Film with city cast in Oscar race
A film shot almost entirely in Calcutta, and featuring mostly a Bengali cast and crew that included Arindam Sil as executive producer and actor, has been nominated for this year’s Oscars.
Raju, made by Germany’s Hamburg Media School, is in contention for the Best Short Film (Live Action) at the 84th Academy Awards, to be given out at the Kodak Theatre on February 26. The nomination was announced on Tuesday.
The film revolves around a German couple who come to Calcutta and adopt an orphaned boy. City lad Krish Gupta essayed the title role.
Besides Tolly actor Sil in production and acting roles, the 24-minute film has Suchismita Dasgupta as its costume designer.
“I can’t believe it,” was how Sil reacted when Metro shared the Oscar news with him. “I knew we were making something special but an Oscar nomination is really incredible news,” he gushed.
Director Max Zahle and producer Stefan Gieren had zeroed in on Calcutta after their research revealed illegal child adoption was rampant in the city. “Although they were film students, it was a huge learning experience for all of us in the methodical way they approached the film,” recounted Sil.
Raju has already won many accolades and awards, including the Bronze Medal at the Student Academy Awards.
Calcutta has become a regular feature at the Oscars. In 2008, Salim Baba, a documentary about a roving Cinemawallah from Marcus Road, was nominated for an Oscar. In 2004, Born Into Brothels, a look at kids in Calcutta’s red-light district, won the academy award for Best Documentary.
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