Matterden Film Centre plans to release Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet at the time of Haider release

Deepak Theatre in Lower Parel

The Matterden Film Centre came into being when its founder Pranav Ashar and a few like-minded people felt the need to showcase good cinema, that includes not only rare classics from across the country and world, but also give a boost to independent film-makers who find it difficult to get a commercial release. While, the newly-furbished Deepak Theatres situated in the heart of Mumbai, in Lower Parel was selected by Matterden to become the new hub for cinelovers, Ashar says they have plans to start Matterden Centre throughout the country. Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves was the inaugural film screened on July 11 this year, at the theatre, followed by a slate of rare classics, prominent among them being Akira Kurosava’s Roshomon. Among its future plans, the centre is looking to release the original Hamlet by Laurence Olivier coinciding with the Shahid Kapoor starrer Haider
“This is a proper Film Centre, on the lines of the IFC in the USA. Besides, members of the Enlighten Film Society as well as the general public can enjoy the cinematic experience. We release one new film every week which is shown during the prime time viewing at 7 pm,” said Asher. Plans to screen independent films in two to three weeks are also on the anvil. “We shall release independent films that find it difficult to get a commercial release, silent movies with live music and several other programmes have been lined up in the future,” reveals Ashar adding proudly, “This is the first art-house theatre in India.”