New Delhi (TIP)- Murtaza Ali Khan, noted Indian film critic and curator, was invited by the Federal Republic of Germany to attend the prestigious 74th Berlin International Film Festival. As a distinguished guest of the Federal Republic of Germany, Khan’s participation underscored the strong cultural ties between India and Germany. The festival was held in Berlin from 15 – 25 February, 2024.
Hosted by the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany through its Visitors Programme, Khan’s attendance at the Berlinale presented a unique opportunity for him to engage with various luminaries from the global cinema industry. During his visit, Khan got a firsthand taste of the vibrant culture of Germany. His itinerary included visits to prominent institutions such as Deutsche Kinemathek – Museum für Film und Fernsehen, Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf, Federal Foreign Office, and Goethe-Institute, Berlin. Additionally, Khan participated in events organized by Berlinale Talents and engaged in discussions on film financing and location promotion.
The Berlin International Film Festival, established in 1951, is renowned for its rich history and serves as a vital platform for intercultural exchange and critical exploration of societal issues. Khan’s presence at the festival as a critic, cultural writer, and curator further enhances the dialogue between India and Germany, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to fostering global understanding through cinema.
This year the Berlin International Film Festival witnessed a very strong Indian presence with films such Raam Reddy’s ‘The Fable,’ Siddartha Jatla’s ‘In the Belly of a Tiger,’ PS Vinothraj’s ‘The Adamant Girl,’ Gavati Wad’s ‘O Seeker,’ Nishi Dugar’s short film ‘Sour Candy,’ and Subarna Dash’s animated short film The Girl Who Lived in the Loo, among others. ‘The Fable,’ starring Manoj Bajpayee alongside Deepak Dobriyal, Priyanka Bose, and Tillotama Shome, made its debut at the 2024 Berlinale in the festival’s competitive Encounters section, garnering praise from critics and audiences worldwide.
In a tribute to a three-decade-long illustrious, the Tagore Centre at the Indian Embassy in Berlin paid homage to Manoj Bajpayee. The event, hosted by Trisha Sakhlecha, Director of the Tagore Centre, coincided with the premiere of ‘The Fable’ at the 74th Berlinale. The celebration, commemorating both Manoj Bajpayee’s 30-year career and the foundation of the Tagore Centre, drew a diverse crowd of fans from India and Germany. Parvathaneni Harish, the Ambassador of India to Germany, also graced the occasion alongside various distinguished dignitaries, including the German Diplomat Karsten Warnecke, the former Ambassador and Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), who currently heads the Cultural & Societal Relations with Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean at the Federal Foreign Office.
Murtaza Ali Khan’s participation in the Berlin International Film Festival holds special significance for Indo-German cultural exchange as Khan is set to curate a rare retrospective for the Indian audiences based on the legendary German filmmaker Fritz Lang known for films such as Metropolis, M, The Testament of Dr. Mabuse, etc. Back in 2022, Khan had curated and presented a very unique film festival dedicated to the city of Berlin at the India Habitat Centre for the Embassy of Germany.