The Hindu : Front Page : `Jazireh Ahani' bags Golden Peacock

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 05, 2005

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`Jazireh Ahani' bags Golden Peacock

Sudhish Kamath

RARE HONOUR: A representative receives the Golden Peacock Award, for the film ``Iron Island'' in the 36th International Film Festival of India in Goa on Sunday. — Photo: PTI

PANJIM: Iranian film Jazireh Ahani [Iron Island], directed by Mohammad Rasouluf, went home with the Golden Peacock and a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs as the curtains went down on the International Film Festival of India on Sunday.

The judges voted in favour of the moving take about the adventures of the inhabitants of an abandoned oil tanker — for its originality, cinematic language and great creative strength.

The special jury award, the Silver Peacock and a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs, went to the South African courtroom drama Red Dust directed by Tom Hooper.

Directors of the Argentinian film, Kept and Dreamless, Vera Fogwill and Martin Desalvo were given the Most Promising Director award.

The winners were chosen from 14 films, including Nagesh Kukunoor's Iqbal and Kamal's Perumazhakaalam, by a jury comprising Latin American filmmaker Miguel Littin, French Director Alain Corneau, filmmaker Saeed Mirza, Iranian actor-director Faramarz Gharibian and Austrian filmmaker Sabine Derflinger.

About 182 films from 38 countries were screened during the festival that started on November 24. Over 2,000 delegates and 150 journalists from all over the world attended the 10-day festival.

"I stand before you with a reasonable degree of confidence now that the festival has been a grand success despite the inherent constraints," Goa Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane said. "With the experience gained from two festivals, we hope to make IFFI one of the best in the world with the support of non-governmental organisations so that the state exchequer is not burdened." Festival director Afzal Amanullah said he was filled with a sense of accomplishment with the overwhelming response to the festival. "As the festival ends, I am positive that IFFI has finally found its permanent home in Goa."

Guest of honour Mithun Chakraborty, who turned up in a black kurta and a colourful dhoti, went on stage to vote for Goa as a permanent venue. The Disco Dancer star evoked a few laughs when he said he would be unable to dance for the crowd sporting the dhoti. The closing ceremony began with the audio launch of Sanjay Gupta's Zinda as Sanjay Dutt, singer Shibani Kashyap, Faizal and Bilaal from Strings performed songs from the film. The festival concluded with the Golden Palm winner L'Enfant, as music groups and bands performed in 101 locations all over Goa.

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