Rama Krishna Sangem
Murtaza Ali Khan, noted Indian film critic and curator, was invited by the Federal Republic of Germany to attend the prestigious 74th Berlin International Film Festival. As a distinguished guest of the Federal Republic of Germany, Khan’s participation underscored the strong cultural ties between India and Germany. The festival was held in Berlin from 15 – 25 February, 2024.
Hosted by the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany through its Visitors Programme, Khan’s attendance at the Berlinale presented a unique opportunity for him to engage with various luminaries from the global cinema industry. During his visit, Khan got a firsthand taste of the vibrant culture of Germany, he said in a press release.
His itinerary included visits to prominent institutions such as Deutsche Kinemathek – Museum für Film und Fernsehen, Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf, Federal Foreign Office, and Goethe-Institut Berlin. Additionally, Khan participated in events organized by Berlinale Talents and engaged in discussions on film financing and location promotion.
The Berlin International Film Festival, established in 1951, is renowned for its rich history and serves as a vital platform for intercultural exchange and critical exploration of societal issues. Khan’s presence at the festival as a critic, cultural writer, and curator further enhances the dialogue between India and Germany, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to fostering global understanding through cinema.
Khan to curate rare retrospective
Murtaza Ali Khan’s participation in the Berlin International Film Festival holds special significance for Indo-German cultural exchange as Khan is set to curate a rare retrospective for the Indian audiences based on the legendary German filmmaker Fritz Lang known for films such as Metropolis, M, The Testament of Dr. Mabuse, etc. Back in 2022, Khan had curated and presented a very unique film festival dedicated to the city of Berlin at the India Habitat Centre for the Embassy of Germany.
Khan has also curated film festivals and retrospectives for various other embassies and cultural centres, including for the Embassy of Brazil, Embassy of Mexico, Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, Instituto Cervantes, and The Japan Foundation, among others. He has also served on the jury of various film festivals as well as the National Film Awards. He regularly conducts workshops on film history. Khan has translated the book ‘Hindujas and Bollywood,’ about the global journey of over 1200 Hindi films from 1950s to 1980s, into English.
