18th Mumbai International Film Festival MIFFDiaries - Stanislavski's acting secrets, Animation Masterclass, Tribute to Santosh Sivan's Cinematography, Award Winners

Animation Masterclass Georges Schwizgebel speaks to Dhwani Desai
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18th MIFF Unveils Stanislavski’s Secrets in Acting Workshop with Fabrice Carrey
Acting is like living life, it should always be natural: Fabrice Carrey
The 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF)featured a captivating workshop on acting, focusing on “The Approach of the Stanislavski System in the Acting School.” The workshop was conducted by Fabrice Carrey, the renowned artistic director of the Franco-Belarusian association Demain le Printemps TEATRO.
In a live and interactive session, Carrey delved deep into the life and artistic breakthroughs of the legendary Russian theatre personality Konstantin Stanislavski, exploring the foundations of his unique approach. Carrey emphasized the importance of naturalism in acting, stating, “Actors should always be alive. Acting is like living life.”
Highlighting Stanislavski’s preference for natural characters over traditional acting, Carrey elaborated on the scientific approach Stanislavski adopted in his method. “He always aimed to achieve authenticity and naturalism in his characters,” he opined.
Discussing the universal language of theatre and art, Carrey remarked, “Communication doesn’t only mean text. It’s the intention and emotion. An enthralling play always crosses the barriers of language and culture, connecting with the audience on a deeper level.”
Carrey underscored the necessity for actors to remain natural and empathetic to truly captivate their audience. He stressed that an actor must be prepared for any situation, noting, “A good actor needs to be very attentive to face any sort of difficult or challenging situation.”
To capture the audience’s attention, Carrey advised budding actors to embrace creativity and uniqueness in their performances. “You always need to do something unique, creative, and unusual to draw the attention of the audience,” he suggested.
The session offered valuable insights into the Stanislavski system and emphasized the significance of naturalism, empathy, and readiness in acting. MIFF continues to be a platform for fostering artistic excellence and inspiring the next generation of actors.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Santosh Sivan speaks to Namrata Joshi about his cinematography art - A story in Pictures

Visual Symbolism from Images to Narrative Meaning: Insights from Master Cinematographer Santosh Sivan at 18th MIFF

“Everything with mystery should have a blend of darkness and light. Whenever I do some lighting, I ensure that this blend is there” : Santosh Sivan

The 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) witnessed a captivating ‘In-Conversation’ session with master cinematographer Santosh Sivan, titled 'Visual Symbolism from Images to Narrative Meaning,' held at the NFDC complex in Mumbai today. Renowned for his work across Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi cinema, as well as international projects, Santosh Sivan shared his profound insights on the art of cinematography. The session was moderated by esteemed film critic Namrata Joshi.

Santosh Sivan emphasized the importance of balancing darkness and light in creating mystery within a scene. “Everything with mystery should have a blend of darkness and light. Whenever I do some lighting, I ensure that this blend is there. If you are playing a piano, you should play with all the keys,” he remarked. This philosophy underpins his distinctive visual style that has captivated audiences globally.

Speaking about his diverse experiences, Sivan noted that different film genres require unique treatments, and he enjoys working across a spectrum of styles, from art house to commercial films. Reflecting on his work in Hollywood, he observed the industry's strict adherence to schedules, adding, “I have learned something from all the projects I have worked in.”

During the candid session, Sivan shared anecdotes from his collaborations with iconic Indian directors. He highlighted his long-standing collaboration with Mani Ratnam, having worked together on six films. Sivan recounted convincing Ratnam to make Preity Zinta’s character a Malayali girl in 'Dil Se,' and the memorable shooting of the song 'Chhaiya Chhaiya,' where Shah Rukh Khan performed without a harness on a moving train. The entire shoot was completed in two and a half days, amidst a picturesque train journey route.

Sivan praised the unique working styles of various directors: Priyadarshan’s precision in editing, Raj Kumar Santoshi’s comprehensive control on set, and Shaji N. Karun’s visual orientation. Currently, he is collaborating with Raj Kumar Santoshi on 'Lahore 1947,' featuring Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta.

Describing cinematography as a zen-like experience compared to the stressful nature of directing, Sivan acknowledged the influence of cinematographers such as Enrique Chediak, Ashok Mehta, Subroto Mitra, K.K. Mahajan, Vincent Master, and Vittorio Storaro. “Various people are admirable for different reasons,” he stated.

Sivan emphasized that a script is an organic entity, constantly evolving. He also expressed his enthusiasm for working with young and upcoming filmmakers, who bring fresh perspectives to projects.

A recipient of numerous accolades, including the Pierre Angénieux Excellens in Cinematography, twelve National Film Awards, four Kerala State Film Awards, and three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Santosh Sivan continues to inspire and influence the world of cinema with his exceptional vision.

------------------------------------------------------------ Audrius Stonys Motivating STories: Originality & Ingenuity

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Golden Conch for ‘The Golden Thread’

Indian film ‘The Golden Thread’ bags Golden Conch award for the Best Documentary at 18th MIFF 2024

Estonian film ‘Sour Milk’ wins Silver Conch for Best International Short Fiction

Polish Film ‘Zima’ wins Silver Conch for Best International Animation

‘6-A Akash Ganga’ gets Silver Conch for Best Indian Documentary Film

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