The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival is back for its 2023 edition. With over 250 films from 70 nations, this festival is a cinephile’s paradise. From thought-provoking documentaries to heartwarming tales, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a sneak peek at a few gems that will grace the festival’s screens between October 27 and November 5, 2023.
While We Watched by Vinay Shukla
The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival opened its doors with the highly anticipated screening of While We Watched. The film follows the life of broadcast journalist Ravish Kumar as he struggles with the ever-spinning wheel of truth and disinformation.
The film also offers a sobering look at the state of journalism and truth-telling in the modern world. Hence, Ravish Kumar’s story is not only one of repression in modern India but also an exploration of the existential crisis in truth-telling worldwide.
Dostojee by Prasun Chatterjee
In Dostojee, director Prasun Chatterjee presents a heartwarming tale of friendship in the face of bigotry. It paints an intimate portrait of friendship that is both warm and calming – a testament to the resilience of human connections.
The film’s detailing of lighting, color, and sound exquisitely captures the simple joys of village life. From fireflies dancing in the darkness to a kit’s graceful rise and fall, Dostojee transports one to a world where the extraordinary is found in the ordinary.
The Burdened by Amr Gamal
The film takes viewers to Aden, Southern Yemen, where a married couple, Isra’a and Ahmed, make a tough choice. Already struggling to make ends meet with three young children, Isra’a gets pregnant. In the best interest of the family, they decide to procure an abortion. The film tracks their journey as they move through the hostile bureaucracy of their conservative, war-torn surroundings.
La Chimera by Alice Rohrwacher
The film invites viewers into a world where everyone has their own Chimera – something they desperately seek but never quite find. For a band of tomb raiders, their Chimera is redemption from work and the dream of easy wealth. Arthur’s Chimera is the woman he lost, Beniamina. So, he embarks on a journey to find her.
This adventurous journey unfolds between forests and cities, celebrations, and solitude, especially when intertwined destinies come together in search of the elusive Chimera.
The Summer With Carmen by Zacharias Mavroeidis
The film is a vibrant portrayal of the friendships between gay men. This type of complex and multifaceted type of relationship is rarely shown in mainstream cinema. Set in Athen’s queer beach, the film follows Demosthenes as he helps his friend Nikitas craft an idea for his feature debut. In addition, the film has been inspired by the events surrounding a dog named Carmen.
Finally, it’s a celebration of the diverse and dynamic bonds that exist within the LGTQ+ community, offering a unique perspective on friendship and love.
Among the special mention films, one of them is Marathi Talkies, which is Jio MAMI’s dedication to Marathi cinema.
Sumedh Natu’s Vinchu (The Scorpion) is one of the fine selections as well. In the era of rising saffronisation, the film introduces Saleel. He is a queer content creator working for the extremist Vinchu Sena party. When assigned a mission to harm an author, it forces Saleel to confront his own identity and societal divisions.
The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2023 promises a diverse and engaging selection of films. From the depths of journalism’s crisis to the heights of friendship warmth, it will take viewers on a journey of emotions. As such, make sure to not miss out on these movies.
