From the 9th to the 15th March, REGENT STREET CINEMA plays host to a vibrant, arresting selection of films
and events as part of the 19th London Asian Film Festival.
Highlights include opening gala and UK premiere of MANGO DREAMS, thought-provoking and thrilling Afghani film UTOPIA and the riveting police drama VISAARANAI (Interrogation).
In MANGO DREAMS, a Hindu doctor with dementia and a Muslim auto rickshaw driver form an unlikely friendship as they journey a thousand miles across India. This English language Indian film presents a warm-hearted look at underlying tensions through the inspirational prism of a road movie. The UK premiere takes place on March 9th at 8pm with Q&A from director John Upchurch.
Three tales of isolation combine in the beautifully expressive UTOPIA. After traveling to the UK for IVF treatment, Janan returns to Afghanistan pregnant, where she learns that William, the medical student who performed her procedure, switched the donor’s semen to his own. The UK premiere takes place on March 11th at 5pm with Q&A from director Hassan Nazer.
VISAARANAI (Interrogation) presents a shocking, real-life look at police corruption in India. In a devious effort to close a politically-connected case, migrant workers are beaten by officers till they confess to a crime they did not commit. When a good-natured officer appears, the men realise the police are mere puppets being controlled by a more dangerous system. The film screens on March 12th at 4.30pm.
