tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75755723262028318042011-04-21T13:07:58.327-07:00Tasveer, stimulating independent thinking through film. Tasveer, was founded in 2002 and has organized over 130 thought-provoking programs about South Asia. To join our mailing list, visit http://tasveer.org/mailing/.Tasveer ISAFF 2008http://www.blogger.com/profile/16639554063062625880noreply@blogger.comBlogger121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575572326202831804.post-18590304584690276202008-09-29T10:20:00.000-07:002008-09-29T16:22:31.533-07:00

By Shahana DattaguptaYesterday was the last and final day of ISAFF. The day’s primary focus was on two topics – HIV/AIDS education and love in various forms of marriage and intimate relationships – explored through a series of short films and a presentation.I found the shorts made on HIV/AIDS quite artistically and sensitively treated. In the past I have only seen dry documentaries on this topic,

Tasveer ISAFF 2008http://www.blogger.com/profile/16639554063062625880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575572326202831804.post-50975217364678270532008-09-28T22:43:00.000-07:002008-09-28T22:48:05.263-07:00

By Shahana DattaguptaDay 4 of ISAFF was an intense day. Not only because the core programming focusing on LGBTQ issues was featured on Saturday, but also because it was inherently discussion rich. In a way, the essence of this festival – to spur dialogue and debate – was experienced in full volume.The day began with a panel discussion on Gender and Sexuality in Independent Films, featuring 4

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By Shahana DattaguptaDay 3 of ISAFF had many themes running through it, but this one seemed to jump out at me: Romance with a Twist.The evening started out with a lower turnout than one might expect on a Friday night, but filled in pretty quickly, as two full-length features (along with two shorts) were screened - Santosh Sivan’s Before the Rains, and Amyn Kaderali’s Kissing Cousins. Amyn flew up

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By Shahana DattaguptaDay 2 of ISAFF reminded me -experientially- what’s different about this film festival. It is not just about screening films, but about creating a safe space for dialogue about real, pressing socio-political issues.Last night there was a unique alignment of vision and impact. 26 refugees evicted from Bhutan, who have just arrived in Seattle, made their way to ISAFF and were

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Last night the 5th ISAFF opened with a bang! An energetic buzz rang in the lobby of the Broadway Performance Hall and the hall itself filled to 70% of its capacity. Archana Kumar, Kathak dancer and choreographer returned to Seattle to present a riveting piece specially crafted for ISAFF, dancing to the fusion music of Seattle-based Indian/Afro-Cuban band Anjuman.The opening night screening

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by Shahana DattaguptaJihad is a term floating around ubiquitously these days. In fact the “war on terror” has globally, and perhaps permanently, branded Jihad as the generic evil force against which the said war is being valiantly fought. As a gal raised in India, I have experienced the insidious fear of terrorist attacks and bomb-blasts in and around Delhi throughout my high school and college

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By - Mala Nagarajan, co-founder of Trikone Northwest, a Seattle based non-profit organization that provides a supportive and safe space for differently oriented South Asians.What does it mean actually, this 'queer' thing?The word ‘queer’ means different things to different people. Many older Asian Pacific Islanders, including South Asians, who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender,

Tasveer ISAFF 2008http://www.blogger.com/profile/16639554063062625880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575572326202831804.post-42626993886173680192008-09-19T23:52:00.000-07:002008-09-19T23:54:58.608-07:00

By Shahana DattaguptaDonkey in Lahore is a documentary about a very unlikely love across cultural, religious and geographic borders as far apart as you could imagine … yes, Australia and Pakistan! A love across continents! While this is a documentary, it takes on somewhat of a reality-TV flair because the narrator, whom one never sees but hears, voyeuristically follows the development of this

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By Shahana DattaguptaHomosexuality has been a feature of human culture and expression since earliest history. In East Asian history (e.g., China) it has been recorded since 600 BCE; in ancient Greece certain forms of erotic attraction and sexual pleasure between males were often an ingrained, accepted part of the cultural norm, and homosexual expression in native Africa took a variety of forms.

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Core ISAFF volunteers and organizers were asked a few questions by ISAFF blog writer Shahana Dattagupta to better understand the theme of the film festival. Anil Vora, a dedicated ISAFF volunteer since 2004, provided the following answers. We are posting them directly to the blog.WHY IS ISAFF FOCUSSING ON LGBT FILMS THIS YEAR?In the United States, there are over 25 film festivals dedicated

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Personal is Political : South Asian Lens on Vibrant LoveThe 5-year evolution of Seattle’s Independent South Asian Film FestivalBy Shahana Dattagupta Having been a close witness to the journey of Tasveer, a local grassroots film organization, I am thrilled that this family of courageous, independent film enthusiasts is demonstrating a marked evolution (and revolution) in presenting perspective

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Click here to read testimonies from local South Asian LGBTQ group Trikone NW

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