Renowned Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce was conferred the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Cinema at the grand closing ceremony of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
In his acceptance speech, Noyce reminisced about his first encounter with Indian cinema during a visit to Mumbai in 1978.
“What an experience it was! It felt as though I was watching films for the very first time. The Indian audience is unlike any other–fully immersed in the emotion of the film, as though they were part of it. There is nothing like the Indian audience,” he said, reflecting on the unique energy of Indian moviegoers.
Noyce also acknowledged the global significance of Indian cinema, emphasizing its stature as the world’s largest producer of feature films annually, a point highlighted in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting’s press release.
Paying tribute to the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, Noyce remarked:
“Growing up in Australia, we were all inspired by the work of Satyajit Ray. I have drawn from his approach in my own work, particularly when casting. Like Ray, when I couldn’t find indigenous Australian actors for my films, I looked to cast real people who could simply be themselves.”
He expressed his enduring gratitude to Ray, stating, “In the world of Australian cinema, we filmmakers owe a debt to Satyajit Ray that goes far beyond any award. His influence continues to guide and inspire us.”
Looking ahead, Noyce shared his vision for the future of filmmaking, rooted in Ray’s philosophy:
“We must once again turn to Satyajit Ray’s cinematic philosophy: Less is more. As technology evolves, so must we. Let movies become smaller and ideas get bigger. That, I believe, is the future of cinema.”
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Noyce also commended IFFI Festival Director Shekhar Kapur for his remarkable contributions to global cinema, calling him an inspiration to filmmakers worldwide.
Known for his gripping storytelling and culturally rich narratives, Phillip Noyce’s illustrious career spans films like Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, Salt, The Saint, The Bone Collector, and many others. His collaborations with celebrated actors such as Harrison Ford, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Denzel Washington, and Michael Caine have cemented his legacy in the film industry.
Among his accolades are the AACTA Awards and the prestigious Longford Lyell Lifetime Achievement Award, honouring his profound influence on both Australian and international cinema.
The Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, instituted by IFFI, is a prestigious international honor recognizing individuals whose exceptional contributions have enriched global cinema. Previous recipients include cinematic icons like Martin Scorsese, Bernardo Bertolucci, Dilip Kumar, Carlos Saura, Krzysztof Zanussi, Wong Kar-wai, and Michael Douglas, as noted in the press release.
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