IIC Film Club

Ivan The Terrible — Part II: The Boyars’ Plot
(Completed 1946, released 1958; 82 min; Black-and-white with colour sequences; Russian with English subtitles)
Director: Sergei Eisenstein
Music: Sergei Prokofiev

With cast Nikolay Cherkasov, Serafima Birman and Pavel Kadochnikov

Returning to Moscow, Ivan confronts conspiracies within his court and opposition from the Church. As suspicion deepens, his pursuit of absolute authority draws him into a world of vengeance and political manipulation. Banned by Soviet authorities until 1958, the concluding film offers a dark examination of tyranny, distinguished by its dramatic imagery and celebrated colour banquet sequence.

IIC Film Club

Ivan The Terrible — Part I
(1945; 95 min; Black-and-white; Russian with English subtitles)
Director: Sergei Eisenstein
Music: Sergei Prokofiev

With Cast Nikolay Cherkasov, Lyudmila Tselikovskaya and Serafima Birman

Recipient of the Stalin Prize for Part I in 1946

The first part of Eisenstein’s historical epic follows Ivan IV’s coronation and his determination to unite Russia under a powerful monarchy. Confronted by hostile nobles, military challenges and personal betrayal, the young Tsar struggles to consolidate his authority. Striking compositions and Prokofiev’s score bring this exploration of ambition, loyalty and power to life.Wednesday 14

FILM FESTIVAL 
Stories on Screen
A Festival of films of Indian and international films brings together landmark classics, acclaimed contemporary works and enduring cinematic favourites.

(Collaboration: National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC); National Film Archive of India (NFDC); Film Heritage Foundation; Video Palace; Sanjay Jain Presentation)

TALKS, DISCUSSIONS, POETRY READINGS

Wildlife Conservation in Contemporary India

Panellists: Mike Pandey, Indian Film maker and Conservationist; Dipankar Ghose, Senior Director, Biodiversity Conservation at WWF-India; and Purnima Devi Barman, Wildlife Biologist.

Moderator: Bahar Dutt, Environmental editor and columnist.

This will be preceded by screening of short films by Mike Pandey

Classical Vocal Recital
Prakriti ka Sangeet

By Kalapini Komkali, distinguished Hindustani classical vocalist. Awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2023 for her contribution to Indian classical music.
Accompanied by Shambhunath Bhattacharya on Tabla; Chetan Nigam on Harmonium; Akshay Mohan on Dholak

Chief Guest: Anita Singh, Musicologist and Art Historian.

Rukkha, Rakkha, Yakkha: Foundational Evidence for Tree Worship in Indian Art
Keynote Address by Naman P. Ahuja, Professor, School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

Chair: Shyam Saran, President, IIC
 

Yamuna – Life Eternal
An evening celebrating the river through music, song and dance-drama performance

Narration and Choreography: Padma Shri Kathak Guru Shovana Narayan as Yamuna; Music and Vocals: Shoma Banerjee
Visuals, Concept and Direction: K. N. Saifullah; Script and Visuals: Tarini Sharma; Dance: Asavari Centre for Kathak

(Collaboration: The Mountain Climate Trust)
 

Leo from Chicago 
Discover the people and places that shaped Pope Leo XIV
(2026;52 minutes; English)
A film by journalists: Deborah Castellano Lubov, Salvatore Cernuzio and Felipe Herrera-Espaliat
Produced by: The Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Apostolado El Sembrador Nueva Evangelización (ESNE)

The film explores the early life of Pope Leo XIV through the memories of his brothers, teachers, classmates and friends. From his childhood in Dolton to his formation as an Augustinian, the documentary introduces the family relationships, communities and experiences that shaped Robert Francis Prevost’s religious vocation.

(Collaboration: Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness The Dalai Lama)
 

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

From Manuscript to Memory: India’s Contribution to UNESCO Memory of the World Programme by Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur and Dr. Mayank Shekhar (IGNCA 2026)

Safeguarding Living Heritage: India’s Contribution to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and UNESCO Creative Cities Network by Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur, Dr. Arhana Lochan, Ms. Ashna Kumar and Mr. Mayank Singh. (IGNCA 2026)

Tangible and Natural Heritage Sites of Incredible India: India’s Contributions to the UNESCO World Heritage List by Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur and Mr. Sadhish Sharma (IGNCA 2026)

Chair:  Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA

Discussants: Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture (TBC); K. K. Aggarwal, President, South Asian University (TBC); Tim Curtis, Director and Representative, UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia; Sandhya Purecha, Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi; Yadubir Singh Rawat, Director General, Archaeological Survey of India; Ramesh C. Gaur, Dean, Faculty of Arts Media and Design, South Asian University & Author of the book.

FOLK DANCE AND MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Echoes of Mizo and Manipuri Tradition
Traditional dance holds a special place in Mizo culture, reflecting the community’s history, celebrations, values, and strong sense of togetherness. Accompanied by traditional music and rhythmic movements, these dances have been passed down through generations as a cherished means of celebrating and preserving cultural heritage.

Hnahsin brings this rich heritage to the stage through a vibrant presentation featuring Khual Lam; Buhza Aih Cheraw; Chheih Lam; Hmar Cheraw

Presented by Ruati, Zopuii, ⁠Sweety, ⁠Krishnani, ⁠Anisha, ⁠Duati, Filip, ⁠Dhakeshwor, ⁠Jonathan, ⁠Rahul, ⁠Mandy & ⁠Zuala from Delhi

(Collaboration:  NCZCC, Prayagraj, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India)