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A week before the launch of the Toronto International Film Festival, Fox Searchlight Pictures has acquired the opening-night film, screenwriter-director Deepa Mehta's "Water." Announced by Fox Searchlight president Peter Rice, the film marks the third project in Mehta's elemental trilogy, which includes "Fire" and "Earth." " Water," set in 1938 Colonial India during Mahatma Gandhi's rise to power, has been embroiled in controversy since its inception. The film was shut down in India in 2000 because of its negative portrayal of the country. The production faced violent protests and riots by fundamentalist Hindus, and Mehta's life was threatened. It took nearly five years for the Indian filmmaker to produce in Sri Lanka under an assumed name and a shroud of secrecy. " To make 'Water' was akin to climbing Mount Everest — a hard journey," Mehta said. "Having Fox Searchlight distribute the film in the U.S. is like finding a stairway to heaven. I couldn't be more pleased." " Water" was produced by David Hamilton, who collaborated with Mehta on the first two parts of the trilogy, as well as her 2002 feature "Bollywood/Hollywood." Doug Mankoff of Echo Lake Prods. and Mark Burton of Accomplice Films executive produced the film. It was financed by David Hamilton Prods., Echo Lake Prods. and Telefilm Canada. " One of the privileges of working at an indie film company is to be able to work on something that you are in love with, that is important and is about something," Fox Searchlight marketing president Nancy Utley said. "We fell in love with 'Water.' It's so haunting and so beautiful, and we wanted to be involved with it. It will be a labor of love for everyone at Fox Searchlight." " Water" centers on an 8-year-old girl who is widowed and sent to a home where Hindu widows must live in penitence. The film stars Lisa Ray ("Bollywood/Hollywood"), Seema Biswas ("Bandit Queen") and Bollywood idol John Abraham. The 8-year-old is played by Sarala, a Sri Lankan with no previous acting experience. Mehta, who lives in Canada, is a veteran of the Toronto festival, having had "Fire," "Earth" and "Bollywood/Hollywood" screened there. Fox Searchlight executive vp Joseph De Marco and senior vp acquisitions Tony Safford brokered the deal with John Sloss of Cinetic Media and Hengameh Panahi of Celluloid Dreams. "Water" will open Nov. 4 in Canada by Mongrel Media. |
