On the occasion of one of India’s internationally renowned film-maker, Satyajit Ray’s birthday on May 2, Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting informed that the master’s restored film “Pratidwandi” will be screened at Cannes Film Festival on May 18.
He went on to add that the National Film Archives of Pune has been working hard and extensively to restore the films of the maestro Satyajit Ray.
The Secretary was addressing a gathering after unveiling a life-size bronze sculpture of the maestro in the campus of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute at Kolkata. The life-like image of the director was conceived and executed by a young artist, Arnab Gan Chowdhury.
Besides, Chandra who is also the Chairman, SRFTI Society also opened the Ray Renaissance Art Gallery in the campus. He did the honours along with Academy Award winner Resul Pookutty in memory of Ray.
This new gallery has an exhibition of Ray's own works, who was not just a filmmaker but also a graphic designer. The works of this ace director — who began his career as a graphic illustrator in an advertising agency — include book covers, film posters, advertisement contents and even a font, the Ray Roman.
The gallery over a period of time will host exhibitions on painting, photography, illustration, sculpture and other creative installations while attracting thinking minds, boosting creative expression and interaction.
The award ceremony of Satyajit Ray Centenary Student's Short Film Competition on the theme Realism was also held which saw participation of 69 films from different national and international film schools.
While “A Swedish Defence” directed by Simon Elvas received the best film under the International category award, the Best film under National category went to “Sorry For Your Loss”, directed by Rishaya Palkhivala.
The awardees were presented a trophy, certificate and prize amount of Rs.One lakh.
On the occasion PG Diploma was conferred on a total of 79 students of the 14th batch of Film wing and second batch of EDM wing.
