New Delhi: ‘Stage Adaptation Film Festival’ celebrates the translation of the theatrical drama onto the silver screen. The three day film festival from 21st- 23rd August 2014, organized by American Center in collaboration with Cinedarbaar would showcase 6 Popular Adaptations.
‘The Philadelphia Story’ a two times Oscar winning movie, directed by George Cukor would open the festival. The movie is based on the play of the same name written by Philip Barry. The classic and much-loved romantic melodrama ‘Casablanca’ by Michael Curtiz has won 3 Oscars. The sentimental triangular love story is set against the backdrop of the wartime conflict between democracy and totalitarianism. Also a dark comedy film by Frank Capra ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ based on Joseph Kesselring’s play would grace the festival on the second day. Movies scheduled for the last day of the festival are the Academy award winners ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Elia Kazan, a subversive, steamy film classic that was adapted from Tennessee Williams’ 1947 Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. ‘Deathtrap’ a murder mystery by Sidney Lumet based on Ira Levin’s play. Lastly ‘Amadeus’ adaptation of Peter Shaffer’s Broadway hit and winner of 8 Oscars directed by Milos Forman would mark the end of the festival.
Stage-to-film adaptations have been popular since the beginning of motion pictures and as the popularity of films grew, Hollywood began borrowing plots as well as actors and directors from Broadway, some of which turned out to be the triumphs and others could not succeed at the Box Office. On some occasions, playwrights re-write their stage dramas for the screen, as Peter Shaffer did for Amadeus (1984). An advantage that film has over theatre is that the film can convey the message through imagery, rather than dialogue. Great filmmakers consider these notions and turn an original work into something new without losing the soul and integrity of what it was formerly.
The movie screenings will be followed by interactive sessions, conducted by speaker’s Anugyan Nag and Kumar Unnayan. Anugyan who is a film scholar and an independent filmmaker would speak regarding the significance of stage plays and screenplays and stage adaptations of the movies ‘The Philadelphia Story’ and ‘Casablanca.’ He is currently a senior research doctoral fellow at the School of Arts and Aesthetics completing his Ph.D. in Cinema studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University. His films have been nominated, screened and awarded at various National and International Film Festivals. Kumar Unnayan, a postgraduate in English Literature is a keen theater and cinema enthusiast. He will take up interactive sessions on ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and ‘Deathtrap’ talking about the acting techniques and the transition of stage plays to screen plays in these films.
The entry to the festival is free and open for general public. Come and witness the adaptation of theatre onto the screen. You can also win exciting prizes by answering fun quiz questions based on the movies. Handouts which will include film reviews will also be available at the venue after each screening for the visitors. Please carry an original valid photo ID to enter the American Center.