See saw: Child’s Play

The popular wooden marionette of children’s literature travels to Japan in Tokyo-based Opera Theatre Konnyakuza’s adaptation,Opera Pinocchio. On a stage made vibrant by Japanese music (with English subtitles) and dances,and actors playing multiple roles,the adventures of a puppet whose nose grows long every time he tells lies,comes alive. The performance was held at Shri Ram Centre last week and has travelled to Pune,Chennai and Kolkata to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and India. A repeat show will be held at Abhimanch,National School of Drama,on Saturday.

Barfi!’s sweet success

Even as we debate on Barfi! as the country’s official entry to the 85th Academy Awards,the Anurag Basu-directed film has managed to make it to the longlist of the Academy’s Best Foreign Language Film category. It will contend with 70 other films,which includes The Intouchables from France,The Patience Stone from Afghanistan and the first-time entrant,Kenya’s Nairobi Half Life. The Academy will announce a list of five nominated films on January 10 and the ceremony will take place on February 24.