Amen (2010 film)

Amen
Film poster
Directed by Ranadeep Bhattacharyya
Judhajit Bagchi
Produced by Yaanus Films
Valentina Erath
Harish Iyer
Written by Ranadeep Bhattacharyya
Judhajit Bagchi
Starring Karan Veer Mehra (Karan Mehra)
Jitin Gulati
Music by Jonathon Fessenden
Cinematography Varun Sud
Edited by Ranadeep Bhattacharyya
Judhajit Bagchi
Release date
 2012 (DVD, India)
Running time
 24 minutes
Country India
Language Indian English

Amen is an internationally acclaimed [1] short film directed, written and produced by Ranadeep Bhattacharyya & Judhajit Bagchi in 2010 and was released on DVD in 2012 in association with Passion Film.[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]

Reviews and Appreciation

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, you're 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][15][16] Amen is also part of the DVD archived at the Kinsey Institute, Indiana University [17][18]

In 2011 Amen was selected as the only Indian film on the Iris Prize, also known as the ‘gay Oscars’,[19] list of 30 top LGBT films from across the globe.[20][21]

Cast

Karan Veer Mehra (Karan Mehra)[22][23][24][25] – Harry
Jitin Gulati[26] – Andy
Madhusmita Sahoo - Tina (voice)

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.[27][28][29][30][31][32]

Film Festivals

  • 23rd New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Film Festival, NewFest 2011
  • 16th Chéries-Chéris, festival du film lesbien, gay, bi, trans, queer et ++++ de Paris, Paris 2010[33]
  • Mumbai Queer Film Festival, Mumbai, 2011[34]
  • Iris Prize Film Festival, Cardiff, UK, 2011[21]
  • Engendered I View Film Festival New York, 2010[35]
  • 22nd Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, Hong Kong 2011
  • 9th Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai, 2010
  • Yes India Film Festival, New Zealand, 2010
  • 4th Nigah Queer Fest, New Delhi, 2010[36]
  • 6th ViBGYOR International Film Festival, Thissur, 2011
  • Fort Myers International Film Festival, Florida, 2011
  • 13th Q Cinema, Fort Worth's Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival
  • 4th International Documentary and Short Film Festival, Kerala, 2011
  • Queer Caribbean Film Festival, New York, 2011[37]
  • Florence Queer film festival, 2011
  • Asian Hot Shots, Berlin, 2011
  • 10th Q ! Film Festival, Indonesia, 2011
  • Cinemarosa Film Screening, New York, 2011
  • 16th Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 2011[38]
  • 7th Seattle South Asia Film Festival 2011, USA[39]
  • 50th Indian Documentary Producer's Association Awards (IDPA)
  • Asian Queer Film Festival, Japan
  • Gay Film Nights Film Festival, Romania, 2011
  • SIGNS 2012, Kerala
  • Bangalore Queer Film Fest 2012
  • PINK APPLE FILM FESTIVAL, Switzerland 2012
  • Rio Gay Film Festival, Rio de Janeiro – Brazil, 2012[40]

Won

Best Indian Narrative Short at Mumbai Queer Film Festival, Mumbai, 2011 [21][41]

Gold Award Best Script for Short Fiction at the 50th IDPA Awards, Mumbai, 2011

References

  1. ↑ "'Ray of hope' for gay cinema as Indian film festival lands in Europe". 23 November 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  2. ↑ http://www.passionfilmindia.com/film-amen/
  3. ↑ "Film festival puts spotlight on alternate sexuality - Times of India". Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  4. ↑ "Filmimpressions.com". www.filmimpressions.com. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  5. ↑ Ganguly, Arghya (15 May 2011). "Shot from the margins". Retrieved 3 March 2018 – via Business Standard.
  6. ↑ "AMEN - A Cinema born". vinatananda.blogspot.in. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  7. ↑ "'Amen' — A gay rights activist's life on 70mm - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". 24 February 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  8. ↑ "Ellen in the city". 10 May 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  9. ↑ "I am a survivor: Harish Iyer". Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  10. ↑ "Amen - Pink Pages". 11 October 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  11. ↑ "Movie Review : Amen - Gaysi". 5 July 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  12. ↑ "Filmimpressions.com". www.filmimpressions.com. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  13. ↑ "Film festival puts spotlight on alternate sexuality - Times of India". Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  14. ↑ "Movie Review: AMEN". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  15. ↑ "Straddling two worlds". 25 May 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  16. ↑ "HOMOSEXUALITY IS AB-NORMAL". epaper.timesofindia.com. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  17. ↑ "Amen : a story inspired by the life of Harish Iyer - Search Results - IUCAT Kinsey". iucat.iu.edu. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  18. ↑ "Search Results - IUCAT Kinsey". iucat.iu.edu. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  19. ↑ "Attitude.co.uk - Exclusive - Check out the LGBT films nominated for Best of British at this year's Iris Prize". Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  20. ↑ "g_b Re: AMEN amongst top 30 gay films PLAYING TODAY@ IRIS PRIZE festival, Cardiff". www.mail-archive.com. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  21. 1 2 3 Administrator. "KASHISH 2011". www.mumbaiqueerfest.com. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  22. ↑ "Karan Veer Mehra". IMDb. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  23. ↑ "Karan Mehra bases his role as a homosexual on activist Harish Iyer". archive.mid-day.com. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  24. ↑ http://www.msn.com/en-in/entertainment/tv/ragini-mms-2-actor-karan-mehra-turns-gay/ar-BBhMcCH
  25. ↑ "Ragini MMS 2 actor Karan Mehra's film becomes US university syllabus!". 21 February 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  26. ↑ "Jitin Gulati". IMDb. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  27. ↑ "Fed up With Heavy School Bags, 2 Students Hold Press Meet". Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  28. ↑ "CBFC orders cuts in film on child abuse". 16 February 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  29. ↑ "DVD of Amen". buisnessnewstrends.blogspot.in. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  30. ↑ "Gay themed film "Amen" denied permission by Censor Board - Pink Pages". 11 February 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  31. ↑ "Fight For CinePride! LANGUAGE EDIT DEMANDS IN "Amen"!". www.hiyer.net. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  32. ↑ "Screen test - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  33. ↑ http://www.cheries-cheris.com/2010/Courts_gays_2_I_Want%20_Your_Love.html
  34. ↑ Administrator. "KASHISH goes to Europe". mumbaiqueerfest.com. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  35. ↑ http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/MIRRORNEW/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=MMIR%2F2010%2F10%2F03&GZ=T&ViewMode=HTML&EntityId=Ar02400&AppName=1
  36. ↑ http://www.buzzintown.com/delhi/events/amen-film/segment--venue-map/id--298577.html
  37. ↑ "Caribbean and South Asian LGBT Films to Screen in NYC This Weekend". 14 October 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  38. ↑ https://www.threedollarbillcinema.org/images/uploads/ProgramGuide_SLGFF2011_members.pdf
  39. ↑ "SSAFF 2011 :: Sat - Cinema - 4:30 - I AM". ssaff.tasveer.org. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  40. ↑ http://www.riofgc.com/LISTA%20DOS%20FILMES%20SELECIONADOS%202012.pdf
  41. ↑ "Amen". Retrieved 3 March 2018 – via www.imdb.com.

Official Website: http://www.passionfilmindia.com/film-amen/
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1708376/
Amen DVD Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzqEVTBatKM
AMEN Trailer introducing Andy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NS9k0S61gE
AMEN Trailer introducing Harry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy-yqwBSXZU
Yaanus Films: http://www.yaanusfilms.com
Passion Film: http://www.passionfilmindia.com

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