With a packed auditorium of movie enthusiasts and people from film industry, the ‘Oscars 2010,' a festival of American films that were either nominated for or won the Oscars this year, got under way here on Monday.
The auditorium swelled rapidly as people kept flowing in to watch the opening film ‘A Serious Man,' directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen.
“The Coen brothers are one of the most influential filmmakers in the U.S. They have made many dark comedies and this movie is arguably one of their masterpieces,” said U. S. Consul-General in Chennai Andrew T.Simkin, speaking at the inauguration of the festival.
Mr.Simkin said screening of films that entered the Oscars had always evoked an overwhelming response from film-lovers.
The Consulate has been popularising the films by selecting the best films for such festivals.
The four-day festival will also screen other popular movies including ‘Julie and Julia' starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams; Brad Pitt-starrer ‘Inglorious Bastards,' which won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor; and an animated film ‘Up,' which won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Film and Best Original Score.
Actor Priya Mani inaugurated the festival, which is being organised by the U.S. Consulate General, Chennai, Indo-Cine Appreciation Foundation and the Madras Film Society.
The films will be screened daily at 6.30 p.m. till April 22 at the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce theatre.
