afternoon. But this planned sex date takes an unexpected twist and the interactions between Andy and Harry go beyond physical pleasure bringing out questions that need to be answered, truths that need to be accepted and a life that stands to be reckoned.
"Amen" makes two characters meet, experience hope amidst confusion, explore truths about sexuality and the self and delves into the profound meaning of life in the continuum of its trifles. The film reflect the diversity of issues that the community continues to face — from social prejudices to the predicament of acknowledging their sexuality.[3][4][5][6]
Reception
The film is inspired from the life of the human right activist Harish Iyer.[7][8] Amen explores gay relationship like no other movie has done before. It teaches the world that life does not allow one to choose his sexuality, one is born with it.[9] Amen strives to be unapologetically accurate in its depiction of gay relationships, and the intricacies and challenges faced by gay individuals in India today. The dynamics of how we accept our sexual orientation and live with it in contemporary society are poignantly shown in the movie, which provokes thought about how we form our identity based on ourselves, our past experiences and our society. The short also stirs up questions in the viewer's mind – why are we still afraid to accept our own feelings, learn how to go beyond the traumas of our own pasts and learn to go with the flow.[10][11][12][13][14] Amen is also part of the DVD archived at the Kinsey Institute, Indiana University[15]
In 2011 Amen was selected as the only Indian film on the Iris Prize, also known as the 'gay Oscars',[16] list of 30 top LGBT films from across the globe.[17][18]
Cast
- Karan Veer Mehra[19][20][21] – Harry
- Jitin Gulati[22] – Andy
- Madhusmita Sahoo - Tina (voice)
Controversies
Amen fell into controversy with Central Board of Film Certification and the struggle went on for six months until the short was granted permission to be released with an adult certificate by the review committee.[23][24][25][26][27][28]
Film festivals
- 23rd New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Film Festival, NewFest 2011
- 16th Chéries-Chéris, festival du film lesbien, gay, bi, trans, queer et ++++ de Paris, Paris 2010[29]
- Mumbai Queer Film Festival, Mumbai, 2011[30]
- Iris Prize Film Festival, Cardiff, UK, 2011[18]
- Engendered I View Film Festival New York, 2010[31]
- 4th Nigah Queer Fest, New Delhi, 2010[32]
- Queer Caribbean Film Festival, New York, 2011[33]
- 16th Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 2011[34]
- 7th Seattle South Asia Film Festival 2011, USA[35]
- Rio Gay Film Festival, Rio de Janeiro – Brazil, 2012[36]
References
- ↑ 'Ray of hope' for gay cinema as Indian film festival lands in Europe(23 November 2012).
- ↑ http://www.passionfilmindia.com/film-amen/Template:Dead link
- ↑ Film festival puts spotlight on alternate sexuality - Times of India.
- ↑ Filmimpressions.com. www.filmimpressions.com.
- ↑ Shot from the margins, Ganguly, Arghya(15 May 2011).
- ↑ AMEN - A Cinema born. vinatananda.blogspot.in.
- ↑ 'Amen' — A gay rights activist's life on 70mm - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis(24 February 2012).
- ↑ Ellen in the city(10 May 2016).
- ↑ I am a survivor: Harish Iyer. The New Indian Express.
- ↑ Amen. Pink Pages(11 October 2010).
- ↑ Movie Review : Amen - Gaysi. The Gay Desi(5 July 2010).
- ↑ *Film festival puts spotlight on alternate sexuality. Times of India.
- ↑ Straddling two worlds. Mid-Day(25 May 2011).
- ↑ Homosexuality Is Ab-NormaL. epaper.timesofindia.com. Times of India.
- ↑ Amen : a story inspired by the life of Harish Iyer. iucat.iu.edu.
- ↑ Attitude.co.uk - Exclusive - Check out the LGBT films nominated for Best of British at this year's Iris Prize(2016-09-08).
- ↑ g_b Re: AMEN amongst top 30 gay films PLAYING TODAY@ IRIS PRIZE festival, Cardiff. www.mail-archive.com.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 KASHISH 2011, Administrator. www.mumbaiqueerfest.com.
- ↑ Karan Mehra bases his role as a homosexual on activist Harish Iyer. archive.mid-day.com.
- ↑ Karan Mehra.
- ↑ Ragini MMS 2 actor Karan Mehra's film becomes US university syllabus!(21 February 2015).
- ↑ Jitin Gulati. IMDb.
- ↑ Fed up With Heavy School Bags, 2 Students Hold Press Meet.
- ↑ CBFC orders cuts in film on child abuse(16 February 2012).
- ↑ DVD of Amen. buisnessnewstrends.blogspot.in.
- ↑ Gay themed film "Amen" denied permission by Censor Board - Pink Pages(11 February 2012).
- ↑ Fight For CinePride! LANGUAGE EDIT DEMANDS IN "Amen"!. www.hiyer.net.
- ↑ Screen test - Indian Express. archive.indianexpress.com.
- ↑ I Want Your Love.
- ↑ KASHISH goes to Europe, Administrator. mumbaiqueerfest.com.
- ↑ Exploring those intimacies.
- ↑ Amen. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
- ↑ Caribbean and South Asian LGBT Films to Screen in NYC This Weekend(14 October 2011).
- ↑ Program Guide. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
- ↑ SSAFF 2011 :: Sat - Cinema - 4:30 - I AM. ssaff.tasveer.org.
- ↑ Rio Festival. Retrieved 23 August 2016.