The Revolution of Indian Parallel Cinema in the Global South (1968 1995): From Feminism to Iconoclasm

(Hardback)

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The Revolution of Indian Parallel Cinema in the Global South (1968 1995) investigates one of global films most overlooked and exciting film movements, exploring the momentous rise and fall of Indian Parallel Cinema through detailed case studies, new research and still images. While the contemporary focus has shifted from the glitz of Bollywood to the emergence of a new Indian independent cinema, the history and legacy of Parallel Cinema has been inexplicably overlooked. With Parallel Cinema having celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019, this book acts as a timely intervention at a critical moment, looking back with the intention of reclaiming the history of Parallel Cinema. The story of Parallel Cinema is about a historical and political rupture that transformed the provincial aesthetic and thematic landscape of Indian cinema. In 1969, the Film Finance Corporation (FFC), which was established to support new filmmakers, broke new ground when they financed three distinctive films, all released by newcomers in 1969: Mrinal Sens Bhuvan Shome, Mani Kauls Uski Roti (Our Daily Bread) and Basu Chatterjees Sara Akash (The Whole Sky). The Indian film auteur was born while an anti-establishment voice aligned with the counter-culture of the late 1960s politicized and subsequently polarized Indian cinema. But Parallel Cinema was not just a moment. It led to a sweeping artistic revolution that showcased the diversity of Indian cinema with the creative ascendancy of Parallel Cinema in regional cinemas, notably the South.

Reviews

A fascinating and lively account of Indian Parallel cinema. Locating the books argument around ideas of revolution, the Global South and the cinemas legacy in the 2000s is welcomed and original. * Professor Rajinder Dudrah, Birmingham City University, UK *

Author Bio

Omar Ahmed is a freelance film scholar, international film curator and regularly consults on South Asian film programming for various film festivals and independent cinemas in the UK. He co-curates Not Just Bollywood with Rachel Hayward, HOMEs Head of Film, for HOME cinemas in Manchester, UK. He is currently co-curating a major season of Parallel Cinema films for Il Cinema Ritrovato in Bologna, Italy.