Dave Thompson MSP

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP, Dave Thompson has been invited to speak as guest of honour, at a reception and screening of the Indian film ‘Agantuk’ (The Stranger). The event has been organised by the British Council Scotland and will take place on Saturday 24th October at 7pm in Eden Court.

Agantuk was directed by the acclaimed Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray and has been described as a ‘tour de force’. The film is a comedy which explores a family’s dilemma when a stranger turns up at their house claiming to be a long lost relative. Should they accept him and risk losing a share of their inheritance, or reject him as an impostor?

The screening is part of a year-long programme of events called Scotland-Kolkata Connections 2009 which aims to strengthen ties between Scotland and India. In November 2008 Scottish film students screened their work at the Kolkata Film Festival, while in January 2009 Scotland was the theme country at the Kolkata Book Fair with an opening address delivered by Alexander McCall Smith. The centrepiece of the 2009 Kolkata Book Fair was a specially designed Scotland pavilion which over the ten days attracted more than 580,000 visitors.

Commenting Dave said: "I am delighted to be invited to speak as guest of honour at this special screening of Agantuk, a film by one of the greatest directors of 20th century cinema. I congratulate everyone involved in organising this event, which follows on from the recent successful visit of the new Indian Consul General for Scotland and the Culture Minister of the Indian High Commission.This can only help to further strengthen the links between India and the Highlands."