'Battle for Banaras' makes to must-see list at DIFF

Dubai: National award-winning filmmaker Kamal Swaroop's highly acclaimed film "The Battle for Banaras" is in the list of must-see films set to appear in 'Cinema of The World' programme at the The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).

Inspired by Nobel laureate Elias Canetti's book, "Crowds and Power", the documentary lays bare the underbelly of politics in the world's largest democracy interweaving Indian history with contemporary politics.

It is set against the backdrop of elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal battled for affection and votes of people of Kashi.

The film uncovers the manipulation of the masses by the country's political elite. Having confirmed a slate of global must-see films as part of the lineup, DIFF has curated a programme that boasts some of the finest actors, directors, producers and writers in the industry today.

"The Clan" by Argentinian director Pablo Trapero, "Truth," starring Robert Redford and Cate Blanchett, Dalibor Matanic's latest feature "The High Sun", directors Andy Schocken and Oscar-winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's documentary "Song of Lahore" and Sarah Gavorn's "Suffragette" are part of the line-up.

"The Cinema of The World programme continues to connect audiences with the widest choice of world cinema and serves as a great showcase of the very best actors, directors, writers and producers working in in the industry today.

"The slate this year will surprise, enthral and delight UAE audiences with its compelling mixture of subjects and locations and will give us extraordinary vistas of the world around us," said Masoud Amralla Al Ali, director of DIFF. DIFF is scheduled to take place from 9 to 16 December 2015.