My Melbourne at the 30th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF)

The 30th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) recently featured the journey of Melbourne brought to life on screen, as My Melbourne took center stage at the historic Nandan Film and Cultural Centre. The screening was a significant moment for both cities, as Melbourne and Kolkata share a unique and beautiful connection through trams, which was beautifully depicted in the film.

The experience was made even more special by a unique tram ride with the film’s directors, Imtiaz Ali, Onir, and Rima Das. The directors joined the audience and media on the tram, sharing stories from their journey of making My Melbourne.

The screening took place at Nandan-I, a renowned venue in Kolkata, known for its rich history and cultural significance. With a seating capacity of 960, the venue was completely sold out, showing the strong interest and enthusiasm for the film among the local audience.

Film Detail:

Producer: Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM

Director: Imtiaz Ali,Kabir Khan ,Rima Das,Onir

Cast:

1. Kat Stewart
2. Arushi Sharma
3. Arka Das
4. Brad Hodge
5. Setara Amiri
6. Ryanna Lawson

Synopsis: Themed around the four pillars of diversity—sexuality, gender, disability, and race— the anthology film “My Melbourne” features four unique diverse stories based on true incidents. Indraneel, a queer Indian man and his estranged father reunite in Melbourne to complete a ceremonial ritual, exploring their fraught relationship and the power of forgiveness amid grief. Newly married Sakshi and homeless Jules form an unlikely bond, navigating their struggles and finding connection despite their differences. Emma, a talented deaf dancer, grapples with self-doubt and discrimination until a chance encounter with another deaf dancer inspires her to embrace her uniqueness and find her inner strength. Setara, a 15-year-old Afghan girl rebuilding her life in Melbourne after fleeing the Taliban, finding her sense of belonging through cricket amid family tensions and past trauma.