The 4th annual Chicago South Asian Film Festival kicked off yesterday and I was there to witness it in all its glory during the opening night, red carpet reception which took place at the Showplace Icon Theater (150 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago).

This year’s festival celebrates Indian cinema’s centenary and instead of kicking off the opening night film with a Bollywood-esque flick, CSAFF opted for a controversial movie by director Abhinav Shiv Tiwari that highlighted the dark world of child trafficking. The film, ‘OASS’ marked its US premiere in Chicago.
Inspired by a true story, the film based on a young girl, Kiku who was taken from her village and sold to a brothel in Delhi, took six years in the making and when you watch it you’ll understand why.
The horrific images of abuse, corruption, murder and greed set against heartache and a young girl’s determination to flee her hell are all believable scenes because they have all been influenced by the true narratives of survivors. Filming in actual brothels also adds to the film’s 'in-ya-face' realism.

When asked how he was able to get these narratives, Tiwari said it was through the help of NGO’s and local police. In a Q&A after the screening, Twani stated his aim with the film was to bring to light the horrors of trafficking to audiences. He went on to explain that these crimes against children which middle classes across the globe don’t see, are alive due to the supply and demand of the corrupt world we live in.
The brilliant casts of actors in the film are Dibya Chhetri, Priyanka Bose, Yashpal Sharma to name a few.
To view the lineup of shorts, documentaries and features log onto: http://csaff.org
The weekend will host a number of panels and Q&A sessions with filmmakers as well as an after party taking place tonight at The Castle – Sanctuary.
The film festival venues are: the Showplace Icon Theaters and Film Row Cinema at Columbia College and individual screenings run $15 US.
Don't miss out on CSAFF 2013, get to a screening today!
Feature Image: CSAFF Festival Director Amit Rana with ANOKHI MEDIA's VP of Consumer Engagement, Monika Bhondy
pics courtesy of Monika Bhondy

Monika Bhondy
Author
Monika Bhondy (@monikabhondy) is one of the original editors at ANOKHI. She wore many hats through the developmental years including creating the first Holiday Gift Guide as The Style Editor, putting down the first building blocks of ANOKHI's global blog community, handling the video department and ...
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