26th February,2024, Mumbai: Germany’s Berlin [25 February 2024] – The Federal Republic of Germany extended an invitation to renowned Indian cinema critic and curator Murtaza Ali Khan to attend the esteemed 74th Berlin International cinema Festival. Khan’s involvement highlighted the close cultural linkages between Germany and India as a distinguished visitor of the Federal Republic of Germany. Berlin hosted the festival from February 15–25, 2024.
More Details About The Event
With the support of the Federal Republic of Germany’s Foreign Office and its Visitors Programme, Khan was able to interact with a number of international film industry heavyweights during his Berlinale visit. Khan experienced firsthand Germany’s colourful culture during his stay. Among the prestigious establishments on his itinerary were the Goethe-Institut Berlin, Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf, Deutsche Kinemathek – Museum für Film und Fernsehen, and the Federal Foreign Office. Khan additionally took part in Berlinale Talents events and held conversations on film finance and location promotion.
History Of Berlin International Film Festival
Founded in 1951, the Berlin International Film Festival is widely recognised for its extensive history and functions as a crucial forum for cross-cultural communication and analytical examination of social concerns. As a critic, cultural writer, and curator, Khan’s attendance at the festival strengthens the discourse between Germany and India and highlights the festival’s dedication to using film to promote international understanding.
The Berlin International Film Festival is particularly significant for Indo-German cultural exchange because Murtaza Ali Khan will be curating a rare retrospective of the legendary German director Fritz Lang, who is known for films like Metropolis, M, The Testament of Dr. Mabuse, and others, for Indian audiences. In the India Habitat Centre for the German Embassy, Khan had organised and hosted a particularly special film festival in 2022 honouring the city of Berlin.
Works Of Murtaza Ali Khan
In addition, Khan has organised retrospectives and film festivals for a number of foreign embassies and cultural institutions, such as the Japan Foundation, Instituto Cervantes, Brazilian Embassy, Mexican Embassy, Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, and others. In addition, he has served on the juries of several film festivals and the National Film Awards. He teaches film history workshops on a regular basis. The book “Hindujas and Bollywood,” which chronicles the international travel of over 1200 Hindi films between the 1950s and 1980s, has been translated into English by Khan.
-Sapna Meena