NFAI gets 60 French films

As many as 60 French films produced between 1946 to 2011 are now part of the collection of National Film Archive of India (NFAI). The films were passed on to NFAI by the French Embassy in India. The films are for archival and will be screened for cinema education purpose, according to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) . “58 films are 35-mm prints, one is 16-mm and one is a DVD,” said Prakash Magdum, director of NFAI.

“French cinema has a rich history… The films procured have enhanced and enriched the NFAI collection,” said Magdum, adding that in the past too NFAI had received films from the French Embassy. Over a month ago, the embassy had sent a list of French films and then things fell into place over time.

Some of the acclaimed and award-winning French films that are part of the collection are La Belle et la Bête (1946), Ascenseur Pour L’Echafaud (1958), Belle de Jour (1967), Les Diaboliques (1955), Orpheus (1950) and others.

Having procured these gems of French cinema, the NFAI plans to hold a screening. “We are yet to finalise the dates, but will soon hold a small festival for the film enthusiasts in the city,” said Magdum.