‘Silent Era’ to be released in London
The Indian silent classic ‘A Throw of Dice’, digitally restored by the BFI National Archive, will be released in cinemas across the United Kingdom on August 31.
According to a BFI release, a special free preview of this spectacular melodrama will be shown on a giant screen in Trafalgar Square on August 30, forming one of the highlights of the Mayor of London’s ‘India Now’ celebrations.
It will be presented with a new orchestral score by award-winning musician, producer and composer Nitin Sawhney whose distinctive compositional style, steeped in both western and South Asian musical traditions, has resulted in an evocative, lyrical accompaniment to this sumptuous film.
On this special occasion, Nitin and his band will join the London Symphony Orchestra for a live performance of his score.
The project has become a reality thanks to support of the UK Film Council, Film London, and the Mayor of London.
Inspired by an episode from the ancient Hindu legend Mahabharata, ‘A Throw of Dice’ is both a passionate love story and a warning tale about the addictive power of gambling.
Two neighbouring kings share a passion for the same woman - Sunita, the daughter of a hermit - and for reckless gambling. Following dramatic events during a royal tiger hunt, King Ranjit is nursed back to health by the beautiful Sunita. However, his wicked rival, King Sohat, persuades him to risk his kingdom and his love in a fateful game of dice.
Described by Sawhney as ‘a cross between Chaplin, Cecil B. DeMille and an early Bollywood movie’, this silent epic was the result of a unique partnership between German director Franz Osten and Indian actor-producer Himansu Rai.
Shot on location in Rajasthan, it features over 10,000 extras and an impressive array of horses, elephants and tigers. Its star actors all had major careers in Indian cinema and remain legendary and much-loved figures.
Nitin Sawhney’s shimmering score brilliantly transforms this silent classic into a fresh and engaging artistic experience almost eighty years after its first release.
Following its launch in Trafalgar Square, ‘A Throw of Dice’ will be shown on screen at over 20 cinemas around the country which form part of the UK Film Council’s Digital Screen Network It will be screened between August 30 and September 30 at the Dukes Lancaster,Showroom Sheffield, Derby Quad, Phoenix East Finchley, Duke of York’s Brighton, Cambridge Arts Picturehouse, Phoenix Oxford, Broadway Nottingham, MacRoberts Art Centre Stirling, Glasgow Film Theatre, The Barn Dartington, Rio Cinema Dalston, Harbour Lights Southampton, Everyman Hampstead, Greenwich Picturehouse Cornerhouse Manchester, Chapter Cardiff, Filmhouse Edinburgh, Tyneside Newcastle, Ritzy Brixton, National
Media Museum Bradford, Exeter Picturehouse, Picturehouse at FACT Liverpool and City Screen York
The grandson of actor Himansu Rai and the great-niece of Charu Roy will be attending the screening in Trafalgar Square.
The BFI is further supporting ‘India Now’ with a season of contemporary films called Indian Cinema Now at BFI Southbank from August 1 to 29.
‘India Now’ is a three-month season backed by the Mayor London celebrating London’s strengthening relationship with India and exploring India’s culture and its contribution to London life.
Over 150 of London’s cultural organisations and attractions will be involved in the programme, which features more than 1,500 events, activities and festivals across the capital dedicated to Indian art, film, food, theatre, music, fashion, and business.
Cultural institutions and organisations participating in India Now include BFI Southbank, Victoria and Albert Museum, the South Bank and Barbican centres, Watermans, Thames Festival, the Institute of Contemporary Arts and Akademi.
The BFI cares for the largest and most significant archive of moving image in the world. The collection contains more than 140,000 documentary titles, 60,000 fiction films and 675,000 television programmes, revealing an extraordinary picture of the world as seen by film-makers since 1895.
— ANI
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