Soul of Asia` another highpoint of IFFI

New Delhi: Films on mystical and philosophical themes will provide an Asian flavour to the celluloid fare at the 43rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) beginning in Goa from November 20.

Speaking to PTI here, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Uday Kumar Varma said there will be a special section which the international and the Indian audience can look forward to which is titled `Soul of Asia`. "This is a section in Cinema and mysticism which shall screen films on the philosophical themes of Buddhism and mystic tradition of Asia. There will be nine films in this section," Varma said. Among the films that will be screened in this festival are titled “Confucious", "Light of Asia", "Meeting with Remarkable Men", "Mystic Iran", "Samsara", "Spring Summer Fall Winter and Spring", "The Buddha", "The Burmese Harp" and "The Great Pilgrim". Varma also said that American director Ang Lee`s latest venture ‘Life of Pi’ which is based on Yann Martell Booker prize-winning novel has been chosen as the opening film of the festival. He said that the festival which would showcase films from nearly 40 countries will close with a screening of Mira Nair`s movie `The Reluctant Fundamentalist`. Speaking about the decision to select ‘Life of Pi’ as the opening film, Varma said the screening at IFFI in Goa would also be the world premiere of the movie. "This is a film from a very celebrated director. He has directed three very very famous movies, one is `Sense and Sensibility`, the second is `Brokeback Mountain` and the third is `Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon`, Varma he said. "`Life of Pi` is based on a book by Yann Martell, which won the Booker Prize, it has a connection with India because it begins from Puducherry. The protagonist Pi Patel actually has his childhood in this place and it was also shot in Puducherry and we had mostly Indian cast like Irfan Khan and Tabu. It will be the opening film," Varma said. Taiwanese-born American film director Lee`s film would be showcased in the cinemas of India section which would show 53 films from 42 countries. "The closing film would be `The Reluctant Fundamentalist` by Mira Nair, who is a celebrated film director of Indian origin," he said. PTI