6th Asian Film Festival holds ''Spectrum Asia''

Mumbai, Nov 5 (UNI) The ongoing Third Eye 6th Asian Film Festival across three venues in the city holds ''Spectrum Asia'' under which more than 30 films will be showcased.

Out of the more than 30 films a few of them are 'Lord Krishna Dances under Kadamba Tree' which is about the socio cultural aspect of Vaishnavite religion created by the saint Sri Sankardev more than 500 years ago in North East India, 'The Fascination', 'Tale of a River', 'Sunday Afternoon', 'Alone' ,'Silent Honour', 'Beyond the Mind', 'Good Bye Life','Gradually' and 'The Clay Bird' The Clay Bird'' which is directed by Tareque Masud, is set against the backdrop of the troubled period in the 1960's leading to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan. The film tells the story of a family torn apart by religion and war. Based on the director's own childhood this film follows a young boy Anu who is sent off to a strict Islamic school or madarasa by his religious father Kazi.

Film experts and critics say, ''The Clay Bird won several awards internationally but was initially banned in Bangladesh on the grounds that it dealt with sensitive religious issues. The ban was repealed and the DVD version was released on April 2005.

The film also became Bangladesh's first film to compete for the Academy awards in Best Foreign Language Film Category.'' UNI