Mumbai film fest to host special programme on #MeToo

Apart from putting together a "robust programme" for the Jio MAMI 20th Mumbai Film Festival with Star and hosting filmmakers like Lucrecia Martel, Darren Aronofsky and Sean Baker, Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) will show solidarity with the #MeToo movement through a special programme on the global movement which is against sexual harassment and assault.

"The 20th edition this year, has some exceptional talent like Darren Aronofsky and Sean Baker. We have been able to put together a robust programme that has films from almost every genre possible that people would want to watch at MAMI," Smriti Kiran, Creative Director, Jio MAMI 20th Mumbai Film Festival with Star, told IANS.

"We have over 200 films in the programme being showcased at 10 venues and over 20 screens at the theatres during the festival. There are many movies that will be premiering with us." Amidst the #MeToo storm, various films have also been dropped from the line-up of the fest, which will conclude on November 1. Rajat Kapoor's "Kadhakh" and All India Backchod (AIB)-produced "Chintu Ka Birthday" are among those discarded.

Rajat and members of AIB were accused of sexual harassment. Among the main offerings, "Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota" will get its Asia premiere at the festival, which will begin here on Thursday.  Gujarati language short film "Rammat-Gammat" will have its India premiere at the gala, Steve McQueen's directorial "Widows", which will close the festival next month, will have its Asia premiere there.

Actress Rasika Dugal's series "Mirzapur" and film "Hamid" are also set to have their world premiere at the festival. "My part in 'Hamid' as Ishrat is dramatically different from Beena in 'Mirzapur'. I am thrilled that they are both premiering at MAMI," said Rasika.