Amen (2010 film) explained

Amen
Director:Ranadeep Bhattacharyya
Judhajit Bagchi
Producer:Yaanus Films
Valentina Erath
Harish Iyer
Starring:Karan Veer Mehra
Jitin Gulati
Music:Jonathon Fessenden
Cinematography:Varun Sud
Editing:Ranadeep Bhattacharyya
Judhajit Bagchi
Runtime:24 minutes
Country:India
Language:English

Amen is a 2010 short film directed, written and produced by Judhajit Bagchi and Ranadeep Bhattacharyya and was released in association with Passion Film.[1] [2]

Synopsis

The World Wide Web brings the two protagonists, Andy and Harry, together on a nonchalant afternoon. But this planned sex date takes an unexpected twist and the interactions between Andy and Harry go beyond physical pleasure bringing out questions that need to be answered, truths that need to be accepted and a life that stands to be reckoned.

"Amen" makes two characters meet, experience hope amidst confusion, explore truths about sexuality and the self and delves into the profound meaning of life in the continuum of its trifles. The film reflect the diversity of issues that the community continues to face — from social prejudices to the predicament of acknowledging their sexuality.[3] [4] [5] [6]

Reception

The film is inspired from the life of the human right activist Harish Iyer.[7] [8] Amen explores gay relationship like no other movie has done before. It teaches the world that life does not allow one to choose his sexuality, one is born with it.[9] Amen strives to be unapologetically accurate in its depiction of gay relationships, and the intricacies and challenges faced by gay individuals in India today. The dynamics of how we accept our sexual orientation and live with it in contemporary society are poignantly shown in the movie, which provokes thought about how we form our identity based on ourselves, our past experiences and our society. The short also stirs up questions in the viewer's mind – why are we still afraid to accept our own feelings, learn how to go beyond the traumas of our own pasts and learn to go with the flow.[10] [11] [12] [13] [14] Amen is also part of the DVD archived at the Kinsey Institute, Indiana University[15]

In 2011 Amen was selected as the only Indian film on the Iris Prize, also known as the 'gay Oscars',[16] list of 30 top LGBT films from across the globe.[17] [18]

Cast

Controversies

Amen fell into controversy with Central Board of Film Certification and the struggle went on for six months until the short was granted permission to be released with an adult certificate by the review committee.[23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28]

Film festivals

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'Ray of hope' for gay cinema as Indian film festival lands in Europe. 23 November 2012. 3 March 2018. 14 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170814182312/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/ray-hope-gay-cinema-indian-film-festival-lands-europe231112/#gs.null. dead.
  2. http://www.passionfilmindia.com/film-amen/{{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  3. Web site: Film festival puts spotlight on alternate sexuality - Times of India. . 3 March 2018.
  4. Web site: Filmimpressions.com. www.filmimpressions.com. 3 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160825190132/http://www.filmimpressions.com/home/2010/10/essay-state-of-the-queer.html. 25 August 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  5. News: Shot from the margins. Arghya. Ganguly. Business Standard India . 15 May 2011. 3 March 2018. Business Standard.
  6. Web site: AMEN - A Cinema born. vinatananda.blogspot.in. 3 March 2018.
  7. Web site: 'Amen' — A gay rights activist's life on 70mm - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis. 24 February 2012. 3 March 2018.
  8. Web site: Ellen in the city . asianage.com . 10 May 2016 . 3 March 2018.
  9. News: I am a survivor: Harish Iyer . The New Indian Express . 3 March 2018 . 26 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160826070540/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article447294.ece . dead .
  10. Web site: Amen . Pink Pages . 11 October 2010 . 3 March 2018 . Kumar, Das Sourendra.
  11. Web site: Movie Review : Amen - Gaysi . The Gay Desi . 5 July 2010 . 3 March 2018 . Pandyan, Ramya.
  13. News: Straddling two worlds . Mid-Day . 25 May 2011 . 3 March 2018 . Phukan, VIikram.
  14. Web site: Homosexuality Is Ab-NormaL . https://web.archive.org/web/20150831092238/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDExLzA5LzE2I0FyMDUzMDA%3D . dead . 31 August 2015 . Times of India . 3 March 2018 . Sahoo, Madhusmita . epaper.timesofindia.com.
  15. Web site: Amen : a story inspired by the life of Harish Iyer . 3 March 2018 . iucat.iu.edu.
  16. Web site: Attitude.co.uk - Exclusive - Check out the LGBT films nominated for Best of British at this year's Iris Prize. 3 March 2018. 2016-09-08. 25 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170225150246/http://attitude.co.uk/exclusive-check-out-the-lgbt-films-nominated-for-best-of-british-at-this-years-iris-prize/. dead.
  17. Web site: g_b Re: AMEN amongst top 30 gay films PLAYING TODAY@ IRIS PRIZE festival, Cardiff. www.mail-archive.com. 3 March 2018.
  18. Web site: KASHISH 2011. Administrator. www.mumbaiqueerfest.com. 3 March 2018. 5 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170305012451/http://www.mumbaiqueerfest.com/kashish2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=109:kashish-2011&catid=34:demo-category&Itemid=28. dead.
  19. Web site: Karan Mehra bases his role as a homosexual on activist Harish Iyer. archive.mid-day.com. 3 March 2018.
  20. Web site: Karan Mehra. .
  21. Web site: Ragini MMS 2 actor Karan Mehra's film becomes US university syllabus!. 21 February 2015. 3 March 2018.
  22. Web site: Jitin Gulati. IMDb. 3 March 2018.
  23. Web site: Fed up With Heavy School Bags, 2 Students Hold Press Meet. 23 August 2016 . 3 March 2018.
  24. Web site: CBFC orders cuts in film on child abuse. 16 February 2012. 3 March 2018.
  25. Web site: DVD of Amen. buisnessnewstrends.blogspot.in. 3 March 2018.
  26. Web site: Gay themed film "Amen" denied permission by Censor Board - Pink Pages. 11 February 2012. 3 March 2018.
  27. Web site: Fight For CinePride! LANGUAGE EDIT DEMANDS IN "Amen"!. www.hiyer.net. 3 March 2018.
  28. Web site: Screen test - Indian Express. archive.indianexpress.com. 3 March 2018.
  29. Web site: I Want Your Love.
  30. Web site: KASHISH goes to Europe. Administrator. mumbaiqueerfest.com. 3 March 2018. 4 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180304043722/http://mumbaiqueerfest.com/kashish2013/europe. dead.
  31. Web site: Exploring those intimacies . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305074322/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/MIRRORNEW/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=MMIR/2010/10/03&GZ=T&ViewMode=HTML&EntityId=Ar02400&AppName=1. dead. 5 March 2016.
  32. Web site: Amen. 23 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160826074854/http://www.buzzintown.com/delhi/events/amen-film/segment--venue-map/id--298577.html. 26 August 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  33. Web site: Caribbean and South Asian LGBT Films to Screen in NYC This Weekend. 14 October 2011. 3 March 2018. 4 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180304172639/https://www.glaad.org/node/35067. dead.
  34. Web site: Program Guide. 23 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923143222/https://www.threedollarbillcinema.org/images/uploads/ProgramGuide_SLGFF2011_members.pdf. 23 September 2016. dead.
  35. Web site: SSAFF 2011 :: Sat - Cinema - 4:30 - I AM. ssaff.tasveer.org. 3 March 2018.
  36. Web site: Rio Festival. 23 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161220062330/http://www.riofgc.com/LISTA%20DOS%20FILMES%20SELECIONADOS%202012.pdf. 20 December 2016. dead.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Amen (2010 film)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.