Bombay Rose
Special Screening
Gitanjali Rao / Feature Narrative / India, France, United Kingdom, Qatar / 2019 / 93 min / Colour / DCP
In Hindi
Interests: Animation
MENA Premiere
Synopsis
Escaping from child marriage, Kamala makes flower garlands to sell on the streets of Bombay during the day, and at night works as a “dancer”. Desperately wishing to keep her little sister Tara away from the harsh life she leads, she uses her meagre earnings and those of her watchmaker grandfather to pay for school for the young girl. A chance encounter with Salim, the boy from across the street, offers hope of a better life for Kamala—who now must choose between fending for her family and finding true love.
Woven delicately through music, a red rose brings together other similar such tales of seemingly impossible love.With each frame meticulously handcrafted, Gitankali Rao’s debut feature is a commendably realised work of animated filmmaking. Based on true events, ‘Bombay Rose’ is a chronicle of intimate yet collective struggles of people who migrate from small towns, seeking a life in the often-unforgiving city. The film explores the ruthlessness of a society where the love and life that prevails on the big screen can crush you in its mean streets. Painted frame by frame, the depiction of urban reality has a documentary style, whereas the intricate dream worlds are inspired by the rich and varied folk art styles of India.
About the Directors
Gitanjali Rao is an Indian theatre actress, animator and filmmaker. She graduated as an applied artist from Sir. J. J. Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai, in 1994. Her debut animation short 'Printed Rainbow' (2006) won the Kodak Short Film Award, and the Young Critics Award at Cannes in 2006. At the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, her animated short, 'True Love Story' was one of 10 selected short films at Critics' Week. She has also served on the judge's panel at various film festivals.
Credits
- Director
- Gitanjali Rao
- Screenwriter
- Gitanjali Rao
- Producer
- Rohit Khattar, Anand Mahindra
- Editor
- Gitanjali Rao
- Production Designer
- Rupali Gatti
- Executive Producer
- Deborah Sathe, Tessa Inkelaar
- Co-Producer
- Charlotte Uzu, Serge Lalou
- Music
- Swanand Kirkire, Cyli Khare
- Cinematographer
- Gitanjali Rao
- Sales Company
- C International Sales
- Production Company
- Cinestaan Film Company, Les Films d'ici, Goldfinch Entertainment
- Sound
- P.M. Satheesh
- Distributor
- Cinestaan Film Company
- Cast
- Voice Cast: Cycli Khare, Amit Deondi, Gargi Shitole, Makrand Deshpande