Films witha DiFFerence

After two pandemic-induced online editions, the 11th edition of Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) is back with a physical edition in McLeodganj from November 3 to 6. The lineup, meant to showcase the finest films from India and abroad, does an especially masterful job of spotlighting the diversity and sheer talent of independent films from the subcontinent. Here are some films to look out for:

1 URF: Geetika Narang Abbasi's documentary puts a spotlight on the eccentric, heartfelt, and tragic lives of several lookalikes of Bollywood superstars. Focusing mainly on Firoz Khan a.k.a. Jr Amitabh Bachchan, Kishore Bhanushali a.k.a. Jr Dev Anand and Prashant Wade a.k.a. Ir Shah Rukh Khan, Urf is a fascinating portrait of stardom and anonymity in a cinema-obsessed country.

2 FIRE IN THE MOUNTAINS: Set in the majestic Himalayas, Ajitpal Singh's debut feature is a plucky subversion of a woman's place in a patriarchal society. Depicting a very specific female experience that rarely ever makes its way to the screen, Fire in the Mountains complements its unhurried narrative with splendid visual flourishes and a keen eye for detail.