Many cities have been called ‘City of Dreams’ but few deserve the title as much as Bombay/Mumbai.

Many cities have been called ‘City of Dreams’ but few deserve the title as much as Bombay/Mumbai. Like Hollywood/Los Angeles it is renowned as the home of ‘Bollywood’, the Hindi popular film industry, but it is also, like New York, a ‘Gateway’ to India and Indian cultures with its landmark building now just over a hundred years old, commemorating the arrival of George V, ‘Emperor of India’ in 1911 – and the departure of the British in 1948. In effect, Mumbai is the gateway to the modern world for thousands of Indians from all parts of the country looking for a ‘better life’.

Our main focus will be two of the latest ‘independent’ films set in Mumbai, both directed by women. Songs of Forgotten Trees (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37660512/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_songs%20of%20) (2025) sees two women, migrants to Mumbai, sharing a room and creating a space together cocooned from the noise of the city. This film will be shown in full. Director Anuparna Roy is from West Bengal. All We Imagine as Light (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32086077/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_in_0_q_all%20we%20im) (2024) also deals with migrants to the city. Director Payal Kapadia was born in Mumbai but her characters are from Kerala. This film will be presented in one or more long extracts.

Mumbai might be the capital of Hindi popular film but many other languages are spoken by the many migrants pursuing their dreams. We will support our two focus films with extracts from significant Mumbai films such as Bombay Talkies (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2797242/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_6_nm_2_in_0_q_bombay%20talkies)(2013), Mumbai Meri Jaan (Mumbai, My Life, 2008), Salaam Bombay (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096028/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_2_nm_4_in_0_q_Salaam%20Bombay) (1988) and others. Not surprisingly, Mumbai is the setting for many Indian films of all kinds.

Tea and coffee will be available, for a small donation, and you are welcome to bring your own lunch.

Tickets are available online and on the door but due to limited places, please let us know if you are planning to buy your ticket on the door.

Description supplied by the event organiser.