Film Heritage Foundation Celebrates Olympic Spirit with 'Olympics in Reel Life' at NCPA

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Entertainment | October 3, 2023 | News

Film Heritage Foundation Olympics in Reel Life National Centre for the Performing Arts

The highly anticipated 'Olympics in Reel Life' – A Festival of Films and Photographs, marked its grand inauguration at the iconic National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai's Nariman Point on October 1, in the presence of Olympic Bronze medalist MC Mary Kom as the Chief Guest.  

Presented by Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) in partnership with the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, the festival has set a new benchmark in thematic showcases. It masterfully brings to life the dynamism of sports and the soul of the Olympics through a curated collection of some of the most outstanding sports documentaries and photography. This harmonious blend of sports and artistry promises to captivate attendees, unveiling its visual treasures from October 1 to 7 in Mumbai.

The evening commenced with a welcome from Khushroo N. Suntook of NCPA and an introduction by the FHF Director, Shivendra Singh Dungarpur (SSD). Additionally, Celebrated Indian Icon Amitabh Bachchan made a special virtual appearance, enriching the event with his words during the opening address, followed by an enlightening speech by Yasmin Meichtry from the Olympic Foundation.

The spirit of Olympism was truly embodied when several eminent Indian Olympians, including MC Mary Kom, Aparna Popat, Manisha Malhotra, and Anjali Bhagwat along with Farzana Cama Balpande of BookASmile, the charity initiative of BookMyShow, graced the stage for an engaging conversation moderated by SSD. Further, representatives from the Odisha government & Abhinav Bindra Foundation highlighted their innovative Olympic Based Value Education initiative in schools. The ceremony wrapped up with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Albert Almeida of NCPA.

Chief Guest Mary Kom, Olympic Bronze medal winner, former World #1 boxing champion echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the festival's holistic portrayal of the sacrifices behind sporting glory. She said, “The Olympics in Reel Life festival sheds light not just on the moment of glory but also the toil, grit and resilience that underlies any sporting endeavour, alongside highlighting the unifying capabilities of sports. And it was heartening to see sports persons and Olympic athletes celebrated for their years of relentless hard work and dedication, as well as for their achievements. Being a part of this festival brought me immense joy, and I hope to see many more such festivals in the future!”

Yasmin Meichtry, Associate Director - International Olympic Committee Culture and Heritage Department, said, “I am delighted that such a rich, wide selection of Official Films and series from the International Olympic Committee’s archives as well as the powerful work of photographers Dana Lixenberg, Lorenzo Vitturi and Poulomi Basu in the Olympism Made Visible exhibition will see the light of the day at the NCPA for a week through this exceptional festival. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Indian visitors to uncover the enduring legacy of the Olympics on film and through photographs that continue to inspire numerous Indian athletes even today.”

Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Filmmaker, Archivist, & Founder-Director of Film Heritage Foundation, emphasized the timeless emotional resonance of visual arts in preserving the spirit of the Games. He said, “We are delighted to finally lift the curtain on this muchanticipated festival that showcases the best of Olympic film heritage over a century and the culture and values of this remarkable sporting event through the extraordinary photography exhibition - Olympism Made Visible. This shows the power of the moving image both as a visual record of the world’s sporting history including the achievements of Indians at the Olympics as well as a source of inspiration and learning for future sports stars of India.”