The Cloud Door

The Cloud Door Hindi , German Die Himmelspforte is a 1994 short IndoGerman dramatic film, directed by acclaimed Indian director Mani Kaul and featuring Hindu erotic literary themes. The film was produced by the German producer Regina Ziegler. The Cloud Door was featured along with other short films such as Susan Seidelmans The Dutch Master and Ken Russells The Insatiable Mrs. Kirsch, as a part of Ziegler Films compilation of short erotic films called Erotic Tales.

The Cloud Door has plenty of humorous and sensual imagery and flows like a folk tale. Mani Kaul drew upon three literary sources for it the Sanskrit play Avimaraka, written by Bhsa around 5th7th century the Sufi epic love poem Padmavat, written by Mohammed Jayasi in the 13th century and the erotic Indian tales Suksapiti.In January 1995, The Cloud Door was screened once for the public at the International Film Festival of India as part of the Erotic Tales program. Kaul, known for his aesthetic work, had never previously made an Indian erotic film, despite the countrys rich history of erotic folk art and literature. The singlescreening of the film caused an uproar due to its erotic nature and onscreen nudity, and resulted in the police being called in to prevent rioting. An extra screening, exclusively for the press, was held later at a different venue. The film was also screened at the Munich Film Festival, Locarno International Film Festival, New York Film Festival and the Robert Flaherty Film Seminar. ........

Source: Wikipedia