The Red Umbrella receives awards for Best Film and Best Actor at SRFA 2010

We are glad to inform all our friends and welwishers, that our film "The Red Umbrella" has received the award for the Best feature film portraying sexual minority characters and issues in SGFF 2010. Dipmoy (Imon, the protagonist) received the award for the Best feature film actor in the role of a sexual minority character.

I express my sincere thanks, unconditional debts and warm regards to all my cast, crew and friends who have been part of this project in some way or the other.

I express my sincere thanks to the organisers of the SGFF to have considered our entry eligible for this honor.

This news, although pleasantly shocking to all of us, reminds us of one big thing - that dedication pays! All our cast and crew members were so deeply involved in the project, and sacrificed so much of their time, energy and work, that the project seemed to be a child we were bringing up!

Now that the child has grown up and started getting affections from the outer world, we feel like proud parents!

Screening Schedule & Venue:

On September 3, 2010 (Friday), Jayadev Bhawan, Bhubaneswar: “Aarambha”, “Aasara Sakala” “Hari Nivas” “Being Positive” “Magic” and “Theme Song on HIV/AIDS” will be screened.

On September 4, 2010 (Saturday), Jayadev Bhawan, Bhubaneswar: “Rupantar”, “The Red Umbrella”, “XXWhy” will be screened

Mobile Film Shows (from September 6-10, 2010): Screening will be from among “Rupantar”, “Being Positive”, “Magic” and “Hari Nivas”

I once again express my thanks to all members of the "Red Umbrella Family"!!

Tirthankar

The Red Umbrella - a story based documentation of the Indian gay rights movement

At the shooting: Tirthankar shooting a scene with Dipmoy, Sramana and Bina Guhathakurta



Imon and Didi: Capturing childhood frames

Imon: Unfurling the umbrella

Imon and Didi: a new biginning

50 min, Bengali (with English subtitles)
Kolkata, 2010

Screening: 25th of Jan, 2010 at Rotary sadan (Opp. Exide more Haldiram)

Entry open to all

All are cordially invited.

Synopsis:

Imon’s sister never liked her brother using a red umbrella. “Red umbrella is for girls”, she felt. The film traces Imon’s journey from a small village to the perplexing crowd of the city where many people are organizing some sort of a forbidden march to unfurl their hearts’ colors.

Through its course, the film generates questions around gender, sexuality and the history of LGBT rights movement in India. It embraces the popular debate around Indian Penal Code 377 that forbids same sex love, and the recent High Court rulings on the same.

In a span of 50 minutes the playright addresses issues like "coming out", activism, law and humanity.

Credits:

1. Story, Script & Direction: Tirthankar Guha Thakurta
2. Cinematography: Kallol Nath, Rupesh Chaudhuri
3. Music: Aneesh Basu
4. Cast: Dipmoy Nath, Sramana Mukhopadhyay, Bina Guha Thakurta, Chinmoy Guha Thakurta, Sreyoshi Guha Thakurta & Anuprabho Ghosh
5. Editing: Ayan Chakraborty

6. Make up & Styling: Manish Sharma
7. Sound recording & Dubbing: Nihar Ranjan Chakraborty
8. Studio: Post Production

About the Director:

A doctor and teacher at a Kolkata based medical college, Tirthankar took up film-making as a second year medical student. His first film Piku Bhalo Achhe (Piku Is Fine), based on the coming out of a young gay boy, won accolades at various national and international film festivals. His subsequent films Strangers in the Rain, Being Positive and Magic have all dealt with various facets of gender, sexuality and human rights. He has always been vocal about the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons through his profession and films.

Email: tirthankar82@yahoo.co.in

SCREENING OF BEING POSITIVE AND MAGIC AT 14TH KOLKATA FILM FESTIVAL

Dear friends,

we are glad to inform you that our films BEING POSITIVE and MAGIC has been selected for screening at the 14th Kolkata Film Festival this year. You are most cordially invited to be present at the screenings and encourage us,

regards,

Tirthankar

Date: 16th November 2008, Sunday
Time: 3 pm
Venue: Bangla Academy Main Auditorium (NANDAN COMPLEX)

Entry is open to all. Please come with all your friends ! :-)

MAGIC

Dear friends,

We are pleased to inform you all that we are ready with our next film "Magic" that was premiered at 6th Kalpanirjhar film festival early this month. Here's a brief about the film.

Synopsis:

The film, shot with still photography, takes us through the emotional turmoils of a HIV positive lady who finds that she is pregnant.

Credits:

Story, script & direction: Tirthankar Guha Thakurta
Photography: Kallol Nath
Music: Aneesh Basu
Cast: Sramana Mukhopadhyay, Bikiran Bhattacharya, Sumana Chatterjee, Anuprabho Ghosh
Editing: Ayan Chakraborty

Screening

The premier is planned to be at the 14th Kolkata Film festival on 16th November 2008, at Nandan.

blogging after a long gap...

Hi friends,

How are you all?

It has been a long time that I had posted a message in this column... which however never implies that life was un-eventful. Here's posting a few snippets from the Kolkata Rainbow Pride Walk (LGBT pride walk) to start our conversation....

Best regards.

Tirthankar

Me with Papu at the walk

Clad in Rainbow

Why follow, when you can lead?

YELL: one-two-three-four; 377 no more!

Encouraging response at 4th International Short Film Festival , Kolkata

The team from "Being Positive"

Tirthankar's movies "Being Positive" and "Strangers in the rain" were screened at the 4th Kolkata International Short Film Festival at Nandan on 3rd and 4th December. Both of the movies were very popular with the audience as was evinced in the huge rounds of applause. After the show , Tirthankar was flanked by friends and movie enthusiasts. A memorable day indeed , for the LGBT community of Kolkata.

BEING POSITIVE and STRANGERS IN THE RAIN to be screened at 4th Kolkata International Short Film Festival

Dear Friends,

Two of our movies, "BEING POSITIVE" and "STRANGERS IN THE RAIN" have been selected for screening at the 4th Kolkata International Short Film Festival at Nandan.Below is the schedule for the movies . All of you are most cordially invited to the shows. Please come with all your friends and family to support our efforts.

Screening schedules:

BEING POSITIVE - 3rd Dec 07, 3:45pm
STRANGERS IN THE RAIN - 4th Dec 07, 5:45pm
Venue : NANDAN.

Passes will be availabe at NANDAN two hours before show.
Seats are limited, so please come early to reserve your seats (entry free). Kindly convey the invitation to all your friends and join us to inspire our efforts!

Regards,

Tirthankar