By Shriyam Gupta
“Cinema is the most beautiful fraud in the world” Jean Luc Godard
There is a new audience in the city that is looking to spend time exploring alternative cinema around town. This ‘info-tainment’ is a great way to spend time productively and at the same time, learn something new. Thus, we bring you a selection of places in the city that bring you the best of cinema from different parts of the world. Films that one would, in all probability, never watch on television or on the big screen… films from places that one would never visit, or films that are in languages {with subtitles} one may never come to speak.
They say the best things in life are free, and so is the entry to these places.
IRON CURTAIN |
The Cinema café offers exclusive screenings in its 15 seater room. They are also open to private bookings. Their movie selection spans across genres covering documentaries, and popular Hollywood and Bollywood classics.
Likely to find | Hollywood and Bollywood classics; Foreign; Documentaries
Timings | Mostly at 9 pm {open to all}
Where | 19, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi
Contact | 011 64781709, 011 64781710
More Information | http://www.facebook.com/ironcurtainhkv%3C/a%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost
INDIA HABITAT CENTRE |
The award winning society, Habitat Film Club organizes film screenings at the center. Its association with the national film club gives it access to films across genres. Do look out for visiting actors and directors that frequent their screenings for interactive sessions.
Likely to find | Foreign; Classics from around the world; Documentaries; Interactive sessions; Experimental; Noir; Film festivals {Slovakian, Satyajit Ray, Mexican}
Timings | 7 pm on weekdays {All day during festivals}
Where | India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
Contact | 011 43663333, Extn. 3093
More Information | http://www.habitatfilmclub.com/index.php%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost
INDIA INTERNATIONAL CENTER | Started in 1966, the Film Club is the oldest of its kind in the city. It is known for screening rare films that have left incredible marks in the world of cinema. These include films from lesser known regions, and works of critically acclaimed directors such as Jean Renoir, Kaurismaki Brothers {Finland}; and Pedro Almodovar {Spain} among others. Likely to find | Documentaries; Noir; Experimental; Foreign; Retrospectives; Film festivals {Asian Women’s Film documentaries, Travelling films, Persistence-Resistance} Timings | 6-7 pm on selected weekdays Where | India International Center, 40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi Contact | 011 24619431 More Information | http://www.iicdelhi.nic.in/?q=node/34%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E&utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE | The French Center offers the best selection of French cinema. These include the likes of Jacquot from Nantes {Jacquot de Nantes} and The Killer of Montmartre {Le Tueur de Montmartre}. At times, they also have documentaries and host film festivals. Likely to find | French films; Documentaries Timings | 6.30 pm {mostly on Fridays - subject to change} Where | Alliance Française, 72. Lodhi Estate, New Delhi Contact | 011 43 500 200 More Information | http://delhi.afindia.org/about-us%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost
INSTITUTO CERVANTES | Every Sunday they bring the finest Spanish cinema. Film selections include works from Latin America, Mexico and Spain. To promote Spanish and Indian cultural interaction, they regularly invite young film enthusiasts to make short films. Likely to find | Spanish films; Documentaries; Cult films Timings | 4.30 pm {mostly on Sundays} Where | 48 Hanuman Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi Contact | 011 4368 1907 More Information | http://nuevadelhi.cervantes.es/en/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost
ITALIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE | The Italian Center brings the crème de la crème of the Italian film industry every Wednesday and Saturday. Their selections include mainly Italian feature films and classics, such as IL Nome Della Rosa {The name of the rose} and the works of actors such as Robert di Niro. Likely to find | Italian selections; Cult films Timings | 2 pm and 6.30 pm {Saturday and Wednesday} Where | 50-E Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 Contact | 011 26871901/03 More Information | http://www.iicnewdelhi.esteri.it/IIC_Newdelhi%3C/a%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost MAX MUELLER BHAVAN | Their selection includes documentaries, feature films and German classics, along with experimental cinema, which is followed by an interactive session. They have previously showcased the likes of Chris Kraus, Christian Petzold and Pepe Danquart. Likely to find | Interactive sessions; Documentaries; Experimental Timings | 6 pm {various weekdays} Where | 3 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi Contact | 011 2332 9506 More Information | http://www.goethe.de/newdelhi%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost
AMERICAN CENTER | Besides the occasional documentaries and classics, the center screens latest Hollywood feature films regularly. Their screening hall is no less than a movie theatre. Before the Oscars, they have special screenings of nominated films. Likely to find | Hollywood classics; Cults; Blockbusters; Oscar nominated films Timings | 6-7 pm {Mostly on Fridays} Where | 24 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Connaught Place Contact | 011 23314251 and 011 23316841 More Information | https://www.facebook.com/americancenternewdelhi%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost
* Film screenings are a great way to meet like-minded people and learn about cinema that is slowly receding into the background. Here are a few film clubs that organize regular screenings | Film booth | Dedicated to promoting short films and cinema in the city, they hold regular screenings and competitions. Read about them here. http://www.filmbooth.in/index.html%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost
Shamiana | Asia’s largest short film club will offer you the best selection from around the world. Read about them here. https://www.facebook.com/Shamianashorts%3C/a%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost Light Cube | Started in 2012, an emerging film club that is very active with competitions and screenings. Read about them here. http://lightcube.in/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost
