Sampat Pal Devi is the residing matriarch of Uttar Pradesh, Northern India. A formidable force, her no-holds-barred attitude to Indian traditionalism is the weapon she wields to free young girls from unhappy arranged marriages and dangerous living conditions. She leads the Gulabi Gang who, clad in fuchsia saris, rail against the caste system and problems engendered in cultural customs. Kim Longinotto's insightful documentary Pink Saris shows Sampat Pal Devi absolving young "untouchable" (low caste) women, restoring the honour of their disrespected caste, and straightening out domestic issues.

Originally from a low caste herself, her partner (in life and in the movement) Babuji is a well-educated man from a higher caste, yet she is the proverbial man-of-the-house. She bestows upon herself an amount of power unheard of in Indian cultures. Her inherent control over every situation is mirrored in Longinotto's style, an observing camera taking in key angles, portraying what feels like an unedited, truthful version of events. Unfazed, the documentary's subjects seem comfortable on screen, simply "being", without performance or pretence, until Sampat's domestic cases become increasingly distressing and intense.

The Sound of Noise follows detective Amadeus, who grew up in a classicallly trained family but has the misfortune of being tone-deaf. Meanwhile, a pair of vigilante musicians, Sanna and Magnus, make their own musical magic while driving, blending live drum beats played from the back of their truck with the self-made music of its speeding engine.

When they crash, the pair come into contact with Amadeus as he is sent to investigate a ticking sound emanating from the vehicle. Finding that it's merely a metronome, he is soon hot on the tail of Sanna and Magnus who, alongside four rambunctious drummers, are implementing an ambitious plan to fill their city with the sound of noise. Black humour mingles with the frenetic energy of drum-beats in this gritty comedy, bringing verve to an otherwise flat, uninspired city. While this certainly keeps the pace, the interludes between performances wither. Contagious scenes like its opening punctuate the film, but fail to make up for an otherwise uninventive plot.

Scottish independent film company Sigma Films celebrates its 15th birthday this year at Glasgow Film Festival with a huge anniversary bash in the form of the World Premiere of David Mackenzie's You Instead.

Sigma Films was founded circa 1995 by director David Mackenzie, producer Gillian Berrie and actor Alastair Mackenzie. Between them, they production house has produced over 25 features, from their first collaborative feature, Wanting and Getting, to David Mackenzie's upcoming Perfect Sense, which stars Scottish favourites Ewan MacGregor, Ewen Bremner, and Eva Green. Both set in Glasgow, the successful career of Sigma Film is so-far bookended by home-based features.

In keeping with this exciting rosier of upcoming films, Sigma's impressive CV also includes well-known Scottish films including Young Adam, Dear Frankie, and Hallam Foe, alongside Lars Von Trier's beguiling Dogville, starring Nicole Kidman.

Sigma also works in close collaboration with Lars Von Trier's own production company, Zentropa. The Scottish-Danish Advance Party project has become well-known in Scotland in recent years. A projected trilogy, the series began with the release of Andrea Arnold's Dogme 95 style Red Road, which blended Danish filmmaking zeitgeist with gritty Glasgow locations. The project aims for every film to be made by a first-time director, filmed and set in Scotland, using the same characters and cast. Red Road was followed up late last year with Morag McKinnon's black comedy Donkeys, which also premiered here in Scotland.

You Instead, which has its World Premier here at Glasgow Film Festival on Friday (25th February), was shot on location at T in the Park in only 5 days. David Mackenzie took the reins as director, while Gillian Berrie produced and Alistair Mackenzie stars alongside Clash of the Titans star Luke Tradway, Harry Potter's Natalia Tena, and Scotland's very own Gavin Mitchell. You Instead continues the trend of innovative films shot and set in Sigma's home country, keeping the collaborative spirit alive as all three co-founders work together to create exciting Scottish film.

Debatables is a brand-new online debating platform. Powered by Quotables - http://quotabl.es - we’re raising the tone of online debate, one quote at a time. I've been working on the project alongside the fine folks at Mint Digital.

Simply go to Debatabl.es, take a look, and pick your side. Champion your opinion by submitting quotes and “support”ing those of others and you’ll see the results instantly in our unique and dynamic visualisation. Achievements are unlocked by the most passionate and vociferate debaters, and there are prizes to be won.

In celebration of our launch, we’re having a competition alongside our Oscar Debate. To be in for a chance to win Every Best Picture Oscar-Winner on DVD (that’s a stonking 82 excellent films!) all you have to do is…

1. Sign up at debatabl.es
2. That’s it!

For full Terms & Conditions, go here.

Whose side are you on? Visit Debatabl.es now to get started.

 sent over this amazing guest post on the best Valentine's Day Movies for those who don't do the typical 14th February fare. Me? I'll be watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (not because I've been dumped, but it's a favourite... promise). 


Visit Paul over at Paragraph Film Reviews for the best reviews in a single paragraph. 


What are your favourite anti-Valentine features?
So it's that time of the year when everyone's supposed to sit down with their loved ones and watch films like Ghost, Titanic, Dirty Dancing, 50 First Dates, Pretty Woman and all the rest. But here's the thing - your boyfriend doesn't want to watch these films (unless you're also participating in Steak and Blowjob Day - in which case, it's 100% your night after all, ladies)


For all the lonely hearts, recent singles, jaded couples, sociopaths and Valentine's day haters - here's a list of the perfectly appropriate but non-gushy films for all scenarios to keep your heart warm on February 14th.

Feeling ugly?

The Toxic Avenger: after a horrifying accident in which he falls into a vat of nuclear waste, a geeky weed called Melvin is left with a mutated body, gammy face, green skin and permanent pink tutu; yet one small act of kindness is all it takes for him to hook up with his dream woman!! They say love is blind, and Sarah is no exception! This my friends is a new-age beauty and the beast with enough manly stuff to keep the vomit down.



Feeing Lonely?

Hard Candy: continually failing when it comes to getting your sexual targets away from the bar and into your bed? This film has all the answers. Opening up with one man's brilliantly successful attempt at wooing his prey into his castle... watch and learn folks! Also applicable viewing if you're worried about an age gap.



Fancy your workmate?

Secretary: Always thinking about bumping uglies with that person across the room? This movie is the perfect example of all the do's and dont's of a standard inter-office romance. It shows you how to deal with the sexual frustration, horsing around,
bondage
bonding with the special one, stain removal and what not to do when sitting on your boss' chair.



Newly Single?

Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind: find out what it's like to actually erase your ex from memory... then be glad that you didn't because your wank bank would be totally empty again!



Rather be with your family?

Oldboy: If this Korean masterpiece teaches us all one thing, it's that - no matter how difficult or strange your situation is - you should always love you're family more than anything else in the world... maybe not THAT much though!



Stuck in a relationship?

Saw: Feeling like your partner has shackled you down and is making you miserable? Consider this light-hearted buddy-flick an inspirational piece of how to rid yourself of the heavy chains of an overbearing relationship... yes it hurts, but as we see from the lead character, that feeling of freedom is worth the pain.