Projects in genres: Asian

Synopsis

A coming of age drama about friends torn apart by choices, set in London's fast-paced clubland. Everywhere and Nowhere follows the journey of a young man, Ash, navigating through the minefield of strict family life and secret liaisons over a roller-coaster of a weekend to gain his ultimate dream of becoming a club DJ.

Synopsis

Molly (8), an only child of a Pakistani father and British mother, watches her parents' marriage disintegrate before her eyes as mum embarks on a romantic relationship with another man. In a disturbing dream Molly fantasises with killing mum's lover to put an end to the extramarital affair, subconsciously wishing that putting mum's lover out of the picture will bring things back to normal in her family. But things are far from normal when mum disappears after a heated argument with dad.

Synopsis

Reggae, Punk and Bhangra musicians from the UK city of Birmingham discuss their distinctive musical styles and reflect on how music has played its own role in fostering a new sense of collective identity in the city. Including interviews and archives from Steel Pulse, UB40, Swami, Au Pairs and Nightingales.

Synopsis

Abdul has been hiding out in his launderette for days, unable to deal with the world outside. Despite pleas from his brother, Abdul is determined to run from the one thing he has to accept, fate.

Synopsis

Nothing Is Impossible is a portrait of Fauja Singh: a 98 year-old long distance runner who keeps running. He holds the fastest over 90 year-old marathon race time, and he defies perceived notions of age with a twinkle in his eye and an infectious zest for life.

Synopsis

The secrets of Kolkata is revealed by overweight, dance-obsessed, intrepid detective Rajesh Ji. Mixing dance and hit songs with the harsh lives of clients, this originally styled feature documentary provides an entertaining yet poignant look at modern India through the prism of crime. What happens when a population loses trust in its police and authorities? There is a new phenomenon happening in India today - the boom of the private detective. Poisonings, adultery, fraud and the occasional murder - such are the day to day investigations of Kolkata's Bengali Detective - Rajesh Ji.   This film follows the intrepid detective and his motley band of helpers on raids and investigations as they enter the hidden lives of clients, victims and perpetrators. Yet on his off hours, Rajesh indulges his inner dance fanatic as he harbors a dream of becoming an international star - whilst trying to look after his desperately sick wife and small son.

Synopsis

This is a film about family: a young Chinese couple strive to live a free life in the face of the harsh reality of life filled with restrictions. Jun and Long are two lovers, who decide to get married after Jun becomes pregnant in order to avoid any stigma in a traditional Chinese society. Struggling to take care of the newborn baby on their own, Jun's parents arrive to help, which strains the relationship between the couple. As lecturers while studying for their PHD diplomas, Long is particularly torn between his dream of freedom and the reality of a powerful traditional culture and Jun is torn between the bond she eventually forms with her child and her need to excel in her career and possibly take an extended work trip to Australia. This is the incredible story of a simple tale; the battle between love, life and tradition in modern China.

Synopsis

Where is my friend? is a film exploring the issues faced by our vulnerable youth who are targeted by fundamentalists for recruitment; for the purposes of committing atrocities in the name of Islam.

Synopsis

It's been 20 years since Peri the Kurd first walked into the town of Halabja in the aftermath of the chemical gas attack Saddam Hussein launched against the Kurdish people. 20 years since he buried his best friend and his Kalashnikov and walked west. West and West and West and until I ended up in Glasgow, which was as west as I could get. Filmed over 5 years, Kurdi tells the story of a man in search of himself, his people, his gun and a country that doesn't exist.

Synopsis

At three, Budhia Singh had already run six 13-mile half-marathons. Born into the slums of Bhubaneswar in the eastern Indian state of Orissa, Budhia's mother sold him to a peddler for 800 rupees. Not long after Biranchi Das, a judo teacher who also runs an orphanage, bought him back, and soon discovers Budhia's talent for running. But when Biranchi has the four year old Budhia run 42 miles, the debate begins: is he providing Budhia with a rare opportunity, or is he exploiting a boy too young to know what he really wants. When the government gets involved the case becomes a political football, and rumours of vast sums of money attract gangsters eager to drive a wedge between Biranchi and Budhia. What starts out as a real Slumdog Millionaire turns into a the stuff of film noir, a tale of dreams, greed, and envy, with a child at its centre.

Synopsis

Tony is a teenager whose inscrutable Chinese dad has a near-death experience in a car crash. Tony yearns to break down the cultural barriers between him and his Dad before it's too late.

Synopsis

This is a film about two comedians. Maung Thura, better known as Zarganar, is Burma's greatest living comic. Relentlessly victimised by the Burmese military junta, he is now in prison. Michael Mittermeier, in stark contrast, is free to practise his art of humour and provocation as one of Germany's leading stand up comedians.